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MORNING quote AMERICAS-Stocks hold records with Powell in view, Nikkei tops 40k

A look at the day ahead in U.S. and international markets from Mike Dolan

Tape-record tech-led U.S. and world stock indexes, a recoil in Treasury bond yields and the prospect of fresh Chinese stimulus produce a powerful mixed drink heading into today's secret statement from Federal Reserve employer Jerome Powell.

Japan's Nikkei notched another milestone overnight, topping 40,000 for the first time as the artificial intelligence driver fizzed around the world. Chip-testing devices maker Advantest, which counts AI darling Nvidia amongst its consumers, was up 3.7% and chip-making equipment giant Tokyo Electron got another 2.4%.

South Korea's Kospi added more than 1%, while Taiwan's criteria jumped nearly 2%.

In the slipstream of Wall St's surge to new records on Friday, as the Nasdaq set a new intraday peak for the very first time in more than two years and the Russell 2000 small cap criteria hit its highest considering that early 2022, MSCI's. all-country index clocked all-time highs on. Monday.

Dell Technologies rose 31.62%, its biggest daily. portion gain ever, after the personal computer maker projection. yearly profits and earnings above Wall Street quotes.

All of which came just as U.S. manufacturing readouts for. February surprisingly slipped even more into contractionary. territory, in spite of some indications of stabilisation.

However that factory signal saw a sharp retreat in Treasury. yields, the most significant day-to-day drop in two-year yields << . since January. Which was helped by reasonably benign sounds on. future rate cuts from Friday's long list of Fed speakers, some. of whom provided further indicators about a possible slowing down of the. pace of the reserve bank's balance sheet overflow.

The New York Fed reported on Friday that its over night. reverse repo center, which it utilizes to assist put a floor. underneath short-term interest rates, took in $441.3 billion -. its most affordable level in almost three years.

Dallas Fed president Lorie Logan said the Fed's balance. sheet rundown was advancing without much problem, however it would. most likely requirement to slow the speed of the overflow when that crucial reverse. repo facility is tired.

Treasuries were likewise captivated by indications from Fed. Governor Chris Waller, who stated he would like to see Treasury. holdings shift to a larger share of short-dated securities.

All of which tees up Powell's essential congressional testimonies. today, beginning at your home Financial Providers Committee on. Wednesday and reprised at the Senate Banking Committee on. Thursday. The important February jobs report is likewise out Friday.

After a thriving Friday on markets, S&P 500 futures held most. of the gains early Monday - though were a little in the red. ahead of the bell. Treasury yields stayed on the back foot.

In other places, petroleum rates held consistent after hitting. highs for the year on Friday as OPEC+ countries extended output. cuts again. Year-on-year unrefined gains stayed close to no.

China's stocks pushed higher ahead of Tuesday's yearly. National Individuals's Congress, which is anticipated to reveal moderate. stimulus strategies to stabilise growth - even if an in-depth roadmap. of policies to repair the country's deep structural imbalances may. not be forthcoming. Premier Li Qiang is expected to set a growth. target of around 5% for 2024.

However residential or commercial property concerns continue to linger. Property. designers plunged 3.6% to underperform other. sectors, with property huge China Vanke down 4.7%.

Financiers offered China Vanke stock and bonds on Monday as. issue over the designer's liquidity trumped fundraising strategies. and guarantee from a company partner.

In other places, it's a big week for G7 reserve banks - with the. European Central Bank and Bank of Canada both making policy. choices. Britain also unveils its annual budget.

And Bitcoin, currently up more than 50% this year,. rallied to a two-year high, breaking above $65,000 as a wave of. money brought it within about 5% of record levels.

Key diary products that may offer direction to U.S. markets later. on Monday:. * Philadelphia Federal Reserve President Patrick Harker speaks. * U.S. Treasury auctions 3-, 6-month bills. * U.S. corp incomes: Archer-Daniels-Midland, GitLab, Viant. Innovation, Eos Energy etc

(source: Reuters)