The financial markets started the day under pressure following the release of stronger-than-expected economic data from the U.S. According to a report on The Block, the second quarter's GDP growth rate came in at an annualized 2.8%, well above the anticipated 2%. This was a significant jump from the 1.4% growth seen in Q1.
Quick Take
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Q2 GDP surged to 2.8%, surpassing the expected 2%. PCE Price Index rose to 2.9%, above the forecasted 2.7%.
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FedWatch Tool shows a 100% chance of a September rate cut.
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Big Tech stocks and cryptocurrencies experienced a sell-off. Bitcoin nears its 50-day moving average as the crypto market dips too.
PCE Price Index Surges to 2.9%, When Will Fed Cut Interest Rates?
Adding to the mix, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index, a key inflation metric, rose to 2.9%, exceeding the expected 2.7%. This data is crucial as it influences the Federal Reserve's decisions on interest rate policies. Emma Wall, head of investment analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown, noted that the robust economic growth coupled with slightly higher inflation might reduce the urgency for the Fed to cut rates in the near term.
Could the Fed cut interest rates in November? | Source: CME FedWatch
A recent Reuters poll indicated that economists do not expect the Fed to cut rates until November, maintaining the current range of 5.25-5.5%. The CME FedWatch Tool echoes this sentiment, showing a 60% chance of a November rate cut.
Markets Experience Big Sell-offs, Tech Sector as Alphabet Slides 5% Lower
S&P 500, Dow Jones, and NASDAQ experience sell-offs | Source: Yahoo! Finance
As a result, major U.S. stock indices opened negatively but managed to recover slightly. The S&P, Dow, and Nasdaq all clawed back into positive territory later in the day. However, cryptocurrencies and precious metals continued to trade in the red. Bitcoin, for example, dropped to $64,723, a 2.56% decrease over 24 hours. Gold and silver also saw declines, with silver hitting its lowest price since May.
Despite the strong economic data, markets faced a broad sell-off. Investors are re-evaluating the high valuations of Big Tech stocks and the timing of returns on their AI investments. Daniel Van Der Woude, Product Lead at Nuklai, highlighted concerns over Alphabet’s mixed results, despite beating earnings estimates. The stock slid 5% due to weaker ad revenue and higher capital expenditure, although optimism remains for Alphabet's AI and cloud technologies.
Neil Roarty, an analyst at Stocklytics, pointed out that silver’s recent downturn might be due to profit-taking after significant gains earlier in the year. He also mentioned the potential impact of a Donald Trump victory in the upcoming U.S. elections on green energy demand for silver.
Read more: Bitcoin Soars Past $62,000 Following Trump Assassination Attempt: The Trump Effect
Bitcoin Moves Closer to 50-Day MA as Crypto Market Dips
BTC/USDT price chart | Source: TradingView
In the cryptocurrency market, the broader sell-off has also had an impact. According to Alex Kuptsikevich, senior market analyst at FxPro, the pressures from the traditional financial markets have spilled over into cryptocurrencies. The market lost 3.5% in the last 24 hours, with Bitcoin nearing its 50-day moving average, a critical support level.
However, Kuptsikevich noted a glimmer of hope for Bitcoin. The Hash Ribbons indicator, a technical analysis tool, signaled a potential buy opportunity. This indicator, which recently exited a ‘capitulation’ phase, historically precedes substantial price increases.
Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency, has also been affected. It dropped over 9% to $3,150, testing its 200-day moving average. The recent launch of the Ethereum ETF, which coincided with a significant drop in the Nasdaq index, has also contributed to the sell-off.
Read More: What’s the Ethereum Price Prediction After SEC Approves Spot Ether ETFs?
PBOC Cuts Rates to 2.3%, Surprises Markets
Compounding the uncertainty, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) made a surprise off-schedule rate cut, reducing the one-year medium-term lending facility rate to 2.3% from 2.5%. This move injected 200 billion yuan ($27.5 billion) into the market, raising concerns about economic instability in China.
Conclusion
Despite the market turbulence, some analysts see the economic data as a sign of underlying strength in the U.S. economy. ING Bank economist James Knightly suggested that the PCE data could indicate progress toward the Fed's 2% inflation target, potentially supporting the case for a rate cut later in the year.
Durable goods orders for June presented a mixed picture, with a significant decline in overall orders but a modest rise in orders excluding transportation. These figures reflect ongoing economic uncertainties, which may bolster Bitcoin’s appeal as a hedge against traditional market volatility.
In summary, while strong GDP growth and rising PCE figures have led to increased speculation about future interest rate cuts, the markets have reacted with caution. Big Tech stocks, cryptocurrencies, and precious metals have all experienced sell-offs, influenced by global economic developments and investor sentiment. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether these trends will continue or if the markets will stabilize.
