On Thursday, in the last session before the Easter holidays, stock markets posted gains both in the U.S. (S&P 500 +1.4%) and in Europe (Eurostoxx 50 +0.9%). Yesterday, European stock markets were still closed but U.S. markets opened back with losses (S&P 500 -2.2%).

A week-long losing streak in global stock markets ceased on Friday as better than expected earnings results outweighed a worsening of coronavirus cases in the US and Europe. In Europe, the Eurostoxx50 ended the session 1.7% higher despite new coronavirus retrictions in some cities, while the S&P 500 edged up very slightly.

Las bolsas europeas han registrado ligeras caídas ante la reunión del BCE de este próximo jueves. Se espera que el banco central no anuncie medidas de estímulo adicionales tras conocerse la mejoría delas condiciones de crédito en la eurozona. En España, el Ibex35 ha sufrido un mayor ajuste (-1,05%) que sus homólogos europeos por los informes de analistas que han avanzado cierto pesimismo sobre la campaña de resultados de la banca, que comienza hoy.

In yesterday's mixed trading session, the Eurostoxx50 posted a 0.3% loss and European sovereign bond yields edged up as data showed a deterioration of consumer confidence in the euro area.

A quiet session on Wednesday as US markets were closed for the Juneteenth holiday. In the eurozone, government bond yields rose and peripheral spreads widened after the European Commission opened an excessive deficit procedure for France, Italy, Belgium and five other member states under the 2024 European Semester Spring Package.

Investors traded with optimism during yesterday's session. In Europe,  the upward revision of the German Q4 GDP (from +0.1% qoq to +0.3%), supported by exports and construction, led to a rise of 0.5% in Eurostoxx50. European sovereign yields also rose and peripheral spreads widened slightly. 

Markets continued to exhibit a mixed performance as investors weighed data releases and increasing COVID-19 infections. European stocks and sovereign yields declined after euro area industrial production had posted a lower-than-expected rebound in May (+12.4% mom and -20.9% yoy). Yet, in FX markets the euro rose towards $1.14.

New lockdowns in Europe shook investor sentiment yesterday. Volatility jumped to levels not seen since early June and stock markets tumbled across the world (the main U.S. and European indices dropped by close to 4%). Euro area core sovereign yields declined while peripheral spreads rose, and the EUR weakened below $1.18.

Jornada de apetito por el riesgo en los mercados europeos. La consecución ayer de un acuerdo entre las autoridades europeas y el Gobierno griego para desbloquear 10.000 millones de euros del tercer rescate heleno fue el principal catalizador de esta dinámica constructiva.

In the last session of the week, inflation and GDP releases centered the stage in European trading floors. HICP inflation for October surprised on the upside in most euro area countries as well as Q3 GDP figures for Germany (+0.2 q/q instead of the expected contraction). Today aggregated figures for the euro area will be released.