(Bloomberg) — Stocks in Europe and Asia gained as traders wagered that US inflation is cooling, reducing pressure for aggressive rate hikes from the Federal Reserve.
Most Read from Bloomberg
The benchmark European stocks gauge was pushed higher by mining and energy corporations amid optimism over demand from China as its economy reopens. On Wall Street, Nasdaq 100 contracts were regular after the technology sector, one among the most-beaten down groups through the Fed’s tightening campaign, led gains amongst US shares on Wednesday. Those for the S&P 500 were little modified.
Treasuries crept higher, adding to gains within the US session, while a gauge of dollar strength was little modified as investors looked beyond the drumbeat of hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials.
Every aspect of the CPI report, due later Thursday, will likely be scrutinized, with extra attention on core inflation, which excludes food and energy and is seen as a greater indicator than the headline measure. The projected 5.7% increase can be well above the Fed’s goal, helping explain its intention of keeping rates higher for longer. However the year-over-year price growth would also show moderation.
“Given recent developments within the oil markets and with food price growth abating, investors will look to the core reading to get a greater insight into underlying price pressures, which could remain quite sticky,” economists at Rand Merchant Bank in Johannesburg said in a note.
In Asia, an index of the region’s shares climbed for a ninth time in 10 days because it headed for the best level in about five months. The yen rallied on a report that the Bank of Japan will look into the unintended effects of its ultra-loose monetary policy. Japanese government bond futures slid to the bottom since 2014 and the yield on the nation’s benchmark 10-year debt sat hard against the BOJ’s 0.5% ceiling.
Inflation data for China showed factory-gate prices falling greater than expected in December and consumer prices ticking up as the top of Covid Zero snarled manufacturing operations but eliminated mobility curbs on people. The offshore yuan fluctuated while remaining near Wednesday’s closing level.
While Chinese assets have been top performers globally in recent months, many large foreign investors are wary of trusting the federal government given the regulatory shocks of 2022.
Read: China Trauma Proves Too Much for US Funds to Trust Xi Just Yet
Elsewhere in markets, oil steadied after five days of gains ahead of the US inflation figures and as China’s crude buying ramps up before the Lunar Latest Yr holidays.
Gold climbed ahead of the information, which can determine whether its two-month uptrend continues.
Key events this week:
-
US CPI, initial jobless claims, Thursday
-
St Louis Fed President James Bullard at Wisconsin Bankers Association virtual event, Thursday
-
Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin speaks at VBA/VA Chamber, Thursday
-
China trade, Friday
-
US University of Michigan consumer sentiment, Friday
-
Citigroup, JPMorgan, Wells Fargo report earnings, Friday
This week’s MLIVE Pulse Survey:
A few of the principal moves in markets:
Stocks
-
The Stoxx Europe 600 rose 0.5% as of 8:27 a.m. London time
-
S&P 500 futures were little modified
-
Nasdaq 100 futures were little modified
-
Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average were little modified
-
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 0.4%
-
The MSCI Emerging Markets Index was little modified
Currencies
-
The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was little modified
-
The euro was little modified at $1.0752
-
The Japanese yen rose 0.5% to 131.75 per dollar
-
The offshore yuan was little modified at 6.7646 per dollar
-
The British pound was little modified at $1.2139
Cryptocurrencies
-
Bitcoin rose 3.2% to $18,117.98
-
Ether rose 4% to $1,396.28
Bonds
-
The yield on 10-year Treasuries declined three basis points to three.51%
-
Germany’s 10-year yield declined six basis points to 2.15%
-
Britain’s 10-year yield declined six basis points to three.35%
Commodities
-
Brent crude rose 0.1% to $82.76 a barrel
-
Spot gold rose 0.4% to $1,882.47 an oz.
This story was produced with the help of Bloomberg Automation.
–With assistance from Tassia Sipahutar and Youkyung Lee.
Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek
©2023 Bloomberg L.P.