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Our team compiles this daily market report from global sources to highlight key market updates and what they mean for your investment portfolio.
Dow Jones S&P-500 Nasdaq
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The Update: U.S. stocks ended a shade higher on Tuesday following softer-than-expected labor market data that reaffirmed expectations of an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve. Data on Tuesday showed that U.S. job openings fell to their lowest level in more than three years in April. Megacap technology stocks, including Amazon.com, Alphabet, Nvidia and Microsoft, ended higher after losing ground early in the session. Oil giants Exxon Mobil and Chevron fell 1.6% and 0.8%, respectively, as demand concerns weighed on crude prices. Source: Reuters
The Impact: US government bond yields tumbled on Tuesday after data showed that US job openings fell more than expected in April, before highly anticipated jobs data on Friday may give fresh clues on US Federal Reserve policy. Market expectations for a September rate reduction now stand around 65%, versus below 50% last week, according to the CME's FedWatch tool. Source: Reuters, CommSec
European markets closed lower Tuesday, as positive momentum from the past few days faltered. The pan-European Stoxx 600 provisionally closed 0.5% lower, with all major bourses and most sectors in the red. Mining stocks lost 2.3% while health-care stocks were the biggest gainer, adding 0.8%. Source: CNBC
UK M&A activity has hit a bit of a slump according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics. The report outlined 426 M&A transactions for Q1, including just 100 in March, which was 18 fewer than the previous quarter. The underlying cause of the downturn was a steep decline in foreign interest in acquiring UK companies, with deal volumes dropping ~40% in that category. With an upcoming election, it is likely that Q2 won’t be much better. However, with inflation under control and rate cuts on the horizon, there is reason to hope for a turn of the tides come Q3.
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