New York Open Briefing: Thursday, August 20, 2026
The New York session opens with a generally cautious tone, as major equity indices saw declines in earlier trading. The USTEC is down -1.12%, the JP225 -0.97%, the US30 -0.77%, and the US500 -0.65%, while the DE40 fell -0.55%. Gold, XAUUSD, also declined by -0.74%. This contributes to a -0.21 reading on the risk meter. Despite the risk-off sentiment, the USD is the weakest currency over 24 hours, down -0.78%, while the CHF leads with a +0.92% gain.
Recent data releases include US Initial Jobless Claims, which came in at 209K, slightly below the 210K consensus. In the Eurozone, France’s 5-Year OAT Auction yielded 3.37% and the 3-Year OAT Auction yielded 3.17%. Eurozone Construction Output y/y was -0.7%, better than the -1.1% consensus, but Construction Output m/m was -1.3%, missing the -0.4% consensus. Hong Kong’s Unemployment Rate 3-Months registered 3.7%, above the 3.6% consensus.
Looking ahead in the session, the CB Leading Economic Index m/m for the USD is due at 14:00 UTC, with a consensus of -0.1%. The Bank of Mexico Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes are scheduled for 15:00 UTC, and a 30-Year TIPS Auction for the USD will take place at 17:00 UTC. Traders will be watching the CB Leading Economic Index m/m for further insights into the US economic outlook.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Biggest moves since the previous session | USTEC -1.12%, JP225 -0.97%, US30 -0.77% |
| Currency strength, 24h | CHF strongest at +0.92%, USD weakest at -0.78% |
| Risk meter | -0.21 (mildly risk-off) |
Scheduled this session (High and Medium impact)
| Time | Ccy | Event | Impact | Consensus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 UTC | USD | CB Leading Economic Index m/m | Medium | -0.1% |
| 15:00 UTC | MXN | Bank of Mexico Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes | Medium | – |
| 17:00 UTC | USD | 30-Year TIPS Auction | Medium | – |
| 22:45 UTC | NZD | Trade Balance 12-Months | Medium | -2.979B |
| 23:30 UTC | JPY | CPI excl. Food and Energy y/y | Medium | 1.6% |
Times are UTC. This brief describes measured market state and the published schedule. It is not financial advice and nothing in it is a trade recommendation.