Risk sentiment remained firm during a quiet London session, the US closed for the President's Day holiday. Global markets responded positively to the weekend's Chinese easing but otherwise there was no news of significance, apart from perhaps a blueprint for EU growth from major EU leaders which recommended less regulation. The two-day Eurogroup finance ministers' meeting in Brussels to approve Greece's next bailout package (among other issues) is currently in progress but headlines have been absent. The Eurostoxx 50 closed up 1.2% while the S&P500 futures consolidated yesterday's gains. Among commodities, oil is up 1.6%, copper +1.1% and gold +0.6%. US 10yr treasury note futures implied a yield increase of around 3bp. Eurozone peripheral yields were lower, Italy's 10yr down 10bp to an October low and Greece down 54bp.
The US dollar index is around 0.5% lower on the day. EUR rose from 1.3182 early London to 1.3277 by the afternoon, then consolidating to 1.3140. USD/JPY consolidated the previous days gains above 79.35. AUD rose from an early London 1.0747 to 1.0796 by midday but then slipped to 1.0740. NZD ranged sideways between 0.8385 and 0.8420. AUD/NZD hovered just above 1.2800
The US dollar index is around 0.5% lower on the day. EUR rose from 1.3182 early London to 1.3277 by the afternoon, then consolidating to 1.3140. USD/JPY consolidated the previous days gains above 79.35. AUD rose from an early London 1.0747 to 1.0796 by midday but then slipped to 1.0740. NZD ranged sideways between 0.8385 and 0.8420. AUD/NZD hovered just above 1.2800