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Financial markets had a mixed session on Wednesday. Eurozone sovereign yields edged higher, with curves steepening and peripheral spreads widening, even as the Ifo index surprised to the downside, signaling weaker business sentiment in Germany. Final CPI figures for November came in a tenth lower in the general year-on-year rate.

Markets rallied on Thursday as US inflation eased more than expected in November (2.6% vs. 3.0% YoY), boosting risk appetite. The moderation may partly reflect delayed data collection due to the recent government shutdown. Separately, initial jobless claims fell by 13,000 last week. Treasury yields dropped and investors' rate-cut expectations for the Fed remained broadly unchanged.

Friday’s session had a risk-on tone, with global bond yields rising after the Bank of Japan raised rates to 0.75% and signaled further tightening. European yields were additionally supported by higher ECB inflation forecasts for 2026 and plans to fund new aid to Ukraine through increased debt issuance.

Yesterday's session ended on a mixed tone with relatively small movements, as investors traded cautiously ahead of today's important data releases in the US, particularly Q3 GDP, which will be released today. Sovereign yields barely changed, with a small flattening of the US curve, while European stock indices receded and the US ones ticked higher, pushed by tech firms.

In yesterday's session, European government bond yields broadly fell after December inflation numbers for Germany and France came in lower than expected, lowering odds of future rate hikes from the ECB. Investors will be attentive to today's release of December CPI in the euro area, looking for more hints on the rate path in the short term.

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.

Investors ended the week on a mixed note after US December jobs data showed the unemployment rate falling to 4.4%, prompting markets to push back expectations for the next Fed rate cut from March to June. As a result, 2-year Treasury yields edged higher and the US dollar strengthened. Equities nonetheless advanced to new highs.

The week began on a cautious note, with US Treasury yields remaining flat, equities posting modest gains, and the US dollar edging lower amid reports that Fed Chair Jerome Powell has been threatened with a criminal indictment related to the costs of a building renovation, which he described as a pretext by President Trump to exert influence over monetary policy.

Markets showed limited reaction to the release of US December inflation data, which confirmed headline and core inflation unchanged at 2.7% and 2.6% yoy, respectively. US Treasury yields ended the session broadly flat, equities edged lower, and the US dollar was little changed against most major peers. Futures markets continue to price in the first Fed rate cut in June.

Risk-off session as geopolitical risks remained in focus. Oil prices climbed for a fifth consecutive session, with Brent crude gaining more than 10% over the past five days to trade around $66/barrel. Gold reached fresh record highs above $4,600/ounce. On both sides of the Atlantic, sovereign yields edged lower, while equities modestly retreated.

Risk sentiment improved during yesterday’s session. US Treasury yields edged higher after weekly unemployment benefit claims declined, reinforcing expectations that the Fed will keep interest rates on hold in January. Equities advanced, supported by renewed optimism around artificial intelligence following strong results from Taiwanese semiconductors.

Financial markets ended Friday on a mixed note ahead of a long weekend in the US, where markets are closed today for Martin Luther King Day. US Treasury yields moved higher following mixed macro data: industrial production rose, while the NAHB Index signaled continued weakness in housing construction. European sovereign yields also edged up, with the French spread widening after PM Lecornu announced it will amend again the budget draft to secure parliamentary approval.

European investors began the week with a risk-off tone, as US markets were closed for the Martin Luther King holiday. Sentiment deteriorated after Trump announced plans to impose new tariffs on European countries siding with Denmark in the Greenland dispute and the EU hinted at possible retaliation.

Markets turned risk-off on Tuesday as Trump renewed tariff threats against Europe linked to his controversial Greenland acquisition proposal. Equity indices fell on both sides of the Atlantic, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq leading losses. Implied volatility rose, pushing the VIX higher.

Investor risk appetite improved after Trump ruled out using force to acquire Greenland and signaled a NATO framework for a potential deal over it, abandoning earlier tariff threats on Europe. This supported most US financial assets during the session and made implied volatility fell markedly across asset classes.

Risk-on dominated markets for a second day as Trump’s Greenland spat faded. US short-term Treasury yields slipped after upbeat macro data: Q3 GDP was revised to 4.4% SAAR, November consumer spending stayed firm, while initial jobless claims ticked higher in the week ended January 17.

On Friday, the Japanese yen strengthened sharply after the Bank of Japan left its policy rate at 0.75% and signaled a hawkish stance. Speculation around potential currency intervention intensified after New York Fed officials reportedly sought information on the yen’s exchange rate, and Prime Minister Takaichi warned of action against “abnormal” market moves.

During yesterday's session, the Japanese equity index Nikkei-225 fell nearly 2% amid concerns over a potential currency intervention. Global stocks advanced modestly, as investors traded cautiously ahead of a heavy earnings calendar, with major tech firms reporting later this week (up to 33% of the S&P 500 capitalization reports this week).

With the focus on today’s Fed policy rate decision, widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged, euro area government bond yields ended yesterday's session flat, while the US yield curve slightly steepened. Investors will be attentive to any hints given in the FOMC press conference for future rate paths.

As expected, the Federal Reserve maintained its policy rate in the 3.50%-3.75% range. Fed Chair Jerome Powell struck a somewhat hawkish tone, highlighting activity strength, labor market stabilization and elevated inflation. Treasury yields ended the session flat and the dollar rebounded from its sharp decline since last Friday, gaining against the euro and the yen.