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MORNING Bid EUROPE-Bond Markets Shake as Xi’s Tanks Roll

Rocky Swift gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets.

The largest military parade in China's history was held a day after Donald Trump, the president of the United States, re-emerged at the Oval Office on Monday to deny rumors about his health.

Trump, who had been absent from the public eye for days, returned to court to defend his policies on tariffs, deporting immigrants, and firing any public officials he chooses.

In Beijing, the optics were quite different as Xi and Vladimir Putin, along with Kim Jong Un, North Korea, watched missiles, tanks, and drones being paraded. Kim followed the tradition of "bring your daughters to work", showing the world that autocracies are still alive and well.

Bond markets have again raised alarms about the mounting debt and deficits of governments, away from geopolitics. In Asian trading, U.S. Treasury rates ticked higher and Japan's 30-year rate reached a record high.

The sterling fell even further after Tuesday's 1.1% decline when the 30-year gilt yields rose to their highest level since 1998.

Gold is a safe investment when stocks are shaky, and bonds look threatening. Gold reached a record high of $3.546.99 during the Asian trading session.

The euro zone purchasing managers' indexes and the UK JOLTS data will be the first to arrive, followed by the US July JOLTS numbers as a precursor to the nonfarm payrolls figures on Friday.

The markets are pricing in a 89% chance that the Federal Reserve will reduce its key policy rate by 25 basis points this month. Weak labour data could increase the chances of more cuts.

The equity futures market is indicating that Europe will open in positive territory. The Euro Stoxx 50 contract for the entire region was up 0.34% to 5,317. German DAX Futures gained 0.3% to 23,609 and FTSE Futures were up by 0.1% to 9,151.

Trump, in keeping with the positive theme of the day, sent a reassuring message to Xi on Twitter, writing: "Please send my warmest regards for your conspiracies against the United States of America.

The following are key developments that may influence the markets on Wednesday.

- PMIs in Britain, the euro zone and Chicago

Sarah Breeden, of the Bank of England and Catherine Mann both speak at separate events

- European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde speaks

- Euro zone PPI inflation (July)

France: Reopening 3-month, 4-months, 6-months and 11-months government debt auctions

Germany: Reopening 7-month, 2-years, 7-years and 10-years government debt auctions

Reopening the auctions for government debt with terms of 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 3 years

The Federal Reserve will be represented by St. Louis Fed president Alberto Musalem, and Minneapolis Fed president Neel Kahkari.

Job openings in the U.S. for durable goods, JOLTS and U.S. Data.

(source: Reuters)