Stocks mixed ahead of Trump inauguration - 20.1.2025

The Dollar strengthening has reversed currently. The live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, ended 0.4% higher on Friday.

Both GBP/USD and EUR/USD retreated on Friday while data showed UK retail sales fell 0.3% in December on a monthly basis. Both euro and Pound are higher against the Dollar currently. USD/JPY joined AUD/USD’s continued sliding on Friday with both the yen and Australian dollar higher against the Greenback currently.

US stock indexes futures are up currently after resuming advancing on Friday as Census Bureau data indicated above expected building permits for January. The three main US stock benchmarks recorded daily gains in the range from 0.8% to 1.5% on the last trading day before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Trump has pledged to boost the US economy by cutting red tape and taxes, and boost US domestic energy production.

European stock futures are mixed currently after closing up on Friday led by mining shares. Asian stock indexes futures are rising today with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index leading gains after Trump did not make any mention of his plans for trade tariffs during a victory rally in Washington on Sunday.

Brent is inching lower currently. Prices retraced lower on Friday on the back of expectations of a halt in attacks by Yemen's Houthi militia on ships in the Red Sea following a Gaza ceasefire deal. US West Texas Intermediate WTI fell 1% and is lower currently. Brent lost 0.6% to $80.79 a barrel on Friday. For the week Brent gained 1.3% and WTI rose 1.7%.