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European shares end the session with mixed results

Italy and Portugal indices move higher

the major European indices are ending the session with mixed results. Germany, France, UK and Spain show declines while Italy and Portugal eked out gains. The closes are showing:

  • German DAX, -0.43%
  • France’s CAC, -0.42%
  • UK’s FTSE 100, -0.62%
  • Spain’s Ibex, -0.2%
  • Italy’s FTSE MIB, +0.3%
  • Portugal’s PSI 20, +0.95%
Italy and Portugal indices move higher_
In the European debt market, benchmark 10 year yields fell across the board with UK yields down the most at -2.8 basis points.
European 10 year yieldsIn other markets as London/European traders look to exit:
  • spot gold $-4.25 or -0.23% $1806.05. The high for the day reached $1813.48. The low extended to $1802.97
  • WTI crude oil futures fell $0.19 or -0.46% to $41.01. It’s high price reached $41.18 while the low extended to $40.60. The September contract is currently down $0.21 or -0.51% of $41.19
In the forex market,
  • GBPUSD. The GBPUSD is trading at new session highs in the currently hourly bar. In the process, the price has moved back above its 200 and 100 hour moving average. That tilted the bias back to the upside in what has been an up and down market over the last 7 or so trading days. On the topside a trendline connecting highs from this we currently comes in at 1.2634. The high from yesterday reached 1.26487. The high for the week on Monday reached 1.26652.
  • EURUSD: The EURUSD moved higher in the London session after finding support buyers near the 38.2% retracement of the move up from the Friday low at 1.13759. The high price reached 1.1441. The high price from yesterday reached 1.14512. There is close support at 1.14223 area

Some geopolitical comments from China and France are hitting the news wires

Speaking on the Middle East risks

France’s foreign minister is saying:
  • if tensions are not diffused today than there is a real risk of war in Middle East
  • there is still room for diplomacy on Iran crisis
  • Iran must refrain from reacting, start broader talks
  • says Soleimani was a key player in destabilizing the region
  • latest decision by Iranians enables them to enrich uranium without constraints
  • we can question the validity of nuclear deal in long-term
  • decision on triggering Iran nuclear deal dispute mechanism process will be made in coming days
meanwhile China is saying:
  • US unilateral use of force has violated international law and destabilizes the region
  • Urges US not to use a further force in Middle East, calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint

Finally, the Trump administration has said that they would provide closed-door briefing on Iran to the full US Senate on Wednesday.  Secretary of State Pompeo, defense secretary Esper and CIA director Haspel, and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Milley will address the Senate.

I guess the earlier tweet by Pres. Trump will be stepped up with some more formal communication.
Speaking on the Middle East risksFrench Foreign Minister says
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