US stocks modestly lower, traders await NFP

Equity prices in the US are falling modestly while European markets finished with important gains. The Dow Jones was down 0.29% at 18,450 points and the Nasdaq was falling 0.20% at 5,220.

In Europe, the Dax rose 1.07%, the CAC 40 gained 0.75% and the FTSE MIB soared 1.42%. The exception was the FTSE 100, that resumed activity after Monday’s holiday in the UK and lost 0.25%.  US  bond yields were rising, with the 10-year at 1.573% while European yields headed lower.

Crude oil was moving higher but it turned to the downside, with the WTI barrel falling below $47.00. Gold was also lower, about to test Monday’s lows located at $1315.

In the forex market, the US dollar was among the top performers, rising particularly versus commodity currencies and the yen. USD/JPY climbed above 103.00 while the DXY was near 96.00.