- Pound jumps above $1.30 for first time since September
- UK retail sales jump 2.3% in April
- French jobless rate falls below 10%
- Continuing controversy over US president unnerves investors
Back to the US, and despite the current political shenanigans the day’s economic data is better than expected.
US jobless claims fell unexpectedly last week, down by 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 232,000. Analysts had forecast a rise to 240,000. The number of Americans receiving unemployment benefit is now at a 28 and a half year low.
With #stocks future under some pressure again this morning, US economic data (jobless claims & Philadelphia Fed) are stronger than expected.
The US is not the only country which could be heading for political problems:
$BRL futures down 6% and halted for trade after reports that Brazilian government allies are seeking President Temer’s resignation
Related: Brazil: explosive recordings implicate President Michel Temer in bribery