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Global equity gauge slips, yields edge up with inflation, rates in focus

A gauge of global equities slipped on Thursday while Treasury yields edged higher as investors looked for clues on the capacity for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts in the current inflation information while the European Central Bank indicated rate cuts quickly.

A day after March's hot Consumer Rate Index (CPI) reading sent equity financiers to the exits, Thursday's information showed U.S. producer costs increased reasonably last month with a cost of services increase blunted by falling goods costs. The manufacturer cost index (PPI) for final demand rose 0.2% versus economic expert expectations for 0.3% and a February increase of 0.6%.

But New york city's Fed President John Williams stated on Thursday that while the reserve bank has made significant progress with inflation, it does not appear to need rate cuts yet. Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin said the Fed is not yet where it wants to be to have confidence that rate pressure will keep relieving.

( Thursday) morning's PPI report can be found in softer than anticipated, reducing the blow of the disappointing CPI report (on. Wednesday), which undoubtedly shows that development on disinflation. is stalling, stated Emily Roland, co-chief investment strategist. at John Hancock Investment.

However while noting that the Fed will have 2 more months of. information to take a look at before it makes a rate decision in June, Roland. stated that markets are getting the memo that the Fed is most likely. not going to have the ability to cut anytime quickly and that it is difficult. to see the case to cut rates.

On Thursday, traders were banking on a 79% opportunity that the. Fed will keep rates unchanged in June, slightly lower than. Wednesday and a 49.7% possibility they will remain the same in July. compared with 57.6% on Wednesday, according to CME Group's. FedWatch tool.

At 11:59 a.m. (1559 GMT), the Dow Jones Industrial Average. fell 86.84 points, or 0.23%, to 38,371.49, the S&P 500. gained 8.59 points, or 0.17%, to 5,169.23 and the Nasdaq. Composite acquired 110.52 points, or 0.68%, to 16,280.25.

MSCI's gauge of stocks around the world fell. 0.78 points, or 0.10%, to 772.00. The STOXX 600 index. fell 0.44%.

U.S. Treasuries yields were mixed after the PPI data, with. two-year yields hitting 5% for the first time given that November and. 10-year yields likewise touching their highest point considering that November. after falling earlier.

The yield on benchmark U.S. 10-year notes increased. 1.2 basis points to 4.572%, from 4.56% late on Wednesday, while. the 30-year bond yield rose 3.1 basis points to. 4.6651% from 4.634%.

The 2-year note yield, which generally moves in. action with interest rate expectations, fell 2.3 basis points to. 4.946%, from 4.969% late on Wednesday.

In currencies, trading was choppy with the greenback last. rising versus a basket of major currencies after falling. earlier following the lower-than-expected PPI data.

The dollar index gained 0.15% at 105.36, with the. euro down 0.2% at $1.0719. Versus the Japanese yen. , the dollar strengthened 0.01% at 153.2.

Oil prices fell following a major U.S. refinery outage and. investor digestion of inflation data while worries that Iran. may assault Israeli interests kept unrefined near six-month highs.

U.S. crude lost 0.92% to $85.41 a barrel and Brent. fell to $89.94 per barrel, down 0.59% on the day.

Gold rates firmed after the inflation information while consistent. geopolitical issues contributed to the metal's shine.

Spot gold included 0.5% to $2,344.39 an ounce. U.S. gold. futures acquired 0.3% to $2,336.70 an ounce.

(source: Reuters)