(
February 10, 2025
)

πΊπΈ S&P 500: -2.00% (6 months), +12.92% (1 year), +94.19% (5 years)
π¨π¦ TSX Composite: +2.05% (6 months), +18.59% (1 year), +72.29% (5 years)
π Russell 2000: -15.13% (6 months), -0.47% (1 year), +48.22% (5 years)
β
β Which of these earnings reports are you most focused on this week, and what upside or downside surprises do you anticipate? Share your thoughts below! π
β
πΊπΈ United States β ISM Manufacturing PMI (May) π Previous: 48.7 | Forecast: 49 π Overview: The ISM gauge tracks factory output, new orders and employment in the U.S. manufacturing sector. π‘ Consumer Impact: A reading above 50 signals expansion, supporting jobs in production and supply chains. π Market Outlook: A surprise uptick could lift industrial stocks and buoy the dollar; a further dip may weigh on risk appetite.
π¦πΊ Australia β RBA Meeting Minutes π Overview: The minutes will reveal the Reserve Bankβs internal debate on inflation prospects and growth risks. π‘ Consumer Impact: Insight into future rate paths shapes borrowing costs for mortgages and business loans. π Market Outlook: Dovish tones may weaken the aussie and boost commodity-linked equities; hawkish hints could have the opposite effect.
π¨π³ China β Caixin Manufacturing PMI (May) π Previous: 50.4 | Forecast: 49.5 π Overview: This survey measures smaller and export-oriented Chinese factoriesβ output and order flows. π‘ Consumer Impact: Factory health influences employment in industrial regions and discretionary income. π Market Outlook: A contraction reading could pressure iron-ore and oil prices; resilience may underpin Asian equities.
πͺπΊ Euro Area β Inflation Rate YoY Flash (May) π Previous: 2.2% | Forecast: 2.1% π Overview: The flash CPI prints early evidence of price pressures across the euro-zone. π‘ Consumer Impact: Higher inflation erodes real incomes, especially on energy and food. π Market Outlook: A hotter print may fuel ECB hawkish bets and lift the euro; a cooler result could ease bond-yield pressures.
πΊπΈ United States β JOLTs Job Openings (Apr) π Previous: 7.192M | Forecast: 7.05M π Overview: The monthly JOLTs report gauges unfilled positions, signaling labour demand. π‘ Consumer Impact: A tight jobs market supports wage gains and consumer spending. π Market Outlook: A drop in openings may temper Fed-rate-hike expectations and pressure the dollar.
π¦πΊ Australia β GDP Growth Rate QoQ (Q1) π Previous: 0.6% | Forecast: 0.5% π Overview: Quarterly GDP reveals the pace of Australiaβs economic expansion. π‘ Consumer Impact: Slower growth could curb hiring and household income gains. π Market Outlook: A miss risks weighing on the aussie and yields; an upside surprise may bolster both.
π¨π¦ Canada β BoC Interest Rate Decision π Overview: The Bank of Canada will announce its policy rate, with markets fully pricing in a hold at 2.75%. π‘ Consumer Impact: Rate guidance influences mortgage costs and consumer credit conditions. π Market Outlook: Any shift in forward guidance could move the loonie and Canadian bond yields.
πΊπΈ United States β ISM Services PMI (May) π Previous: 51.6 | Forecast: 52 π Overview: Tracks activity in the vast U.S. services sector, including new orders and employment. π‘ Consumer Impact: Services strength underpins hiring in retail, hospitality and finance. π Market Outlook: A beat may lift cyclical stocks and support the dollar; a miss could temper Fed-policy bets.
π¦πΊ Australia β Balance of Trade (Apr) π Previous: A$6.9B | Forecast: A$6.7B π Overview: The monthly surplus measure shows the gap between exports and imports. π‘ Consumer Impact: A larger surplus signals strength in commodity exports, benefiting wages in mining regions. π Market Outlook: A surprise swing could move the aussie and commodity-linked equities.
πͺπΊ Euro Area β Deposit Facility Rate π Overview: The ECB will set its deposit rate, the floor for overnight bank lending. π‘ Consumer Impact: Deposit-rate guidance shapes borrowing costs across the euro-zone. π Market Outlook: Any hawkish tilt could push yields higher and prop up the euro.
