Here are the top five things you need to know in financial markets on Wednesday, April 13:
1. China’s exports rise at fastest pace in a year
Growth returned to Chinese exports in March for the first time in nine months with an 11.5% jump that blew past consensus expectations for a 2.5% increase.
At the same time, a less than expected decline in imports suggested that there was still strength to be found in the world’s second largest economy.
Global stocks moved higher on the trade data with London’s FTSE 100 marking new 2016 highs. Mining stocks led the gains in the City on hopes that the jump in Chinese exports would push demand for core ingredients like commodities upward.
2. Oil drops as hopes dashed for production freeze, inventories rise more than expected
Market participants took profits in black gold on Wednesday after Saudi Arabia’s oil minister Ali al-Naimi played down the prospect of an output freeze in the al-Hayat newspaper.
The remarks came after reports on Tuesday that Russia and the kingdom had reached a consensus on a deal expected to be announced at Sunday’s meeting of major oil producers.
Furthermore, data from industry group the American Petroleum Institute showed late Tuesday that oil stockpiles had risen by 6.2 million barrels, far above the consensus estimate for a build of 1.0 million.
The Energy Information Administration was due to publish official inventory data later on Wednesday. Analysts expect a build of 1.85 million barrels.
U.S. crude oil futures fell 1.47% to $41.45, at 9:54AM GMT, or 5:54AM ET, while Brent oil traded down 1.12% to $44.19.
3. JP Morgan to set the tone for U.S. financial stocks' earning season
JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE:JPM) will be reporting quarterly earnings on Wednesday at approximately 10:45AM GMT, or 6:45AM ET, in what will be the first report from the U.S. financial sector.
Markets will get their first glimpse at how U.S. banks fared in the first quarter in an environment marked by low interest rates and financial market volatility.
Analysts are expecting first quarter reports in the financial sector to show a 9.2% decline in earnings and a 0.2% rise in sales.
4. BoC and U.S. data ahead on Wednesday
Currency traders will focus on movements in USD/CAD as the Bank of Canada announces its monetary policy decision and the update in its economic forecasts at 14:00GMT, or 10:00AM ET. The Canadian central bank is expected to leave interests unchanged at 0.50%.
Investors will also digest U.S. retail sales and the producer price index for March at 12:30GMT, or 8:30AM GMT, February business inventories at 14:00GMT, or 10:00AM ET, and the Fed Beige Book at 18:00GMT, or 14:00ET.
5. BoJ insists on the possibility of more easing
Bank of Japan (BoJ) board member Yutaka Harada did not rule out cutting interest rates further into negative territory, especially “if big risks materialize”.
He did admit on Wednesday that could not say whether these risks were currently present, but his remarks came ahead of the BoJ’s next policy decision on April 28.
The dollar was trading broadly higher on Wednesday with USD/JPY moving away from a 17-month low.