Resultats de la cerca

Investors continued to trade with a cautious approach at the start of the week, with risk appetite overshadowed by fears of persistent inflationary pressures and a global recession. UK markets remained in focus, after the pound fell near parity against the USD and bond yields surged as the government reiterated plans to cut taxes.

Financial markets started the week with a risk-on session, as fears about the risk that the spread of the omicron variant could lead to more severe restrictions eased. In addition, China's central bank said it would cut the amount of cash that banks must hold in reserve, releasing 1.2 trillion yuan in long-term liquidity.

Volatility remained elevated across financial markets, with investors keeping the focus on the mix of monetary and fiscal policy across advanced economies, more notably in the UK. On the data front, growth in house prices in the US slowed down in July while US consumer confidence improved for a second month in a row in September.

In the first trading session of the year, stock markets rose in the U.S. and they were mixed in Europe, declining in core countries and advancing in the Euro Area periphery.

In yesterday's session, investors continued to trade with a risk-on mood, taking position ahead of potential surprises in the crucial CPI inflation report in the US due to be released today. The headline index is expected to decline m/m, increasing the odds for a 25bp hike in the next Federal Reserve meeting, instead of a 50bp hike.

In the last trading session before Christmas, stock markets declined and long-term sovereign yields remained stable (with the exception of Portugal, whose risk premium undid part of the week's strong decline as investors are still calibrating the implications of the improved sovereign rating)

In yesterday’s session, investors traded cautiously focusing their attention on the corporate earnings season and being attentive to the monetary policy path ahead and to the geopolitical risks. In this context, yields on sovereign bonds surged in advanced economies, with the 10-treasury getting closer to 5%.

In the last session of the week, investors traded with a risk-off mood amid fears of a escalating conflict in the Middle East. The VIX index, despite remaining at historically moderate levels, reached its highest level since March and stock indices declined across the globe.

Investor sentiment ended the week on the up amid positive reports over a potential antiviral drug to treat COVID-19. As risk appetite rose, stocks increased across Europe and the U.S., the USD weakened and commodity prices advanced (in oil markets, the barrel of Brent closed moderately above $43).

Friday´s session was clouded by the risk that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could escalate further causing a sustained rise in oil prices. On the economic side, US University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment fell from 68 to 63 from last month and China exports fell, although by less than expected by the consensus.

In yesterday’s session, investors once more weighed the growing tensions in the Middle East and the future path of interest rates. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the central bank would proceed carefully with rates, highlighting that the rise in yields in bond markets is helping to tighten financial conditions.

Financial markets closed the week with a sell-off session amid concerns of a new coronavirus variant identified in South Africa. The main concerns are the speed at which this variant can spread and whether it will be immune to the vaccines. Volatility rose and demand for safe assets increased.

On Thursday, German Bund yields rebounded by +5bp, partially reversing the broad decline seen earlier this week, following a positive surprise in the country’s industrial orders data in November (+5.6% mom). Other euro area sovereign yields were broadly stable, leading to a further narrowing of peripheral spreads.

Macroeconomic events and data releases shadowed latest developments of the Ukrainian war, as the ECB meeting and US CPI inflation centered stage in financial markets. On the latter, headline inflation rose as expected in February from 7.5% to 7.9% and core inflation rose from 6.0% to 6.4%.

Market sentiment remained downbeat due to persistent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and continued weakness in AI-related market segments. In commodities, energy prices lacked clear direction, with Brent edging lower and TTF prices rising. The dollar strengthened modestly against the euro, on expectations of a resilient U.S. economy.

Financial markets were whipsawed on Tuesday, with an early equity rebound led by AI-related stocks giving way to renewed volatility after the US announced strikes on Iranian sites late in the session. In commodities, crude oil and natural gas prices fell, reflecting easing Middle East tensions earlier in the day before geopolitical risks re‑emerged towards the close.

In a session where the inflow of macroeconomic and sentiment data was abundant in the U.S. and in the euro area, investors read it, overall, in the downside.

Financial markets had a mixed session following Sunday's German national election, in which results were as expected: the conservative CDU/CSU won and a "grand coalition" with the socialdemocrats is likely. However, AfD and the Left won enough seats to block changes to the debt break.

Investors ended the week on a cautious note as they assessed the prospects for renewed US–Iran talks over the weekend. Energy prices were volatile, with Brent crude finally settling around $105/bbl and European TTF gas near €45/MWh.