financetom
Market
financetom
/
Market
/
Global stocks dither, bonds steady as recession worries weigh
News World Market Environment Technology Personal Finance Politics Retail Business Economy Cryptocurrency Forex Stocks Market Commodities
Global stocks dither, bonds steady as recession worries weigh
Apr 6, 2023 8:08 AM

Global stocks drifted on Thursday and US Treasury yields hovered near multi-month lows as traders awaited crucial US jobs data that may add to mounting concerns about a global economic slowdown.

Share Market Live

NSE

As equity investors avoid strong bets, ahead of the Good Friday holiday when the market-moving monthly US non-farm payrolls report will also be released, the broad MSCI index of world stocks traded flat.

Europe's Stoxx 600 share index added 0.3%, boosted by data showing German industrial output rose significantly more than forecast in February. But recession fears weighed on US stock futures and crude oil.

US Nasdaq E-mini futures pointed to a 0.5% drop at the New York open after the tech stock benchmark slumped 1% overnight. E-mini futures for the broader S&P 500 slipped 0.1%, following Wednesday's 0.25% slide.

Also Read: Gold hits record high on weak US economic data

Following the US Federal Reserve's most aggressive cycle of interest rate hikes in decades, to battle stubbornly high inflation, traders are now positioning for the central bank to turn much more dovish.

Data overnight showed US private employers hired far fewer workers than expected in March, adding to signs from earlier in the week of a loosening labour market. The country's services sector also slowed more than expected, while earlier figures showed a stalling at factories as well.

"What we're seeing this week is those rate hikes having an impact on the broad economy for about the first time," Roger Lee, head of UK equity strategy at Investec, said. "The market is extrapolating this recent data for the conviction that there is going to be a U.S. recession imminently."

Economists polled by Reuters expect to see US employers added 240,000 new workers in March, down from 311,000 the previous month. Average earnings growth is also expected to have slowed to 4.3% year-over-year, from 4.6% in March.

Money markets now see the odds of a further quarter-point hike at the May meeting versus a pause as a coin toss. And 74 basis points of easing are priced in by year-end.

Also Read: World Bank lowers India's FY23-24 GDP growth forecast to 6.3% from 6.6% earlier

"Investors should not rush to buy the pivot, as when the Fed cuts rates, it is too late to prevent a recession," Barclays chief European equity strategist Emmanual Cau said.

Treasury yields, which move inversely to prices of the debt securities, have fallen far in recent weeks as traders added risk in bond markets instead of equities.

The yield on the 10-year note stood at around 3.29% on Thursday morning in London, sticking close to the nearly seven-month low of 3.266% reached overnight.

Germany's 10-year bund yield, a benchmark for Eurozone borrowing costs, added 2 basis points to 2.2%.

This German yield now stands far below its level of about 2.7% from early March, before the failure of two U.S. banks and Credit Suisse's rescue by UBS sparked concerns about banks lending cautiously to safeguard capital, potentially harming growth.

Also Read: China’s services activity surges to more than two-year high

The dollar index was steady against other major currencies at 101.84, bumping around a two-month low.

Spot gold slipped 0.1% from a one-year high reached on Wednesday, to $2,019 per ounce, but remained more than 2% higher for the week.

Oil was also under pressure, despite a surprise output cut decision by OPEC+ producers at the weekend. Brent crude, the global benchmark, was off 0.3% at $84.76 a barrel.

Comments
Welcome to financetom comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Related Articles >
Japan's Nikkei hits record high on Wall Street gains, weaker yen
Japan's Nikkei hits record high on Wall Street gains, weaker yen
Mar 21, 2024
TOKYO, March 22 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average hit a record high on Friday, underpinned by the strength on Wall Street overnight and as a weaker yen prompted investors to buy automakers. The Nikkei rose to as high as 41,087.75 earlier in the session, crossing the 41,000 level for the first time. The index ended 0.07% higher at 40,844.53...
Japan's Nikkei ends at record high on Wall Street gains, weaker yen
Japan's Nikkei ends at record high on Wall Street gains, weaker yen
Mar 22, 2024
(Updates to closing prices) TOKYO, March 22 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average closed at an all-time high on Friday, underpinned by record gains on Wall Street overnight and strength in automakers' stocks on a weaker yen. The Nikkei rose 0.18% to end at 40,888.43, after hitting 41,087.75 earlier in the session to break an all-time intraday high. The index,...
Sector Update: Financial
Sector Update: Financial
Mar 21, 2024
03:19 PM EDT, 03/21/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks advanced late Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Financial Index and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) each rising 0.9%. The Philadelphia Housing Index climbed 1.8%, and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) was adding 0.4% Bitcoin (BTC-USD) dropped 4% to $65,176, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries...
Sector Update: Health Care
Sector Update: Health Care
Mar 21, 2024
03:42 PM EDT, 03/21/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks rose late Thursday afternoon with the NYSE Health Care Index adding 0.2% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) rising 0.3%. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) climbed 0.9%. In corporate news, Eledon Pharmaceuticals ( ELDN ) shares surged 12% after it said its tegoprubart monoclonal antibody was used...
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.financetom.com All Rights Reserved