Market Brief, North America

Financial markets are facing headwinds this morning from higher interest rates and a slowing Chinese economy. Equity futures are setting up for a lower open, US Treasury yields are inching lower after again challenging multi-decade highs during yesterday’s session, and commodity prices are trading sideways as markets simultaneously downgrade Chinese demand forecasts and raise stimulus expectations. Foreign exchange markets are trading on a mixed footing, with risk-sensitive currencies fighting an increase in implied volatility expectations – partly seasonal, partly rates-driven, and partly China-related – even as domestic yields play catch up with the United States North America Expectations are rising ahead...

The dollar is little changed after a series of data releases intersected with oil price gains last week to push long-term yields slightly higher – even as expectations for a pause at the Federal Reserve’s September meeting remained intact. More broadly, risk appetite remains relatively subdued and commodity-linked currencies are softening as troubles in the Chinese property sector keep global demand expectations under pressure and drive raw materials prices modestly lower. North America Tomorrow’s retail sales report looms as the next potential catalyst for dollar moves, with major uncertainties remaining around the durability of consumer spending in the world’s largest...

The dollar is set to end the week on a slightly stronger note after July’s producer price report solidified expectations for a continued hawkish bias from Federal Reserve policymakers – even as other indicators point toward a cooling in inflation pressures. Yields are modestly higher across the front end of the Treasury curve, equities are seeing outflows, and risk-sensitive currencies like the Australian and Canadian dollars – along with the Mexican peso – are inching lower against the greenback. North America US producer prices climbed more than expected in July, putting pressure on policymakers to avoid sending the “all clear”...