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Dan Izzo, founder of investment management company Blackbird Capital, said that though banks have been seen as a bellwether for U.S. earnings, markets today were different. Stock futures based on the S&P , Nasdaq and Dow Jones Industrial Average were up slightly around 0.1%. Upbeat earnings news from banks and large corporations may lessen the odds of rate cuts later this year, he added. At least eight top Fed officials are speaking this week, including three governors, and could generate plenty of headlines to move the dial further. EARNINGS KEYOther big U.S. names reporting earnings this week include Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N), Netflix (NFLX.O) and Tesla (TSLA.O).

☆ Dollar bounces as expectations of Fed rate hike climb
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

While U.S. retail sales fell more than expected in March, so-called core retail sales, which excludes automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services, slipped just 0.3% last month, data released on Friday showed. So I think that will increase (expectations) for the Fed to continue raising interest rates," said Tina Teng, market analyst at CMC Markets. The two-year U.S. Treasury yield , which typically moves in step with interest rate expectations, stood at 4.1161%, after hitting a roughly two-week top of 4.137% on Friday. Some hawkish Fed speak also aided the higher interest rate expectations, with Fed Governor Christopher Waller and Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic suggesting that the Fed could hike another 25 bps next month. The offshore yuan fell roughly 0.1% to 6.8786 per dollar.

☆ Asia shares up as Singapore joins the pause camp
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) surprised many by leaving policy unchanged, saying the tightening already underway would ensure inflation slowed sharply later this year. The prospect of a peak for rates helped offset worries about recession and MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) nudged up 0.4%. The euro was also near highs seen back in November above 146.00 yen , and jumped to a 10-month peak on the Singapore dollar after the MAS decision. The dollar was relatively steady on the yen at 132.57 yen , supported by the Bank of Japan's still uber-easy policy stance. Brent edged up 27 cents to $86.36 a barrel, while U.S. crude rose 26 cents to $82.42 per barrel.

☆ Oil steady on China demand concerns with US inflation in focus
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Noah Browning | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Summary China consumer inflation drop points to weak demandU.S. inflation report due WednesdayComing up: API data on US crude stocks at 4:30 p.m. Brent crude futures slipped 18 cents, or 0.2%, to $84 a barrel by 1102 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures eased 12 cents, or 0.1%, to $79.62 a barrel. A U.S. inflation report to be released on Wednesday could help investors gauge the near-term trajectory for interest rates. "The short-term crude demand outlook will soon be clearer. "Wall Street should have a strong handle on the trajectory of the economy after it gets a pivotal inflation report."

☆ Oil steadies as tighter supply balances growth concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Alex Lawler | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Brent crude slipped 3 cents to $85.09 a barrel by 0816 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 8 cents to $80.78. "I am in the latter camp and still see prices moving higher from here as we go through the year." Adding to tightness in supply has been a shutdown of Iraq's northern exports. Oil also drew support from a steeper-than-expected drop in U.S. crude inventories last week, as well as a decline in gasoline and distillate stocks, hinting at rising demand. In global financial markets, a U.S. inflation report to be released on Wednesday could help investors gauge the near-term trajectory for interest rates.

☆ Dollar slides on sluggish US data, Aussie steadies ahead of RBA
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Against the sliding dollar, the British pound and the Australian and New Zealand dollars rose to multi-week highs in early Asia trade on Tuesday. The kiwi rose 0.2% to $0.6310, its highest since mid-February, while the U.S. dollar index was marginally lower at 102.02, having fallen more than 0.5% on Monday. "The closest thing we get to good news in (the) report is that the slowing in the factory sector is pushing prices lower and supply chains are continuing to heal, benefiting from the slack. The RBA will pause policy tightening according to a poll of analysts, although a strong minority still forecast a hike. Data out last week showed Australian inflation slowed to an eight-month low in February, due in part to a sharp retreat in prices for holiday travel and accommodation.

☆ Gold prices ease as traders gauge OPEC+ output cuts, weak U.S. data
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices steadied with investors' attention shifting to demand trends and the impact of higher prices on the global economy. Gold prices dropped on Monday after a surprise cut in OPEC+ crude production was announced over the weekend. Bullion is seen as a hedge against inflation, but higher rates increase the opportunity cost of holding the non-yielding asset. "If we are right, this should send the dollar lower and clear the 'runway' for an additional move higher." Spot silver slipped 0.5% to $23.88 per ounce, platinum eased 0.1% to $984.99 and palladium ticked 0.1% lower to $1,458.42.

☆ Oil prices steady as investor focus shifts to demand outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices steadied in early Asian trade on Tuesday after OPEC+ plans to cut more production jolted markets the previous day, with investors' attention shifting to demand trends and the impact of higher prices on the global economy. The latest pledges bring the total volume of cuts by OPEC+ to 3.66 million bpd including a 2 million barrel cut last October, according to Reuters calculations — equal to about 3.7% of global demand. "In the short term, demand is expected to rise for the summer driving season, but higher oil prices may intensify inflationary pressures and prolong interest rate hikes in many countries, which could dampen demand," he said. The OPEC+ production curbs led most analysts to raise their Brent oil price forecasts to around $100 per barrel by year-end. The news, however, added to investor worries about higher costs for businesses and consumers, raising fears that an inflationary jolt to the world economy from rising oil prices will result in more rate hikes.

☆ Morning Bid: Markets exhale after OPEC+ shock; RBA hits pause
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Crude oil continued to tick up, but not at Monday's pace, with Brent a little over $85. Money markets lay 2:1 odds for the Fed to hike by another quarter point over a pause at their next meeting in a month from now. By contrast, the European Central Bank is seen as almost certain to tighten by a quarter point at its meeting around the same time. The Reserve Bank of Australia, for its part, decided to press pause on its year-long rate hiking campaign - as most economists had predicted - amid signs that inflation may have peaked. China has been for the first time keeping at least one nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine constantly at sea, according to a Pentagon report.

