Covid-19 Daily Dashboard – 4 August 2020
An overview of key economic and financial metrics.
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Download an overview of key economic and financial metrics relating to Covid-19 on 4 August 2020.
Equities: In Asia, stocks had a strong trading session with the Topix and Hang Seng both adding +2.1% over the day, while the S&P / ASX 200 increased by +1.9%, the Kospi by +1.3% and the CSI 300 by +0.1%. In Europe, trading is mixed, with the STOXX 600 and Dax down by -0.3% and -0.5% over the morning, while the CAC 40 (+0.3%) and FTSE 250 (+0.2%) run higher. In the US, futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average are both down -0.3% and -0.2%.
VIX: The CBOE market volatility index is currently 26.7 and the Euro Stoxx 50 volatility price index is 25.8. Both indices remain above their long term averages, indicating further expectations of near-term volatility.
Bonds: The Italian 10-year bond yield is currently 1.03%, down -4bps this morning, while the US 10-year treasury yield and the German 10-year bund yield have both compressed -1bp to 0.55% and -0.54%.The UK 10-year gilt yield is 0.09%.
Currency: Both sterling and the euro are holding steady at $1.31 and $1.18. Hedging benefits for US dollar denominated investors into the UK and the eurozone are 0.30% and 1.05% per annum on a five-year basis.
Baltic Dry: The Baltic Dry index increased for the fourth consecutive session yesterday, up +2.6% to 1,385. The index is 27% above where it was in January, albeit, it is -29% lower than recent highs of 1,956 in early July.
Oil: Brent Crude and the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) are both -1.0% lower over the morning to $43.72 per barrel and $40.59 per barrel, respectively.
Gold: The price of gold appreciated by +0.1% yesterday, to another record high of $1,976 per troy ounce. This price is +29% higher than it was in January.
Aviation: Supported by a passenger load of 84% in July, easyJet is expected to increase its scheduled flights to 40% of normal capacity over the three months to September, up from the initially scheduled 30%.