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On September 11th, the preliminary reading of the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index for September came in at 47.8, marking the second consecutive monthly decline, though the drop was less than 4 points. Both Democrats and Republicans saw significant declines, while independents remained largely unchanged from August. Expectations for personal finances and business conditions over the next year fell sharply. With rebounding fuel prices and escalating trade tensions, consumers anticipate greater pressure on their wallets in the future. Five-year expectations for business conditions remained stable, but the reading was well below historical averages, suggesting that consumers believe the new risks emerging this month may not further worsen the long-term outlook. Overall, consumer confidence is currently 16% lower than before the start of the Iran conflict in February and 13% lower than a year ago. Inflation expectations for the next year jumped to 4.6% this month from 4.0% last month, the highest reading since June. The current reading significantly exceeds the 3.4% in February before the Iran conflict and also surpasses all readings for 2024. Long-term inflation expectations rose slightly to 3.4%, ending three consecutive months at 3.3%. These expectations remain above the 2.8% to 3.2% range for 2024.The preliminary reading for the U.S. five- to ten-year inflation rate in September was 3.4%, compared to a forecast of 3.3% and a previous reading of 3.30%.The preliminary reading for the US one-year inflation rate in September was 4.6%, down from the expected 4.2% and the previous reading of 4.00%.The preliminary reading of the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index for September was 47.8, below the expected 51 and the previous reading of 51.7.The preliminary reading of the University of Michigan Current Conditions Index for September was 50.9, below the expected 51.3 and the previous reading of 51.9.

WTI crude oil drifts above $80.00 amidst a US Dollar rebound and supply shortage concerns

Alina Haynes

Apr 10, 2023 14:16

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In the early hours of Monday, purchasers of WTI crude oil struggled to maintain the price above $80.70 as risk aversion and hawkish Fed forecasts bolstered the US Dollar. However, threats to Oil supplies, primarily emanating from China and OPEC+, appear to keep purchasers of black gold optimistic.

 

US Dollar Index (DXY) reverses a four-day downtrend near 102.25 despite the inability of US Treasury bond yields to recover due to recession concerns. However, US 10-year and 2-year Treasury bond yields remain under pressure near 3.37 percent and 3.95 percent, respectively. In doing so, the benchmark bond coupons extend the previous day's losses and illustrate the market's flight to protection in response to concerns of an economic decline.

 

In spite of this, the recent disappointing US data reignite concerns of a recession in the world's largest economy and challenge the optimists in the energy sector. However, the positive US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data enabled Fed hawks to return to the table and renew demands for a 0.25 percentage point rate hike in May. The same constrains the value of the US dollar and stimulates demand for WTI crude oil.

 

On the other hand, geopolitical concerns surrounding China, particularly after the dragon nation's military exercises near Taiwan, combine with last week's unexpected OPEC+ production cut to keep Oil purchasers optimistic.

 

China's willingness to defend the global economy through robust monetary and fiscal easing at home also enables Oil purchasers to maintain optimism in the face of optimism among the world's largest Oil consumers.

 

The Easter Monday holiday in spot markets may limit Oil price movements, but the investors appear to be out of steam, so US inflation and Fed Minutes will be closely monitored for signs of a pullback.