European Equities: COVID-19, the ECB, and Economic Data in Focus

Economic Calendar:Thursday, 29th October

German Unemployment Change (Oct)

German Unemployment Rate (Oct)

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Spanish CPI (YoY) Prelim

Spanish HICP (YoY) (Oct) Prelim

Deposit Facility Rate (Oct)

ECB Monetary Policy Decision / Statement / Press Conference

German CPI (MoM) (Oct) Prelim

Friday, 30th October

French GDP (QoQ) (Q3) 1st Estimate

German GDP (Q3) 1st Estimate

German Retail Sales (MoM) (Sep)

French Consumer Spending (MoM) (Sep)

French CPI / HICP (Oct) Prelim

Italian CPI (MoM) Prelim

Spanish GDP (QoQ) (Q3) 1st Estimate

Italian CPI (MoM) (Oct) Prelim

Eurozone Inflation / GDP / Unemployment Rate

[fx-article-ad]The Majors

It was a 3rd consecutive day in the red for the European majors on Wednesday. The DAX30 tumbled by 4.17%, with the CAC40 and the EuroStoxx600 sliding by 3.37% and by 2.95% respectively.

Market concern over the surge in new COVID-19 cases and measures to contain the virus continued to weigh.

Hopes of a v-shaped economic recovery have diminished, with the 4th quarter likely to be materially impacted by the virus.

News of lockdown measures across key economies of the Eurozone has raised the prospects of another economic meltdown.

France and Germany both announced new lockdown measures in a bid to contain the virus.

Adding to the market angst that pulled the European majors down to levels last seen in late May was a lack of progress towards a stimulus package in the U.S.

The Stats

It was a quiet day on the Eurozone economic calendar. There were no material stats from the Eurozone to distract the markets from the 2nd wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

From the U.S

It was a quieter day on the economic calendar. Key stats included September trade data and retail inventories.

The stats had a muted impact on the majors, however, with the U.S equity markets following the European majors into the red.

The Market Movers

For the DAX:It was yet another particularly bearish day for the auto sector on Wednesday.BMWslumped by 5.35% to lead the way down, withDaimlersliding by 4.96%.ContinentalandVolkswagenwerent far behind, with losses of 4.37% and 4.55% respectively.

It was a mixed day for the banks. Deutsche Bankeked out a 0.24% gain, while Commerzbankslid by 3.56%

From the CAC, it was another particularly bearish day for the banks. BNP Paribasslid by 5.18%, with Credit Agricoleand Soc Genending the day down by 4.36% and by 4.71% respectively.

It was also another bearish day for the French auto sector. Peugeotfell by 4.54%, with Renault tumbling by 7.96%.

Air France-KLMslid by 5.75%, with Airbus SEending the day with a 3.48% loss.

On the VIX Index

It was a 3rd consecutive day in the green for the VIX on Wednesday. Following on from a 2.74% gain on Tuesday, the VIX surged by 20.78% to end the day at 40.28.

The upward trend through the 1st half of the week took the VIX to 40 levels for the 1st time since June.

COVID-19 and the reintroduction of lockdown measures in Europe, together with rising cases in the U.S drove the VIX northwards.

On Wednesday, the Dow and S&P500 slid by 3.43% and 3.53% respectively, with the NASDAQ seeing a loss of 3.73%.

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The Day Ahead

Its a busier day on the Eurozone economic calendar. Key stats include German unemployment figures for October and prelim October inflation figures from Spain and Germany.

On the monetary policy front, the ECB will also be in action. The latest lockdown measures will likely to deliver a dovish tone, while the ECB is expected to stand pat on policy.

From the U.S, 3rd quarter GDP figures and the weekly jobless claims figures will also be in focus on the day.

While the stats will influence, the latest lockdown measures will likely mute the impact of any positive numbers, however.

Key drivers on the day will continue to be Brexit, COVID-19, and U.S politics. The U.S Presidential Election is less than a week away.

The Futures

In the futures markets, at the time of writing, the Dow was up by 129 points.

For a look at all of todays economic events, check out our economic calendar.