Market Information Wednesday 19 August 2020

In the second quarter of 2020, turnover of the Dutch industry was 16.6 percent lower than a year earlier. This is reported by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) based on new figures. Especially in April and May, industrial producers generated less turnover compared to a year earlier. Revenues of petroleum producers declined most. Selling prices were 7.1 percent lower in the second quarter than in the second quarter of 2019.

In July, the number of home-construction starts in the US increased by almost 23 percent, the largest increase since October 2016. The recovery was stronger than expected as economists had anticipated an increase of 5 percent. The S&P 500 index closed the trading day 0.2 percent higher at 3389.78 points and surpassing the old record of February 2020. The new record is mainly caused by technology companies, which share prices have performed well in recent months, and the support measures that central bankers worldwide have deployed to mitigate the economic effects of the corona pandemic.

Japan’s exports decreased again in July, according to data from the Japanese Ministry of Finance. Exports dropped on an annual basis in July 2020 by 19.2 percent compared to -26.2 percent in June 2020. Economists had anticipated a decline of 21 percent. Japanese imports fell by 22.3 percent in July.

The 6M Euribor is unchanged at -0.43% compared to previous business day. The 10Y Swap decreased with 1 basis point to -0.20% compared to previous business day.

In the attachment, today’s market data on money and capital market rates as well as other rates are presented.