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Europe Roundup: Euro dips coronavirus outbreak’s pace sparks new fears, European shares slump, Gold jumps over 2%, Oil prices drop 4%-February 24th,2020

Market Roundup

• German Feb Business Expectations 93.4, 92.2 forecast, 92.9 previous

• German Feb Current Assessment 98.9, 98.6 forecast, 99.2 previous

• German Feb Ifo Business Climate Index 96.1, 95.3 forecast, 96.0 previous

Looking Ahead - Economic Data (GMT) 
   
• 13:30 US Jan Chicago Fed National Activity  -0.92 forecast, -0.35 previous  
 
• 13:30 Canada Dec Wholesale Sales (MoM)  0.5%, -1.2% previous

• 15:30 US Feb Dallas Fed Mfg Business Index -0.2 previous

• 18:00 Brazil CAGED Net Payroll Jobs -307.31K previous

Looking Ahead - Economic events and other releases (GMT)

• UK BoE MPC Member Haldane Speech
    
Fx Beat

EUR/USD: The euro edged lower   against dollar on Monday, as the rapid spread of the coronavirus outside China drove investors to the safety of the U.S. dollar. The euro weakened 0.3% to $1.0826, close to last week's level of $1.0778 a nearly three-year low. The dollar index gained 0.1% to 99.562, remaining close to its highs of 99.915 touched last week. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.0845 (11 DMA), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.0926 (21 DMA).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.0780 (20th Feb low), a break below could take the pair towards 1.0700 (Psychological level).

GBP/USD: Sterling slipped for the fourth straight day against the dollar on Monday as rising fears about the economic impact from the spreading coronavirus encouraged investors to seek safety in the U.S. dollar. The British pound dropped along with most currencies as investors scrambled out of assets deemed riskier for the dollar . By 1236 GMT, the pound was 0.4% lower at $1.2898, reversing most of Friday’s gains. Immediate resistance can be seen at 1.2967 (9 DMA), an upside break can trigger rise towards 1.3004 (30 DMA).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.2837 (Lower BB), a break below could take the pair towards 1.2800 (Psychological level).

USD/CHF: The dollar declined against the Swiss franc on Monday, as a jump in coronavirus cases in Italy, South Korea, Japan and Iran sent investors scrambling to the security of safe haven assets. The virus has now killed 2,592 people in China, which has reported 77,150 cases, and spread to some 28 other countries and territories, with a death toll outside of China. At (GMT 13:07), Greenback dipped 0.01% versus the Swiss franc to 0.9794. Immediate resistance can be seen at 0.9815 (5 DMA), an upside break can trigger rise towards 0.9851 (Higher BB).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 0.9757 (21 DMA), a break below could take the pair towards 0.9700 (Psychological level).

USD/JPY: The dollar dipped against the Japanese yen on Monday, as rapid spread of the coronavirus outside China drove fears of a pandemic and sent investors flocking to Japanese yen. The rapid spread of the coronavirus outside China drove Italy, South Korea and Iran posted sharp rises in infections over the weekend. South Korea now has more than 760 cases, Italy more than 150 and Iran 43 cases. The World Health Organization said it was worried about the growing number without any clear link to the epicentre of the outbreak in China. Strong resistance can be seen at 111.71 (23.6% Fib), an upside break can trigger rise towards 112.23 (Feb 20th high ).On the downside, immediate support is seen at 111.08 (50% Fib), a break below could take the pair towards 110.81  (61.8% Fib). 

Equities Recap

A jump in number of coronavirus cases outside China hit European shares on Monday, as investors feared the outbreak will take a bigger toll on global growth than anticipated.

At (GMT 12:38),UK's benchmark FTSE 100 was last trading lower at 3.28 percent, Germany's Dax was down by 3.69 percent, France’s CAC was last down by 3.70 percent.

Commodities Recap

Gold prices climbed more than 2% on Monday to their highest since February 2013, as spikes in coronavirus cases in several countries outside China deepened worries about a hit to the global economic growth, prompting a flight to safe havens.  
  
Spot gold was up 1.2% at $1,663.06 per ounce by 0517 GMT, after climbing to $1,678.58 earlier in the session. U.S. gold futures rose 1% to 1,665.

Oil prices fell 4% on Monday, as the rapid spread of the coronavirus in countries outside China added to investor concerns about the impact on demand.

Brent crude was down $2.37, or 4.1%, to $56.13 barrel by 1145 GMT. U.S. crude futures fell by $2.08, or 3.9%, to $51.30.

Treasuries Recap

U.S.: The U.S. Treasuries gained during Monday’s afternoon session amid a muted trading session that witnessed data of little economic significance. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield plunged 7-1/2 basis points to 1.394 percent, the super-long 30-year bond yield also slumped 7-1/2 basis points to trade at 1.843 percent and the yield on the short-term 2-year lost nearly 7 basis points to 1.282 percent.

UK: The United Kingdom’s surged during European trading hours Monday ahead of the country’s 10-year auction, scheduled to be held on February 25 by 10:45GMT and a host of speeches by members of the Bank of England’s (BoE) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), all due to be delivered through this week, for further direction in the debt market. The yield on the benchmark 10-year gilts, plunged 7 basis points to 0.524 percent, the 30-year yield slumped 6 basis points to 0.946 percent and the yield on the short-term 2-year lost nearly 5-1/2 basis points to 0.407 percent.

EUR: The German bunds jumped during afternoon session of the first trading day of the week Monday even as the country’s Ifo business climate index for the month of February came in better than market expectations. However, eyes still remain on Germany’s gross domestic product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2019, scheduled to be released on February 25 by 07:00GMT. The German 10-year bond yield, which moves inversely to its price, plunged nearly 6 basis points to -0.490 percent, the long-term 30-year yield slumped 6-1/2 basis points to -0.019 percent and the yield on short-term 2-year suffered 4 basis points to trade at -0.680 percent.
 

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