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In the first session of the week investors traded cautiously as they wait for new messages coming from central bank officials on the interest rate path ahead. In particular, all eyes are on the ECB Governing Council meeting on Thursday, where the ECB is expected to keep rates unchanged and reiterate the data dependency approach for 1H2024.

Yesterday's data releases showed a stronger-than-expected labour market in the US, with non-farm payrolls increasing by 130k in January and unemployment rate easing 0.1pp to 4.3%. The data reinforced market expectations that the Fed will deliver two rate cuts this year, likely starting in the summer, rather than signaling an earlier or more aggressive easing cycle.

In yesterday's session, weaker-than-expected US retail sales in December combined with expected lower consumption due to harsh winter conditions, reinforced expectations of interest rate cuts during the year, with the first one occurring in June. Today key employment data will be released which should add further clarity on the interest-rate path.

Markets started the week on a moderately positive note. In a session with no major economic releases, volatility declined, stocks rose moderately across advanced economies, and EM equities were mixed.

Global stocks rebounded and sovereign yields continued to decline as investors cemented their expectations for rate cuts ahead of the Fed's next week meeting. The USD weakened moderately across other major currencies and gold prices continued to surge.

Risk appetite remained relatively high in the market yesterday as US inflation figures for April came in slightly below expectations at 2.3% YoY, with core inflation holding at 2.8%. Separately, the NFIB survey showed that small business optimism fell moderately in April. Against this backdrop, US Treasury yields were broadly unchanged.

Euro area sovereign yields edged lower, while the EURUSD cross held steady near 1.18, after the region's January inflation cooled, with headline inflation falling to 1.7% from 2.0% on lower energy prices and core easing to 2.2% as services inflation moderated. Attention now turns to today’s ECB policy meeting, where rates are expected to remain unchanged.

Investors kicked off the week on a cautious footing, ahead of the ECB’s meeting later this week, which is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged (depo rate at 2%), while markets continued to digest Kevin Warsh’s nomination to replace Jerome Powell as Fed Chair. Sentiment was also weighed by the sharp sell-off in precious metals that began late last week.

Monetary policy decisions remained the key focus for investors on Thursday. The Bank of England and the Swiss National Bank raised rates by 25bp and 50bp to 4.25% and 1.5%, respectively, following the move by the Fed on Wednesday to hike rates by 25bp and to signal that there could be additional increases if financial turmoil recedes.

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.

In yesterday's session investors traded cautiously amid expectations of a faster monetary policy tightening from the Fed. Implicit interest rates are discounting the first rate hike in the spring, earlier than previously expected. The inflation report to be released this Wednesday and the speech by the Fed head Powell in Congress today will be key.

In line with expectations, the Federal Reserve raised its policy rate by 50 bp to the 0.75-1.00% range and confirmed a plan to reduce the size of its balance sheet (with a monthly cap of $95 billion). The Fed chair Powell noted that the recovery could withstand tighter monetary policy but also ruled out more aggressive rate hikes of 75 bp.

Financial markets continued to digest the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates. Sovereign bond yields edged lower in the euro area and were stable in the U.S., while the dollar extended its recent weakening trend, leaving EUR/USD trading near 1.175. Futures markets continued to price in two rate cuts for next year, despite a seemingly divided FOMC.

Markets ended Friday mixed as Fed guidance revived rate-cut bets, tempering weak sentiment in Asia and Europe. Comments from Fed Williams suggesting December interest rate cuts could align with inflation goals boosted markets' expectations for such event and drove US Treasury yields slightly down.

As expected, the Federal Reserve lowered the federal funds rate by 25bp to 3.50%–3.75%. Following the announcement, Treasury yields fell, U.S. equities advanced, and the dollar weakened, leaving EUR/USD trading near 1.17. After three consecutive rate cuts, the Fed signaled it will likely pause to assess how the economy evolves.

In yesterday's session, investors' sentiment deteriorated amid the expectation of a tighter monetary policy from the Federal Reserve and the ECB and disappointing corporate results. Concerns about the Covid-19 situation in China added to the somber sentiment.

Markets ended the week lower as long-term yields surged and several Fed officials expressed their worries about inflation. Sovereign curves steepened: short-end rates eased but long and ultra-long maturities rose, after hawkish remarks from Cleveland Fed President Hammack calling for higher rates to curb inflation.

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.