Investment
U.S. Futures Drop, Bonds Up on Second-Wave Worries: Markets Wrap

(Bloomberg) — U.S. futures retreated along with Asian shares and the dollar climbed against major peers as investors gauged the danger of a second wave of coronavirus infections.
S&P 500 futures were down about 1.5%. Stocks in Hong Kong saw the bulk of selling, with losses also in Australia, Japan and South Korea. Declines were pared after key Chinese data showed some signs of economic improvement. More than 20 U.S. states are seeing a pick-up in cases, Tokyo reported a jump over the weekend and a fresh outbreak in Beijing prompted officials to close a market there. Second-wave concerns had pummeled shares on Thursday before a modest rebound Friday. Crude oil prices slid, and Treasuries climbed.
“The risk is that, globally, we get a second wave,” said Chris Iggo, the chief investment officer for core investments at AXA Investment Managers. “Now is the time to have that long-duration bond exposure in the portfolio.”
Key Chinese data on Monday showed signs of progress, albeit a bumpy path, as the world’s second-biggest economy recovers. Retail sales and industrial output were marginally weaker than expectations in May, but still showed a pick up from the previous month. Officials moved a press briefing online due to the latest virus outbreak in Beijing.
These are some key events coming up:
- Policy decisions from the Bank of Japan, Bank of England and the Swiss National Bank are due this week.
- China on Monday releases industrial production and retail sales data for May.
- CBOE plans to open its trading floor, which has been electronic only since March 16.
- Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell delivers his semi-annual policy report to Congress.
These are some of the main moves in markets:
Stocks
- S&P 500 futures fell 1.3% as of 12:15 p.m. in Tokyo. The S&P 500 advanced 1.3% on Friday.
- Japan’s Topix index was down 0.1%.
- Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.8%.
- Kospi Index dropped 0.4%.
- Shanghai Composite lost 0.2%.
- Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index, which tumbled almost 5% the previous two sessions, was down 0.5%.
- Euro Stoxx 50 futures retreated 0.7%.
Currencies
- The yen edged up 0.2% to 107.21 per dollar.
- The offshore yuan slipped 0.1% to 7.0860 per dollar.
- The euro was at $1.1256.
- The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index rose 0.1%.
Bonds
- The yield on 10-year Treasuries fell about three basis points to 0.67%.
- Australia’s 10-year yield fell four basis points to 0.87%.
Commodities
- West Texas Intermediate crude dropped 2.6% to $35.31 a barrel.
- Gold was at $1,729.65 an ounce, little changed.
-
OER Magazines2 months ago
OER, July 25
-
Alamaliktistaad Magazines2 months ago
Al-Iktisaad, July 25
-
News2 months ago
OpenAI Strengthens ChatGPT’s Mental Health Safeguards Ahead of GPT-5 Launch
-
Energy2 months ago
SOHAR Port and Freezone Signs MoU to Develop Natural Hydrogen Value Chain in Oman
-
OER Magazines3 weeks ago
Dossier – ToP 25 Personalities 2025
-
Banking & Finance2 months ago
Strong Performance and Strategic Approach: ahlibank announces Its Financial Results for the First Half of 2025
-
Economy2 months ago
Najla Zuhair Al Jamali Appointed President of bp Oman
-
News1 month ago
Ooredoo Wins Silver Stevie® Award for Diversity and Inclusion Excellence