Evolution of the international financial markets and evaluation of the main events and economic indicators of the previous day session. Available in English.
Investors started the week on a positive note. Stocks rose across advanced and emerging economies on the back of optimism over the economic outlook. Positive market sentiment also led to higher commodity prices, and Brent oil prices nudged past $60.
In the last session of the week, investor sentiment continued to improve amid a positive earnings season (51% of US companies reported a +10% surprise in earnings) and a mixed employment report in the US.
Investors continued trading in a risk-on mood yesterday as the vaccination process continues, and, symbolically, the number of people vaccinated across the world reaches the number of COVID-19 cases.
Mario Draghi met Italy's president Sergio Mattarella on Wednesday and agreed to try to form a government of national unity after the recent collapse of the government coalition. It is however uncertain whether Draghi will be able to put together a willing coalition of parties.
Investors traded in a risk-on mood yesterday amid better-than-expected GDP data in the eurozone (-0.7% qoq in Q4) and a continuation of stimulus negotiations in the US.
An improving health situation in the US combined with the prospect of a bipartisan stimulus package have led to a 1.6% jump in the S&P 500 on Monday, its largest daily gain in two months.
Stocks slid in Europe amid rising concerns over delays to the vaccine rollout in the continent and the economic impact of a new strain of COVID-19. A vaccine produced by AstraZeneca and Oxford University was approved by the EU's regulator on Friday but difficulties in delivering shipments to the bloc are leading to rising tensions.
Stock markets rebounded across advanced economies and implied volatility eased as risk sentiment improved.
Markets suffered a risk-off session yesterday. Volatility jumped to levels not seen since autumn and stocks sold off across advanced and emerging economies, while the USD strengthened and commodity prices declined.
Investors traded cautiously in yesterday's session. The IMF updated its global economic forecasts – raising world GDP growth in 2021 to 5.5% but lowering the euro area's 2021 projections to 4.2% (-1.0pp). Spain's 2021 GDP growth forecast was lowered to 5.9% (-1.3pp).
Volatility increased in the first session of the week as investors pondered over worsening pandemic dynamics. Stocks were mixed, advancing moderately in the U.S. and in emerging Asia while retreating across euro area core and peripheral countries.
Markets ended the week on a cautious note as investors worried over deteriorating pandemic dynamics (compounded by news suggesting that the British strain of the coronavirus could be deadlier) and euro area indicators pointed at a decline in activity in January (the area-wide flash composite PMI nudged down to 47.5 points).