Markets continue to digest recent escalations in the trade negotiations between the U.S. and China, as the White House moved to blacklist Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from conducting business in the U.S. The developments weighed on the technology sector, which outperformed only the energy sector amid a sharp drop in oil prices. While recent headlines have unsettled markets, the S&P 500 index remains less than 5% from its most recent all-time high. On the economic front, weak readings of U.S. manufacturing activity and durable goods orders are signaling that the U.S. economy is not immune to the trade dispute, despite solid economic growth. Turning to monetary policy, the Federal Open Market Committee minutes released on Wednesday showed most officials think a patient approach to future monetary policy is appropriate given muted inflationary pressure and moderate economic growth. “It’s tough to make a case for lower rates with over 3% gross domestic product growth, healthy wage growth, and a labor market close to full employment,” said LPL Research Chief Investment Strategist John Lynch. “If consumer inflation picks up, the U.S. economy will be near full employment with healthy inflation across the board, fulfilling the Fed’s dual mandate.”
While U.S.-China trade news has dominated the headlines, across the pond in Europe, Brexit negotiations have re- entered the spotlight as UK Prime Minister Teresa May announced her official resignation will be June 7 after failing to negotiate a satisfactory deal to both her party and the EU. Back in March, the deadline for completion of a deal for the UK’s departure from the European Union was postponed until October, and a party vote for a new Prime Minster could take time. Pro-Brexit MP Boris Johnson appears to be the early favorite.
The observance of Memorial Day shortens the week ahead, although key economic releases are on the docket, with core Personal Consumption Expenditures headlining the U.S. calendar. Overseas, consumer confidence indexes are slated for release in Japan and the composite Eurozone. Track these and other important events on our Weekly Global Economic & Policy Calendar.
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