This week brought significant movements in the financial world: Air France KLM shares saw a notable adjustment, surprising inflation rates drove EUR/GBP dynamics, and energy stocks reacted to oil price shifts. What's driving these changes, and what can we anticipate next?
Stay tuned for our weekly recap to get the full picture ⬇️
S&P 500, Nasdaq post August losses, breaking 5-month winning streak
Wall Street concluded August with mixed results as all three major averages ended the month in negative territory. The Dow Jones fell by 0.5%, affected by a boost in Salesforce shares due to their AI-driven earnings outperformance, while the S&P 500 dropped 0.16%.
The S&P 500 experienced its poorest performance since February, the Dow since May, and the Nasdaq since last November. Both the S&P and the Nasdaq broke their five-month winning streak. Meanwhile, the latest PCE Index revealed that the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure for July met expectations.
Air France shares skyrocketed by 1,000% due to technical adjustments
Air France KLM's ($AF) shares surged 1,000% in opening trade, not due to operational performance, but as a result of a technical adjustment to the stock's nominal value. Amidst the pandemic's challenges, the airline's shares took a hit, like many in the industry. To conform with market tendencies that have a perceived "right price" for shares, Air France KLM executed a one-for-ten reverse stock split. In essence, 10 old shares with a par value of 1 euro each became one new share valued at 10 euros.
Though this adjustment increased the individual share price by 10 times, it did not alter the company's overall market capitalization. Such stock alterations, while altering share prices, do not inherently reflect changes in a company's actual value or performance.
US energy stocks surge as oil prices maintain $80 barrel
In 2023, energy stocks, including major players like Schlumberger, Halliburton, Tidewater, Diamond Offshore Drilling, and ExxonMobil, are experiencing growth due to U.S. oil prices consistently maintaining above the $80 per barrel mark. This surge is largely attributed to mounting supply concerns, China's economic indicators, and global market dynamics. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil prices recently jumped 2% to $83.38, while Brent Crude prices exceeded $86.88.
Notably, signs of recovery in China's economy after its slow post-Covid trajectory suggest a potential boost in oil demand, which could further fuel the energy market's upward trend.
EUR/GBP holds ground above 0.8550 after Eurozone strong inflation
The EUR/GBP pair trades upwards around 0.8560, halting a two-day decline, bolstered by unexpectedly strong inflation numbers from the Eurozone. Contrary to investor expectations of a 0.1% deflation, Eurozone's headline inflation surged by 0.6% in August. As the European Central Bank considers its monetary policy response to the ongoing inflation, traders remain watchful of the Bank of England's potential move, especially amidst the UK's economic challenges.
Speculations grow about a 25 bps interest rate hike in the upcoming BoE meeting, with BoE Chief Economist Huw Pill emphasizing the necessity for a prolonged restrictive policy.
This concludes our weekly recap. Have a great weekend and see you next week! 👋
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Any news, opinions, research, analyses, prices or other information contained in this article are provided as general market commentary and do not constitute investment advice. The market commentary has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research, and therefore, it is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of dissemination. Past performance is not an indication of possible future performance. Any action you take upon the information in this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of this article.
RISK WARNING: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. A high percentage of retail client investors lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
NAGA is a trademark of The NAGA Group AG, a German based FinTech company publicly listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange | WKN: A161NR | ISIN: DE000A161NR7.
The website is operated by NAGA Capital Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority Seychelles (FSA) under licence No. SD026. The registered address of Suite 3, Jivan’s Complex, Global Village, Mont Fleuri, Mahe, Seychelles. Tel: +248 4373121
Partner Companies: NAGA Markets Europe Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission ("CySEC") under license No. 204/13 with registered address at Agias Zonis 11, Limassol, 3027, Cyprus and NAGA Global (CY) Ltd, with registered address at Nikokreontos 2, NICE DREAM, 6th floor, Flat/Office 601, 1066, Nicosia, Cyprus.
RISK WARNING: Derivatives are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how derivatives work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. This is not investment advice. Trading with NAGA Trader by following and/or copying or replicating the trades of other traders involves high levels of risks, even when following and/or copying or replicating the Lead Traders. Such risks include the risk that you may be following/copying the trading decisions of possibly inexperienced/unprofessional traders, or traders whose ultimate purpose or intention, or financial status may differ from yours. Before making an investment decision, you should rely on your own assessment of the person making the trading decisions and the terms of all the legal documentation.
Restricted countries: NAGA Capital Ltd does not provide services for the residents of certain countries, such as Afghanistan, Albania, American Samoa, Anguilla, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guam, Haiti, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Hungary, Iceland, Islamic Republic of Iran, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Latvia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Norway, Palestinian Territory, Occupied, Pitcairn, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan Da Cunha, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom and any other countries where the citizens have British proof of identity (i.e. British Virgin Island, Gibraltar, Isle of Man etc.), United States, U.S. Minor Islands, Vanuatu, Virgin Islands, British, Virgin Islands, U.S., Yemen, and Zimbabwe.