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World stocks mixed ahead of United States inflation, metals soar

Worldwide shares were mixed on Tuesday ahead of this week's U.S. inflation data and a vital European Reserve bank meeting, while industrial metals costs extended current gains on expectations of a worldwide making rebound.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.2%, while futures on Wall Street were silenced.

Stock markets appear to be in a holding pattern at the moment and I believe that will continue until we get more clearness on inflation and the state of the economy, stated 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 moving forward.

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

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

In the meantime at least, the main theme has been the extension of recently's trends, including increasingly more doubts about rate cuts this year, and growing worries about inflation, Deutsche Bank strategist Jim Reid said.

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

Germany's 10-year bund yield, the euro area's. benchmark, dipped to 2.397% on Tuesday after touching a. three-week high of 2.457% the day before, while the euro. held firm at $1.0868.

The yen, on the other hand, continues to deal with heavy pressure as. investors see any lags in global rate cuts as leaving the space. wide with Japan's near-zero rates of interest.

At 151.81 per dollar, the yen is a hair from. last month's 34-year low of 151.975. Against the euro, the yen. is at its weakest for 2-1/2 weeks at 165.

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said authorities. would not eliminate any options in handling excessive yen. relocations, repeating his warning that Tokyo is all set to act versus. the currency's recent sharp decreases.

We anticipate (Japan) to intervene above 152, however not. immediately on a break, Standard Chartered strategist Steve. Englander said in a note to clients.

METALS FLY

Meanwhile, industrial metals prices extended their gains on. Tuesday amid expectations of an around the world manufacturing rebound,. while shares in the Asia-Pacific region rose.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan. increased 0.7%. Japan's Nikkei 225 increased. 1.1%. That left MSCI's broadest gauge of worldwide stocks. up 0.1%.

In Shanghai, the most-traded May copper futures. increased 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 residential or commercial property. decline, ended at its highest level given that March 25.

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

It's coincided with an international production bottoming, and I. believe that plays well into China's commercial healing. That. aspect of it is a broader-based story for metals.

On Monday, data revealed German industrial production increased. more than expected in February.

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

On the other hand, area gold struck a record high for the eighth. session in a row, supported by central bank purchasing and. heightened geopolitical tensions, according to experts.

I think the rally might continue in the short-term, BRI's. Boardman-Weston said.

There are a few reasons that it has actually moved up and I believe it. has legs behind it.

(source: Reuters)