• Dow Jones continues to churn just above 39,000.00 after Thursday’s mixed data.
• US data came in mixed on Thursday, leaving the American market session in the lurch.
• Investors now pivot to face Friday’s US PCE Price Index inflation print.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) went sideways on Thursday, finding tentative gains but battling the downside as traders grapple with a mixed print on the US data docket. US Initial Jobless Claims printed better than expected, but still on the higher end of recent figures, while US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) rose faster than expected in Q1. Equities will now be on the lookout for Friday’s US PCE Price Index inflation, which is still expected to show an overall easing in core price pressures in May.

US Initial Jobless Claims for the week ended Jun 21 came in better than expected, showing 233K net new jobless benefits seekers compared to the forecast 236K, and down slightly further from the previous week’s 238K. The four-week average for Initial Jobless Claims jumped to 236K, bringing the newest week-on-week figure back below the running average.

US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) met expectations on Thursday, with Q1 GDP slightly revised to 1.4% from the initial print of 1.3%. Core Personal Consumption Expenditures in the first quarter also rose slightly, ticking up to 3.7% QoQ versus the forecast hold at 3.6%. Thursday’s upcoming Presidential debate, due to start after the day’s market close, will draw some attention as investors keep an eye out for possible policy hints from candidates