πͺπΊ Euro Area β ECB Interest Rate Decision π Overview: The ECB announces its main refinancing rate, key for bank funding costs. π‘ Consumer Impact: Influences mortgage rates and consumer borrowing across member states. π Market Outlook: A pause or hike will sway euro-area equities and bond yields.
π¨π¦ Canada β Balance of Trade (Apr) π Previous: C$β0.51B | Forecast: C$0.1B π Overview: Canadaβs trade balance reveals export-import dynamics at play. π‘ Consumer Impact: Trade strength underpins GDP and hiring in export industries. π Market Outlook: A smaller deficit may support the loonie; a wider gap could pressure it.
πͺπΊ Euro Area β ECB Press Conference π Overview: ECB President Lagarde will detail the rate decision rationale and economic outlook. π‘ Consumer Impact: Clarity on euro-zone policy affects household credit costs. π Market Outlook: Forward-guidance tweaks can move markets more than the rate move itself.
π¨π¦ Canada β Ivey PMI s.a. (May) π Previous: 47.9 | Forecast: 48.2 π Overview: The Ivey index tracks business sentiment among Canadian purchasing managers. π‘ Consumer Impact: PMI trends foreshadow hiring and investment by firms. π Market Outlook: A rebound may lift Canadian equities and the loonie; a dip could drag both.
π©πͺ Germany β Balance of Trade (Apr) π Previous: β¬21.1B | Forecast: β¬22.6B π Overview: Measures Germanyβs export surplus, a key driver of euro-area growth. π‘ Consumer Impact: Export strength supports factory jobs and wages. π Market Outlook: A stronger surplus may bolster the euro; a miss could weigh on EUR-zone bonds.
π¨π¦ Canada β Unemployment Rate (May) π Previous: 6.9% | Forecast: 7.0% π Overview: Canadaβs jobs report for May, tracking payrolls and wage trends. π‘ Consumer Impact: Higher unemployment can curb consumer spending growth. π Market Outlook: A surprise uptick may weaken the loonie and lift bond yields.
πΊπΈ United States β Nonfarm Payrolls (May) π Previous: 130K | Forecast: 130K π Overview: The headline U.S. jobs report, excluding farm workers and seasonal hires. π‘ Consumer Impact: Job gains fuel household income and spending. π Market Outlook: A beat could underpin the dollar and Treasury yields; a miss may spark rate-cut speculation.
πΊπΈ United States β Unemployment Rate (May) π Previous: 4.2% | Forecast: 4.2% π Overview: The national jobless rate, core to Fed rate decisions. π‘ Consumer Impact: Lower unemployment boosts consumer confidence. π Market Outlook: Any change may shift market expectations for Fed tightening.
Looking ahead to next week, markets will focus on Chinaβs May inflation reading and detailed trade data set for Sunday, June 8, with implications for global commodity flows and Asian equities.
β What are your expectations for this weekβs releases and Chinaβs weekend data? Share your views below!
β
Current Price: $62.62/barrel Crude oil is trading higher on OPEC+ supply restraint and seasonal upticks in global demand ahead of summer driving patterns. Forecasts for next week point to a $61β$65 range, with a rally above $66 possible if Middle East tensions escalate or U.S. inventory draws surprise. Efficiency: Oil markets are highly efficient, instantly pricing in supply updates, inventory data and macroeconomic indicators. Impact: Elevated prices lift energy-sector revenues but may pressure consumer spending on transportation and weigh on inflation.
Current Price: $103.30/tonne Coal has firmed on robust power-generation requirements in Asia and limited export availability from major suppliers. Forecasts for next week point to a $100β$110 range, with spikes above $115 if cold snaps boost heating demand or infrastructure bottlenecks tighten supply. Efficiency: Coal markets promptly reflect utility procurement data and shipping constraints. Impact: Higher coal costs translate into increased power bills and manufacturing expenses, while boosting profitability for miners.
