IS Risk Analytics' View From the Desk - July 2021

Jeff Wilkins
By: Jeff Wilkins
Market Commentary Insights Monthly View from the Desk

Jul

July volumes rebounded slightly from depressed June figures, but profits again disappointed as a result of retail traders generally making money in July’s favorable market conditions. Gold and indices were with primary driver of revenues while profits from major currency pairs, especially EURUSD, were fairly poor.

Jul 21 Volumes black*Average Daily Volume represents the daily volume from ISRA customers for each day of the month divided by the average daily volume for the month. Each day is represented as a percent of the average.

July 21 B book** Average Daily B Book PnL represents the daily B Book PnL from ISRA customers for each day of the month divided by the average daily B Book PnL for the month. Each day is represented as a percent of the average.

Source: IS Risk Analytics Database. Past Performance is not necessarily indicative of future results

ASIA

The Chinese government has escalated its crackdown on tech companies in recent months. Antitrust scrutiny has come down on at least 35 internet companies and a number of other firms have been the victim of data security enforcement. Though the news initially put downward pressure on equity markets, both U.S and Asian equity indices have rallied since the initial decline.

EUROPE

GDP in the European Union rose by over 13% in the second quarter when compared with the same period in 2020 and 2.0% over the prior quarter, but unlike the economies of the United States and China European GDP has still not returned to pre-pandemic levels and may not do so until the end of the year. Reaching that target is contingent upon no additional economic restrictions being put in place as result of the emerging new variants of Covid 19.

AMERICAS

The US economy grew 6.5% on an annualized basis in the second quarter of the year. While a strong figure under normal circumstances, the figure was well below the 8.5% growth that has been projected. Experts attribute the underperformance to supply chain disruptions and labor shortages. Inflation has also been a concern in the US as data released in July showed that the consumer price index rose by 5.4% for the twelve months ending in June, that largest gain since 2008.