US markets closed lower in trading yesterday as investors continued to monitor developments in the Middle East with concern. All three of the major indices lost ground on the day after Services PMI data came in higher than expected.
Treasury yields and the dollar both pushed higher after the US data, but the big moves came in Oil as traders started to price in the threat to supply if the conflict in the Middle East does intensify, both Brent and WTI surging over 5% on the day.
Traders continue to monitor geo-political risks today as we progress through the sessions, but the big focus will be on the key US employment data later in the day.
| Market | Change | Close |
| Dow | -0.44% | 42,011 |
| S&P | -0.17% | 5,699 |
| Nasdaq | -0.04% | 17,918 |
| USD | +0.33% | 101.98 |
| US Treasury – 2 Year | +5.7 bps | 3.705% |
| US Treasury – 10 Year | +5.3 bps | 3.841% |
| Oil – Brent | +5.03% | $77.62 |
| Oil – WTI | +5.15% | $73.71 |
| Gold | -0.08% | $2,259.32 |
Today’s Events (AEST):
Asian Session
- All Day – China – Bank Holiday
European Session
- 6.30 pm – UK – Construction PMI Data
US Session
- 10.30 pm – US – Non-Farm Employment Change Data
- 10.30 pm – US – Average Hourly Earnings Data
- 10.30 pm – US – Unemployment Rate
