An even modest increase in claims for unemployment benefits (225 thousand units, or 9.000 more) was the spark that allowed the US markets to achieve a robust rise, albeit amid thin trading. The big names in technology have taken advantage of it, the most beaten in the horrible year for the superstars on the list. Starting from Tesla +7,8% after Elon Musk, addressing employees, urged them to "not listen to the follies of the stock exchanges". Coming from him it has a certain effect.
The rebound continued overnight in Asian stocks. Futures on European markets and on Wall Street are more cautious, both down slightly. But investors are looking more optimistic after yesterday's US macro data showed the Federal Reserve's aggressive monetary policy is easing inflationary pressures, even as concerns persist over the COVID in China: Chinese leaders, however, say they are ready to step up monetary policy measures to cushion the impact on businesses and consumers.
Asia closes a black year with a plus sign
Il Nikkei Japan rises 0,10%, Australian S&P/ASX 200 index +0,5%. China's blue chip index CSI300 closes at +0,7%, while the Hang Seng index of Hong Kong is up 0,6%%.
But the balance sheet for the year is bitter: the MSCI Asia-Pacific index, today +0,7% is destined to close the year down by -19%, it is the worst performance since 2008.
The Nasdaq Bigs raise their heads
Even more bitter is the year-end balance of the US markets, which yesterday nonetheless experienced the best session of December: the Nasdaq it gained +2,6%, thus improving, albeit slightly, the drop in 2022 (-67%). S&P500 +1,75%, while the Dow Jones +1,05% celebrates the narrow escape: only -8,5% since January, thanks to the appeal of high dividends.
It was the day of revenge for Netflix +5%, Nvidia +4% and Meta +4%, Apple +2,9% recovers from the lows. Amazon is also consoled +2,8% which halved the market value during the year.
Milan +12%, the BTP strengthens
The Wall Street effect was also felt on European markets: Milan +1,20% closed on a growing trend, Frankfurt +1,05% in line with the Eurostoxx 50.
The impact of US data on the bond market and currencies was more significant. The German Bund drops to 2,44% yield, the XNUMX-year BTP at 4,49%. The 3,83-year Treasury Note is at XNUMX%.
The euro-dollar cross is down at 1,065. The US dollar is on track to deliver its best annual performance in seven years. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against the world's six major currencies, is flat, but has gained nearly 9% over the year.
The black jersey is up to GBP -11% since January against the dollar, the worst performance since 2016, when the UK voted to leave the European Union.
Winning gold, Bitcoin in the depths
Among the few successful investments in 2022 is gold just above $1.800, +2,4% in December after +8,3% in November. From the beginning of 2022 the balance is unchanged if expressed in dollars, but rises to +6,2% if expressed in euros.
Among the many negative data, that of Bitcoin traded at $16,450 stands out: After three consecutive years of stellar returns, 2022 is about to close with a catastrophic -65%, seasoned with scandals and bankruptcies.
Gas +2%, Brent stops at 84 dollars
Oil on the rise. Brent traded at 83,9 dollars a barrel closed the year at +6%, very far from forecasts, due to the lack of recovery in China.
Il Natural gas on the European circuit it rebounded by +2%, moving away from the lows of the last ten months. Thanks to the price cap agreement and the diversification of supply sources, the 2022 budget is around +22%. At the end of August the price was quadrupled compared to the beginning of January.
The electricity bill drops, black smoke for Telecom Alitalia
The Regulatory Authority for Energy Networks and the Environment (Arera) has announced that in Italy, in the first three months of 2023, the price of electricity in the bill will drop by 19,5%.
Few ideas today for Piazza Affari. Tim could still take the stage yesterday in great dust + 2,93% after the declarations of Giorgia Meloni: "I confirm that this government has the dual objective of taking control of the network, for a strategic issue, and of working to maintain employment levels. We leave everything else to the free dynamics of the market”. So nothing new.
