Latest News

International stocks steady, metals fly

Worldwide shares were blended on Tuesday ahead of this week's U.S. inflation reading and a. vital European Reserve bank conference, while commercial metals. rates extended recent gains on expectations of an around the world. making rebound.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.1% in early. trade, while futures on Wall Street were muted.

Stock markets seem to be in a holding pattern at the minute. and I think that will continue till we get more clearness on. inflation and the state of the economy, said Dan. Boardman-Weston, CIO at BRI Wealth Management.

Markets are waiting to see what the inflation print is and. how that changes expectations for rate cuts going forward.

Expectations for U.S. rate cuts have actually been receding this year. on the back of robust financial information and sticky inflation. readings.

Traders are now pricing around 62 basis points (bps) of cuts. from the Federal Reserve in 2024, suggesting around 2 or 3. quarter-point cuts, below around 150 bps at the start of the. year.

For now a minimum of, the main style has actually been the continuation. of recently's trends, consisting of a growing number of doubts about rate. cuts this year, and growing worries about inflation, Deutsche. Bank strategist Jim Reid said.

It's a similar story in Europe, where the focus is on. Thursday's ECB policy statement, with markets anticipated to. search remarks from President Christine Lagarde for hints that. rates could be cut in June.

Germany's 10-year bund yield dipped to 2.415% on. Tuesday after touching a three-week high of 2.457% the day. in the past, while the euro held firm at $1.0855.

The yen, meanwhile, continues to face heavy pressure as. financiers see any lags in worldwide rate cuts as leaving the space. large with Japan's near-zero rate of interest.

At 151.915 per dollar, the yen is a hair from. last month's 34-year low of 151.975. Versus the euro, the yen. is at its weakest for three weeks at 164.97.

Japanese Financing Minister Shunichi Suzuki said authorities. would not rule out any alternatives in handling extreme yen. relocations, duplicating his caution that Tokyo is all set to act versus. the currency's recent sharp decreases.

We expect (Japan) to step in above 152, but not. right away on a break, Standard Chartered strategist Steve. Englander stated in a note to clients.

METALS FLY

On the other hand, industrial metals rates extended their gains on. Tuesday in the middle of expectations of a worldwide manufacturing rebound,. while shares in the Asia-Pacific region increased.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan. increased 0.6%. Japan's Nikkei 225 rose. 1.1%

In Shanghai, the most-traded May copper futures. increased more than 1% to a record high, while zinc and tin. made multi-month peaks and aluminium traded. just below Monday's two-year top.

Even iron ore, battered by China's home. downturn, steadied above $100 a tonne in Singapore.

It's practically a China bet, said Vishnu Varathan, head. of economics at Mizuho Bank in Singapore.

It's accompanied a worldwide manufacturing bottoming, and I. believe that plays well into China's industrial healing. That. aspect of it is a broader-based story for metals.

On Monday, data revealed German commercial production rose. more than anticipated in February.

Last week, data revealed U.S. manufacturing growing for the. very first time in one-and-a-half years. China's manufacturing. activity expanded for the first time in six months in March.

Meanwhile, spot gold struck another record high,. supported by central bank buying and increased geopolitical. stress, according to BRI's Boardman-Weston.

I believe the rally may continue in the short-term, he said.

There are a few reasons why it has moved up and I think it. has legs behind it.

(source: Reuters)