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Stocks, bonds constant after rate angst sell-off

European stocks steadied on Thursday as bonds gained back some ground after a sell-off the day before on bets that global rates of interest would stay greater for longer due to stickier inflation readings.

The dollar softened a little as U.S. Treasury yields slipped back while product costs came under pressure on restored expectations that the Federal Reserve is not likely to cut rates any time soon.

The latest slowdown in the international threat rally has begun the back of data indicating lingering inflationary pressures throughout major economies and a flood of bond sales raising yields.

There are two forces clashing here, stated Ben Laidler, worldwide markets strategist at eToro.

It's being driven by the extremely heavy federal government bond issuance and markets that are still scared of rate of interest staying higher for longer and sticky inflation.

However for now, bond markets have actually steadied, which has supported equity markets in Europe.

The pan-European STOXX 600 rose just under 0.2%, having tipped over 1% on Wednesday. Germany's DAX , France's CAC and Britain's FTSE 100 eked out gains of 0.1% -0.2%.

Wall Street futures were soft, with S&P and Nasdaq eminis both shedding around 0.5%.

Germany's 10-year bund yield, which previously touched a six-month high at 2.687%, was down 2 basis indicate 2.664%. Bond yields move inversely to costs.

Information on Wednesday showed German inflation increased slightly more than forecast to 2.8% in May, ahead of the closely viewed broader euro zone bloc's reading on Friday.

A higher-than-forecast inflation keeping reading Friday is unlikely to derail the European Reserve bank from decreasing obtaining expenses next week however might have ramifications for future policy relocations.

The stickiness of services inflation stays a source of concern, eToro's Laidler said.

It's not enough to stop the ECB from cutting next week however it does call into question how quickly and how far they go after that.

Markets are pricing in around 60 basis points of easing from the ECB this year, implying 2 quarter-point rate cuts and around a 40% possibility of a 3rd.

The main emphasize of the week for markets, nevertheless, is Friday's U.S. core individual usage expenses (PCE) price index report - the Fed's preferred procedure of inflation. Expectations are for it to hold steady on a regular monthly basis.

If we take a look at data that has actually led us to this point, I. have a difficult time thinking a softer-than-expected PCE report. will get here on Friday, stated Matt Simpson, senior market analyst. at City Index.

From this perspective, PCE not ticking higher could be. a welcome surprise. However must it warm up even more from sticky. levels, hunger for threat will be taken out the back for an excellent. kicking.

U.S. Treasury yields dipped on Thursday having increased. over 8 bps the day before, in part due to a weak debt auction. The benchmark 10-year yield was last at 4.5898%,. while the two-year yield stood at 4.9601%.

Japanese government bond (JGB) yields notched fresh. multi-year peaks on growing expectations that more rate walkings. from the Bank of Japan might be imminent.

The 10-year JGB yield peaked at 1.1% in early. Asia trade, its greatest considering that July 2011.

DOLLAR REIGN

In the currency market, the dollar softened, having earlier. knocked the euro to an over two-week low of $1.07885.

The yen last stood at 157.06 per dollar, having. moved to a four-week low of 157.715 in the previous session.

The dollar index, which determines the currency against. 6 others consisting of the euro and yen, was down 0.1%, after a. 0.5% jump the day previously.

Oil costs lost ground on concerns over weak U.S. fuel. need and higher-for-longer rates of interest.

Brent fell 0.4% $83.24 per barrel while U.S. crude. reduced a similar amount to $78.92 a barrel.

Area gold similarly fell 0.2% to $2,333.28 an ounce.

(source: Reuters)