FTSE 100 stumbles but Dax and S&P 500 keep rising

Chris Beauchamp IG

Investors await news of the French government this afternoon, while watching the year’s strong performers make yet new highs, says Chris Beauchamp, Chief Market Analyst at online trading platform IG.

FTSE 100 edges back after strong run

The FTSE 100 has enjoyed a decent couple of weeks, but it looks like it has run out of momentum for the moment. A dearth of corporate news isn’t helping matters either. Meanwhile, investors can be forgiven for focusing on France, where the prime minister faces the likely collapse of his government.

While the CAC40 has managed to struggle higher of late, the contrast with a soaring Dax could not be more stark. The latter index has gained over 20% this year, but it is perhaps more a story of French weakness than overall German strength. Certainly, the German economy continues to struggle, but it is political turmoil and the travails of the luxury sector that has hobbled its Gallic counterpart’s stock market.

Semiconductor names show signs of life

Having notably underperformed the broader US indices of late, it might be the turn of semiconductor stocks to lead the drive to fresh highs once more. It’s not as if US indices have needed much help given the latest record highs, but with the Fed continuing to ease policy, the environment for the classic risk-on sector seems to be getting brighter.

Author

Chris Beauchamp

EUR/USD off highs, back to around 1.1900

EUR/USD keeps its strong bid bias in place despite recedeing to the 1.1900 zone following earlier peaks north of 1.1900 the figure on Monday. The US Dollar remains under pressure, as traders stay on the sidelines ahead of Wednesday’s key January jobs report, leaving the pair room to extend its upward trend for now.

GBP/USD hits three-day peaks, targets 1.3700

GBP/USD is clocking decent gains at the start of the week, advancing to three-day highs near 1.3670 and building on Friday’s solid performance. The better tone in the British Pound comes on the back of the intense sekk-off in the Greenback and despite re-emerging signs of a fresh government crisis in the UK.

Gold picks up pace, retargets $5,100

Gold gathers fresh steam, challenging daily highs en route to the $5,100 mark per troy ounce in the latter part of Monday’s session. The precious metal finds support from fresh signs of continued buying by the PBoC, while expectations that the Fed could lean more dovish also collaborate with the uptick.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin steadies around $70,000, Ethereum and XRP remain under pressure

Bitcoin hovers around $70,000, up near 15% from last week's low of $60,000 despite low retail demand. Ethereum delicately holds $2,000 support as weak technicals weigh amid declining futures Open Interest. XRP seeks support above $1.40 after facing rejection at $1.54 during the previous week's sharp rebound.

Japanese PM Takaichi nabs unprecedented victory – US data eyed this week

I do not think I would be exaggerating to say that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s snap general election gamble paid off over the weekend – and then some. This secured the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) an unprecedented mandate just three months into her tenure.

Ripple exposed to volatility amid low retail interest, modest fund inflows

Ripple (XRP) is extending its intraday decline to around $1.40 at the time of writing on Monday amid growing pressure from the retail market and risk-off sentiment that continues to keep investors on the sidelines.