Financial Markets Daily Report31 julio 2020
During a busy day for economic data releases, investors digested the record-low GDP growth figures in the US and Germany and demand for safe-haven assets rose.
- During a busy day for economic data releases, investors digested the record-low GDP growth figures in the US and Germany and demand for safe-haven assets rose. US GDP plunged in Q2 by 9.5% qoq (-1.3% in Q1), a record fall since the Great Depression, while in Germany the GDP contracted by 10.1% qoq in the same period.
- Despite the fact that these figures were similar to what the consensus expected, stock indices declined by more than 2% in the euro area, while the fall in the US was compensated by better-than-expected earnings releases from technology companies.
- Yields on sovereign bonds declined on both sides of the Atlantic and euro area peripheral spreads edged up. In FX markets the euro extended its gains and fluctuated above $1.18.
- July's Spanish HICP inflation decreased to -0.6% (-0.3% in June), driven by lower prices in the tourism sector.