S&P 500

On Thursday, US stocks scored gains. The Dow added 1.1%, the NASDAQ grew by 2.3%, and the S&P500 increased by 1.5%.The S&P500 index is trading at 3,902 and is expected to be in the 3,850–3,960 range.

The S&P 500 closed above the 3,900 mark, confirming the strength of the market. The market was helped by yesterday's weekly jobs report. New jobless claims stayed at 235k. Long term unemployment remained unchanged at 1.3m.

The previous day, the ISM Services PMI edged lower to 55.3.

Investors are now focused on the state of the labor market. The Fed is in an acute phase of the fight against high inflation (+8% p.a.). Everyone is expecting a Fed rate hike at +0.75% on July 27th. At the same time, the US economy is being supported by household demand. Demand is being supported by high employment. A fall in employment will be crucial.

The employment report for June will be released today. Economists expect 200,000 - 250,000 jobs were added last month.Oil prices are holding above $100. Brent is trading at 104.80 on Friday.

Johnson announced his resignation as prime minister on Thursday after he was deserted by cabinet ministers and many Conservative Party lawmakers. Britain's policy course will remain the same. His successor is likely to be either Ben Wallace, Secretary of State for Defence, or Liz Truss, Secretary of State for Foreign. They are supporters of Johnson's policy.

Gas supplies from Russia remain 60% below the levels of the same period last year. Moscow is clearly restricting gas supplies in response to European sanctions. Exchange gas prices are near their peak since the start of the war in Ukraine, at $1,945 per barrel.

In France, gas prices will be completely frozen by the end of 2022. The government will probably have to subsidise prices from the budget.

Amid the global backdrop, the US market is doing very well. In addition, arms shipments to Europe will support the US military-industrial complex and its stocks. Traders are waiting for employment report and market growth.