The big headline over the weekend was the US striking inside Iran to destroy several nuclear related facilities. Investors waited nervously for a possible Iranian response, and for global financial markets to begin trading. And interesting enough, the Israel MSCI stock index hit a record high today (see Looking Ahead).
The Shanghai index was higher by +0.65%, the Hang Seng rallied +0.67%, the Nikkei 225 slipped -0.13% lower. The DAX index retreated -0.35%, the Stoxx 600 lost -0.28% and the FTSE 100 edged down -0.19%. 10-year Bunds yield 2.509%.
The June PMI Flash Composite Index ticked up from 52.1 prior to 52.8, with the Manufacturing Index going from 52.3 to 52.0 vs. 51.0 est., and the Services Index edging up from 52.3 to 53.1 vs. 53.0 consensus. Existing Home Sales for May increased from an annual rate of 4.00M to 4.03M, above 3.950M est., for a MoM gain of +0.8% (vs. -0.5% prior) and a YoY print of -0.7% vs. -2.0% prior.
10-Yr T-Notes yield 4.395%. The Sep. US$ index sold off -0.31% to 97.975. Aug. crude oil plunged -8.45% to $67.57. Aug. gold edged upwards +0.14% to $3,390.20.
After-hours US stock index futures gapped lower on the open. During the day stocks went positive, then Iran responded to US missile strikes by firing missiles at US bases in Qatar and Iraq. Stocks sold off, but just as quickly recovered to close strong.