U.S. housing starts expanded to the highest level in nearly 8 years to 1.21 million annualized units with positive revisions in June. This is on top of last week's strong retail sales as well as employment numbers.
The strength in these fundamentals bolsters the U.S. dollar which is about the last thing that emerging markets, in particular China, need right now. Overnight, China's Shenzhen A-shares collapsed by nearly 7 percent, its devaluation is the recognition that China has a serious growth problem.
"China growth problems are crushing commodities, which adds to the pressure on emerging currencies from Asia to Latin America and alas, even the U.S. energy sector is not immune", says Voya Global.


Bank of Japan Unveils New Inflation Gauge to Support Case for Future Rate Hikes
China Opens Door to Stronger U.S. Trade Ties Amid Rising Tensions
Iran Allows Oil Tankers Through Strait of Hormuz Amid U.S. Negotiations
Oil Prices Slip as Middle East Tensions Ease, Heading for Weekly Loss
UK Consumer Confidence Weakens Amid Middle East Conflict and Rising Living Costs
Bank of Japan Officials Signal Continued Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Concerns
U.S. Stock Futures Steady as Iran Reviews U.S. Ceasefire Proposal
Australia's Inflation Eases in February but Core Pressures Persist
Oil Prices Climb as Iran Reviews U.S. Peace Proposal Amid Middle East Tensions
Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 



