July 23, 2025

Markets Hold Steady Ahead of Key Data; Fed, ECB, and Crypto Headlines Drive Sentiment

Markets Hold Steady as Central Banks and Data Loom

🗓️ Daily Macro Recap – June 3, 2025

Markets hold steady as the week begins, with global investors turning cautious ahead of key economic data and central bank meetings. Equities remain broadly range-bound, bond markets show signs of stabilization after last week’s volatility, and the dollar holds firm—supported by hawkish Fed rhetoric and anticipation of Friday’s U.S. payrolls data.

🇺🇸 U.S. Markets Hold Steady Before Jobs Data

Previous Day Highlights:

  • Equities: S&P 500 closed marginally lower (-0.1%) as investors awaited JOLTS data and Friday’s NFP report.
  • Treasuries: 10-year yield was stable around 4.41%, pausing after last week’s surge.
  • Dollar: DXY held above 104.0, supported by firm services PMI expectations and rate cut doubts.
  • Key News:
    • Fed’s Kashkari reiterated only one cut this year, possibly in December.
    • S&P Global Manufacturing PMI came in stronger than expected at 52.3 (vs 50.2 prior), reinforcing the narrative of economic resilience.

🇪🇺 Eurozone Awaits ECB Rate Decision

Previous Day Highlights:

  • Equities: Euro Stoxx 50 ended flat as focus shifted to Thursday’s ECB rate decision.
  • Bonds: German 10Y yields ticked down to 2.62% as dovish bets ahead of ECB mount.
  • Currency: EUR/USD traded slightly weaker near 1.0880.
  • Key News:
    • Final eurozone manufacturing PMI revised higher to 47.3 from 47.0.
    • ECB expected to cut rates by 25 bps this Thursday—first major central bank to ease.

🇬🇧 U.K. Markets Hold Steady Despite Housing Sector Weakness

Previous Day Highlights:

  • Equities: FTSE 100 underperformed (-0.3%) due to weakness in commodity-linked stocks.
  • Bonds: 10Y gilt yield fell to 4.18% amid softening inflation expectations.
  • Currency: GBP/USD held around 1.2740.
  • Key News:
    • Nationwide House Price Index declined MoM, highlighting housing market fragility.
    • Market expects BoE’s first cut around Q4 2025, lagging ECB.

🇯🇵 Japanese Equities Advance; BOJ Maintains Policy Caution

Previous Day Highlights:

  • Equities: Nikkei 225 rose 0.8% on tech-led gains.
  • Bonds: 10Y JGB yield remained firm near 1.03%.
  • Currency: USD/JPY traded above 157.0, testing MoF’s FX tolerance.
  • Key News:
    • BOJ Governor Ueda stated no imminent rate hike, citing fragile consumption.

🇨🇳 Chinese Market Sentiment Improves on PMI and Stimulus Hints

Previous Day Highlights:

  • Equities: Shanghai Composite gained 0.6% as sentiment improved after strong May holiday tourism data.
  • Currency: USDCNY fixed at 7.2454, marginally stronger.
  • Key News:
    • Caixin Manufacturing PMI: 51.7 vs 51.5 expected – third straight expansion.
    • Beijing reportedly mulling more targeted stimulus for real estate and manufacturing.

🌍 EMEA Markets Hold Steady Ahead of Key Inflation Releases

Türkiye:

  • BIST 100: Closed flat, weighed by banking sector.
  • USD/TRY: Hovered around 32.20.
  • 10Y Bond Yield: 25.30% as inflation expectations remain high.
  • Key News:
    • May CPI is expected this week. Forecasts suggest annual inflation could hit 75%, marking a possible peak.

South Africa: ZAR strengthened slightly as post-election coalition talks continued.

Commodity Markets Mixed as Oil Rises, Gold Steadies

  • Oil: Brent up 1.2% to $78.10 amid speculation of OPEC+ flexibility on production cuts after Sunday’s meeting.
  • Gold: Steady at $2,338/oz as yields stabilize.
  • Copper: +0.8% on strong China PMI data.