\n\tBy Greg Peel<\/p>\n
\n\tThe Dow rose 149 points, or 1.0%, while the S&P gained 1.0% to 1603 and the Nasdaq<\/span> added 0.9%.<\/p>\n \n\tThe previous revision of US March quarter GDP showed 2.4% growth and economists had expected last night’s revision to show no change. But the number fell to 1.8%. As the June quarter comes to a close, the March quarter seems like ancient history, but the revision does lower expectations for full-year 2013 growth.<\/p>\n \n\tOn Tuesday night Wall Street rallied strongly on positive financial data. Last night Wall Street rallied strongly on negative financial data. We appear to be back at the point we were at the beginning of 2013 when a strong US economy is a good thing and a weak US economy means more, or at least more continuous, QE. If the Fed tapers on strong data then that’s okay. If the data are weak the Fed will come to the rescue. It’s the “Bernanke put”, or “have your cake and eat it too”.<\/p>\n \n\tAnother expression floating around with regard to equities is TINA, as in “there is no alternative”. Many on Wall Street are convinced the thirty-year bond rally is over so there’s no point going there, cash pays nothing, so all one can do is buy stocks.<\/p>\n \n\tAnd nor is inflation any threat despite QE, which the many warning of hyperinflation over the past few years are now beginning to concede. If there is no inflation threat, what happens? Gold falls. Last night gold fell US$50.90 to US$1227.00\/oz. Gold was last at this level at the beginning of 2010.<\/p>\n \n\tAlso helping to encourage global markets was more calming talk from Beijing last night. This time an official from the China Securities Regulatory Commission suggested the regulator would take steps to improve the market environment and shore up confidence, making note of recent volatility. Shibor<\/span> fell to 5.55% yesterday having peaked at 25% a week ago as the PBoC<\/span> indicated it would again inject money into the market. One feels perhaps the PBoC<\/span> has now made its point, and China’s smaller banks will think twice about trying to rort<\/span> the system again.<\/p>\n \n\tThe US dollar initially fell on the release of the GDP revision last night, as well it should. A weaker economy should mean a weaker dollar and implications for more extended QE should weaken the dollar as well. But then it rose to be up 0.4% on its index at 82.95 by day’s end. Whether good or bad, the US is the place to be.<\/p>\n \n\tThe stronger greenback was clearly not helpful for gold, and not much help for base metals either. Nor was the GDP revision a help. Most metals fell mildly, although copper was down 1% and nickel down 2%.<\/p>\n \n\tThe oils have come to a screaming halt, balancing mixed US data, a stronger dollar and ongoing concerns over Middle East supply. Last night Brent rose US42c<\/span> to US$101.66\/bbl<\/span> and West Texas rose US16c<\/span> to US$95.48\/bbl<\/span>.<\/p>\n \n\tSpot iron ore fell US20c<\/span> to US$113.80\/t.<\/p>\n \n\tThe SPI<\/span> Overnight closed up 20 points, or 0.4%.<\/p>\n \n\tToday on Bridge Street sees the expiry of stock options, which has the potential to provide some individual volatility, while China will report industrial profits for May.<\/p>\n \n\tRudi will appear on Sky Business today at noon. \n\tAll overnight and intraday prices, average prices, currency conversions and charts for stock indices, currencies, commodities, bonds, VIX and more available in the FNArena Cockpit. Click here<\/a>. (Subscribers can access prices in the Cockpit.)<\/em><\/p>\n \n\tAll paying members at FNArena are being reminded they can set an email alert specifically for The Overnight Report. Go to Portfolio and Alerts in the Cockpit and tick the box in front of The Overnight Report. You will receive an email alert every time a new Overnight Report has been published on the website.<\/em><\/p>\n
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