Financial markets started the week with subdued trading, as debt and money markets in the US were closed for a Federal holiday. Eurozone sovereign bond yields were fairly flat, with peripheral spreads narrowing slightly, as investors continued to focus on Thursday's ECB meeting, for which they expect a 25bp interest rate cut.
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Revised inflation figures for Spain and France reaffirmed market expectations of a 25bp interest rate cut at this week's ECB meeting. And, while industrial production for the euro block rose in August and sentiment indicators improved in Germany, the data are unlikely to prevent the central bank from delivering a cut.
Investors traded cautiously ahead of the ECB's Governing Council meeting today, for which markets are expecting a 25 bp interest rate cut. Euro area sovereign bond yields fell for a second straight session and the main equity indices in the region were mixed.
Financial markets had a choppy session on Tuesday, with many assets and indices oscillating between gains and losses. Government bonds had a slightly volatile session, ending with higher yields in the eurozone and flat in the US, as traders grappled with a strong primary market supply and different scenarios for the upcoming US presidential election.
Investors traded without a clear direction during Friday’s session. Inflation expectations in the euro area fell to 2.4% and 2.1% for the 1-year and 3-year outlooks, respectively, and sentiment improved in both Germany and the US.
Investors ended the week in a slightly risk-on mood, as they did not to read too much into US employment data which showed a slowdown in job creation in October, disrupted by strikes in the aerospace industry and severe hurricanes.
Financial markets had a volatile session on Tuesday, driven by geopolitical headlines and with no major macro data releases. Eurozone government bond yields fell as several ECB officials speaking during the day supported a dovish ECB, notably Italy's Panetta, who said the ECB should focus on the sluggish economy and move rates to an expansionary stance.
Investors started the week in a risk-on mood, particularly in the US. US Treasury yields fell sharply on the news of Trump's pick for Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, a hedge fund manager seen by investors as fiscally sensible.
Investor risk appetite eased slightly yesterday as government bond yields weighed on equities. In the eurozone, sovereign yields rose, curves flattened and peripheral spreads narrowed. Data released yesterday showed downside surprises in German retail sales and factory orders, and negative sentiment across the EU from the December EC's confidence indicators.
Financial markets traded without a clear direction ahead of the US CPI report expected today. In the US, assets had a choppy trading session, as early optimism driven by unexpectedly low US wholesale inflation in December (PPI +0.2% mom vs. +0.4% expected) was muted later on. In this context, US sovereign bonds and equities closed the session flat.
With US markets closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the rest of global markets traded cautiously ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration. Investors were especially attentive to announcements regarding trade policy, but a memo suggesting he would not impose new tariffs on day one (which he in fact, did not) kept markets at ease.
Investors kicked off the week on a cautious tone following President Trump's tariff threats over the weekend, which he said would include a 25% tariff on aluminium and steel imports (eventually signed via executive order late last night) as well as a series of further reciprocal tariffs on all trading partners.
Investor sentiment ended the week on a mixed note. Eurozone government bond yields rose moderately after the second reading of Q424 GDP came in slightly better than the first (0.1% QoQ vs. 0.0%), with peripheral spreads widening.
Investor risk appetite remained relatively high on Tuesday. In the eurozone, government bond yields were broadly unchanged. The ZEW index showed a rise in German investor sentiment in February, and ECB's Cipollone had some dovish comments on future interest rates, both of which offset news of future higher public spending on defence in the EU.
Markets were mixed during last session as several data releases for the euro area and the US was digested by investors. In the euro area, February's flash composite PMI came slightly below expectations (50.2 vs 50.5 expected), with manufacturing PMI still in contractionary territory (47.3) and services PMI still in expansion (50.7).
Risk-off session in financial markets following the largest monthly drop (seven points) in three years in the U.S. Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which fell to 98.3 (the lowest level since July 2024), while twelve-month inflation expectations surged by almost 1 percentage point.
Mixed sentiment in financial markets as the week came to a close amid political uncertainty in Germany (where Merz has started coalition talks), tariff threats from the Trump Administration (tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports are expected to be reinstated this week) and inflation data on both sides of the Atlantic.
Markets were mixed across the globe during yesterday's session. In the euro area, renewed talks on increasing defense spending and finding a peace deal for Ukraine drove positive sentiment, while in the US, President Trump's announcement that 25% tariffs to Canada and Mexico would be reinstated on March 4th sent markets into a risk-off trading session.
Investors remained cautious on Friday in an uncertain global political environment. Eurozone government bond yields were flat, although peripheral spreads widened slightly. US Treasury yields were also slightly higher, with curves flattening, after the Fed's Powell said that tariffs could fuel inflation but that the economy was fine so the Fed should remain cautious.
Risk-off sentiment dominated investors for most of yesterday's session. In the Eurozone, peripheral spreads narrowed and the German Bund yield curve steepened as talks between political parties over new spending plans continued. US Treasuries rose as well after the JOLTS report showed an increase in job openings in January.