Stock markets around the world have put on their rally caps to start the new trading week, with miners and energy producers leading the charge. US index futures are up 0.4% while the FTSE and CAC are up 0.3% and the DAX is up 0.7%.
Indications from the Bundesbank that the German economy has slowed in Q3 (likely thanks to Brexit) and Chancellor Merkel's party getting hammered in regional elections over the weekend has dragged on the DAX relative to its peers.
Crude oil is bouncing back this morning with WTI up 1.4% and Brent up 1.2%. Speculation about what could come out of the upcoming side meeting between big producers at an upcoming conference in Algeria has picked up on reports that OPEC could call an emergency meeting to ratify any agreement reached at the informal meeting. Renewed fighting in Libya is delaying an expected big ramp-up in exports and has also helped to boost prices, but this could reverse if hostilities ease again.
Higher energy prices have boosted energy stocks which could help the S&P/TSX and oil sensitive currencies like CAD and NOK.
Speculation on what could happen at this week's FOMC and Bank of Japan meetings has also influenced trading today. USD is dropping back as speculation of rising US inflation could force the Fed to raise rates fades. This has helped gold to gain 0.3% and sparked a 1.7% rally in silver, helping mining stocks.
I still think there's a 40% chance of a rate hike and a 60% chance the Fed will use the statement, press conference and projections to hint toward a December increase after the election. With the Republicans having recently accused the Fed of keeping rates low to help the Democrats, this decision could have an impact on the campaign regardless of what the Fed does.