Current Price: $1,043.60/ounce Platinum is under pressure amid weaker automotive-catalyst orders and ample above-ground stocks. Forecasts for next week point to a $1,000β$1,100 range, with a breakout above $1,150 if industrial demand rebounds or South African mine disruptions occur. Efficiency: Platinum markets are moderately efficient, with price moves driven by automotive production metrics and jewelry demand. Impact: Lower prices can strain producersβ margins but support jewelry sales and investment-bar demand.
Current Price: $60,700/tonne Lithium remains elevated on surging EV-battery orders and tight mine output, despite new projects coming online. Forecasts for next week point to a $59,000β$62,000 range, with a surge toward $65,000 if new supply delays or accelerated EV adoption materialize. Efficiency: Lithium markets are rapidly pricing in project-capex updates and offtake agreements. Impact: High lithium costs bolster mining-equity valuations but raise battery and EV production expenses.
Current Price: $285.69/pound Orange juice futures are advancing on weather-related crop concerns in Florida and stronger export inquiries. Forecasts for next week point to a $270β$295 range, with a rally above $310 if hurricane threats or frost damage intensify. Efficiency: Juice markets efficiently incorporate USDA crop reports and weather-model revisions. Impact: Rising prices increase costs for beverage producers and retailers, while benefiting growers and packers.
Current Price: $101.33/cwt Lean hogs have edged up on tighter slaughter volumes and steady domestic pork demand, with export orders supporting nearby contracts. Forecasts for next week point to a $98β$105 range, with spikes above $110 if disease-related supply concerns emerge or export restrictions ease. Efficiency: Hog markets swiftly reflect USDA hog-on-feed data and international trade flows. Impact: Higher hog prices improve packer margins but may translate into elevated consumer pork prices.
π Whatβs your outlook on these commodity trends? Will crude oil break above $66, can lithium sustain near $60k, and how will hog markets respond to seasonal demand? Share your insights below! β¨
β
ποΈ Blackstone Infrastructure Acquires TXNM Energy for $11.5 Billion π Strategic Shift: Blackstone Infrastructure expands its energy-utility portfolio by acquiring TXNM Energyβs regulated utilities PNM and TNMP, securing long-term exposure to clean-energy transmission and distribution assetsπ. π° Sector Implications: The deal underscores investor demand for stable, regulated cash flows in utility infrastructure and may trigger further consolidation in the energy-transition investment spaceπ.
π€ Salesforce Acquires Informatica for $8 Billion π Strategic Shift: Salesforce enhances its AI and data-management platform by integrating Informaticaβs cloud data solutions, bolstering its generative-AI agent capabilities and enterprise data governanceπ. π° Sector Implications: Highlights the premium on robust data infrastructure in AI workflows and could spur M&A among CRM and analytics providers seeking to strengthen AI-enabled offeringsπ.
βοΈ 3G Capitalβs $9.4 Billion Buyout of Skechers Sparks Shareholder Lawsuit π Strategic Shift: 3G Capital secures control of footwear maker Skechers in a $9.4 billion take-private deal dominated by founder Robert Greenberg, raising red flags over the fairness and transparency of the sales processπ. π° Sector Implications: The lawsuit illustrates governance risks in founder-led buyouts and may prompt increased scrutiny of minority-shareholder protections in large private-equity transactionsπ.
ποΈ Whatβs your take on these M&A developments? Which strategic move do you think will reshape its industry most? Share your thoughts below! π
β
β
π Navigating Deals, Data and Commodity Signals
This weekβs narrative weaves together blockbuster M&A in infrastructure, software and consumer goods with pivotal macro releasesβdurable-goods orders, FOMC minutes and U.S./Canada GDP updatesβthat will shape market sentiment. Meanwhile, the crude-oil to lean-hog complex continues to recalibrate as global supply constraints and weather events unfold. Keep a close watch on deal integration milestones, economic prints and commodity benchmark moves to refine your exposures and capitalize on the marketβs next inflection points! π
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, market conditions can change rapidly, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Always conduct your own research and consult with a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Due Diligence: The insights shared are based on current data and trends. No outcomes are guaranteed, and specific investments or strategies should be evaluated in the context of your own financial situation and risk tolerance.
β
