Opening Bell: OPEC++ Deal Fails To Prop Up Oil; U.S. Futures, Asia Stocks Dip

Key Events

U.S. futures, including for the S&P 500, Dow Jones and NASDAQ, along with Asian shares started the week on the back foot, ahead of the unofficial Q1 2020 earnings season kickoff, as huge questions regarding the impact of COVID-19 on corporate growth remain to be answered.

The price of oil failed to respond to an anemic production deal among OPEC++ constituents, touted as historic.

Global Financial Affairs

Most major European markets were spared losses this morning, as they remain closed for the extended Easter holiday. But futures for the S&P 500 are suggesting the underlying benchmark will extend an Evening Star, a bearish, 3-candle formation, that began forming at the close of Thursday's trade.

NASDAQ Futures Daily

Contracts on NASDAQ 100 fell away after Thursday’s failed attempt to close above its 200 DMA. The 50 DMA crept closer, threatening the much-feared Death Cross, which would occur when falling below the 200 DMA.

During the Asian session, Japan's Nikkei 225 (-2.33%), South Korea's KOSPI (-1.88%) and China's Shanghai Composite (-0.49%) all closed lower this morning, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng (+1.38%) and Australia's ASX 200 (+3.46%) the regional outliers.

Though U.S. markets were closed at the end of last week, for Good Friday, investors were able to celebrate the best week for equities in 46 years pumped up by the Fed's promise of unlimited QE. The central bank move was triggered by accelerating coronvirus-driven lockdowns, and was meant to offset ballooning unemployment claims across the U.S., on a scale not seen since the Great Depression. Markets, however, saw it as Fed candy.

Investors jumped back into risk assests, ending the fledgling bear market, establishing a new bull run as a result. While we consider it sickly, we must nonetheless recognize it’s still bullish, until such times it satisfies the requirements of a reversal.

Yields for the U.S. 10-year Treasury edged higher Monday morning, as the dollar was sold off for a third straight day.

DXY Daily

While the USD rebounded, along with the 50 DMA from session lows, it extended the penetration below its rising channel, edging toward a trend reversal.

Gold Daily

Gold futures retreated, even with though both stocks and the dollar were weaker—rare indeed—perhaps on the technicals. The precious metal contract might be correcting after completing a H&S top, with $1,700 as its neckline.

Oil Daily

WTI gave up a knee-jerk rally after oil producers reached a deal to reduce production by 9.7 million barrels, missing the 10 million mark they'd originally set out to cut. Additionally, many are speculating “the great battle for market share between the Americans, the Saudis and the Russians will probably restart once demand for crude oil returns.”

Technically, the price of the commodity may be forming a bottom, if it crosses the $30 barrier, a 25% increase at these low prices.

Up Ahead

• U.S. banks and financial firms begin reporting first quarter 2020 earnings on Tuesday, led by JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM), Citigroup (NYSE:C), Bank of America (NYSE:BAC), BlackRock (NYSE:BLK), Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) and Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC).
• Bank Indonesia's rate decision and policy briefing are scheduled for tomorrow
• Bank of Canada issues an interest rate decision on Wednesday
• Also on Wednesday, U.S. Retail Sales for March will be released. Expectations are for a -7.0% reading, a record drop.
• On Friday, China releases GDP, Industrial Production, Retail Sales and Unemployment figures

Market Moves

Stocks

• Futures on the S&P 500 Index fell 1.3%.
• NASDAQ 100 futures dipped 1.4%.
• The MSCI Asia Pacific Index declined 0.5%.

Currencies

• The Dollar Index fell 0.1%, rebounding from a 0.4% drop, to 99.43.
• The euro gained 0.2% to $1.0961.
• The British pound climbed 0.5% to $1.2521.
• The Japanese yen strengthened 0.6% to 107.83 per dollar.
• The South Korean won weakened 0.7% to 1,217.82 per dollar.

Bonds

• Treasury futures were little changed

Commodities

• West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 1.4% to $23.09 a barrel.
• Gold weakened 0.3% to $1,690.90 an ounce.
• Iron ore gained 0.2% to $82.54 per metric ton.