☆ European stocks head for higher open, brushing off concerns over oil markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

European markets are heading for a higher open Tuesday, seemingly brushing off concerns over oil price rises following a surprise production cut by the OPEC+ alliance. Oil prices steadied in early Asian trade on Tuesday after markets were jolted the previous day, with investor focus shifting to demand trends and the impact of higher prices on the global economy. Overnight, Asia-Pacific markets were mixed ahead of a Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate hike decision, with economists almost evenly spilt on whether the RBA will pause or continue its hiking cycle. U.S. stock futures inched lower Tuesday morning as investors weighed a spike in oil prices that led the S&P 500 higher to start the new trading month.

☆ Oil steadies as U.S. crude draw offset by Russian supplies, stronger dollar
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Laila Kearney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Companies United States of America FollowMarch 29 (Reuters) - Oil steadied in early Asian trade on Thursday as a surprise draw in U.S. crude oil stockpiles that supported prices was offset by a smaller-than-expected cut to Russian supplies and stronger dollar. West Texas Intermediate U.S. crude fell 6 cents, or 0.1%, to $72.91 a barrel. Helping to support prices, U.S. crude oil stockpiles fell unexpectedly last week as refineries ramped up production after maintenance season and imports fell to a two-year low, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday. Crude inventories (USOILC=ECI) fell by 7.5 million barrels in the week to March 24 to 473.7 million barrels, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for a 100,000-barrel rise. Meanwhile, reports about Russian crude production falling by around 300,000 barrels a day in the first three weeks of March, less than the targeted cuts of 500,000 bpd, and strength in the U.S. dollar, erased oil price gains.

☆ Bank relief and Alibaba plans nudge stocks higher
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) gained for a third day in a row, rising 0.3%. It is eyeing two consecutive quarters in the green for the first time since the middle of 2021. The yen last traded at 132.75 to the dollar. Two-year yields are down 30 basis points for the quarter, the first quarterly fall since March 2020. Investors are hoping the plans signal authorities' tacit approval for growth and profit ahead.

☆ TSX rises to three-week but caution remains on rate outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Fergal Smith | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index (.GSPTSE) ended up 180.12 points, or 0.9%, at 19,837.65, its fourth straight day of gains and its highest closing level since March 9. "Discretion is the better part of valor," said Joseph Abramson, co-chief investment officer at Northland Wealth Management, quoting the well-known proverb. Information technology rose 1.5% as bond yields steadied, while both energy and heavily weighted financials advanced 1%. Dollarama Inc (DOL.TO) shares added 2.5% as the company reported a surge in same-store sales. The utilities sector, which includes some renewable energy companies, was up 1.1%.

☆ Dollar soothed by uneasy market calm
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Alun John | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The dollar index , which tracks the currency against six peers, was flat at 102.42, giving up small gains of up to 0.3% in the European morning. It has fallen for the past two sessions, and is set for a 2.1% monthly fall, a victim of the market ructions induced by problems in the banking industry. "We have returned to a sense of calm right now, but I don't think it's all over. The dollar touched a one-week high on the yen and was last up 0.7% to 131.85 yen , while the euro gained 0.7% against the yen to 143. The dollar had dropped 0.5% against the yen the previous day, when it uncharacteristically moved in the opposite direction to long-term U.S. Treasury yields, which have been rising as calm returns to markets.

☆ Gold rises on dollar dip, banking optimism limits gains
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Meat bans, soaring gold prices and Britain voting to 'un–Brexit' could be on the cards for 2023, according to Saxo's Outrageous Predictions. Gold prices dropped on Wednesday as easing worries over a potential bigger fallout from the global banking crisis increased appetite for riskier assets and dampened demand for the safe-haven metal. Spot gold was trading 0.4% lower at $1,966.48 per ounce, as of 0356 GMT, after rising 1% on Tuesday. The opportunity cost of holding non-yielding gold rises when interest rates are increased to bring down inflation. Markets are pricing in a nearly 43% chance of the Fed raising interest rates by 25 basis points in May, according to the CME FedWatch tool.

☆ Gold steadies, Fed pause bets brighten outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Ashitha Shivaprasad | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Spot gold was little changed at $1,996.19 per ounce at 1202 GMT, holding a relatively narrow $20 range. U.S. gold futures rose 0.1% to $1,997.50. U.S. 10-year Treasury yields fell for the third straight session, while the dollar index rose 0.7%. Commerzbank raised its year-end gold forecasts to $2,000, joining similar upward revisions by Goldman Sachs, Citi and ANZ. Reporting by Ashitha Shivaprasad in Bengaluru; Editing by Sohini Goswami and Maju SamuelOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[1/2] A tug boat pushes an oil barge through New York Harbor past the Statue of Liberty in New York City, U.S., May 24, 2022. Weighing on prices, U.S. crude oil stockpiles rose unexpectedly last week to their highest in nearly two years, latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed. Crude inventories (USOILC=ECI) rose in the week to March 17 by 1.1 million barrels to 481.2 million barrels, the highest since May 2021. Also supportive, Goldman Sachs said on Thursday that demand from China, the world's biggest oil importer, continued to surge across the commodity complex, with oil demand topping 16 million barrels per day. The bank forecast Brent to reach $97 a barrel in the second quarter of 2024.

☆ Asia shares bounce gingerly as bank fears linger
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) rose 0.4%. Japanese markets were closed for a holiday, which left Treasuries untraded in Asia and lightened currency trade. S&P 500 futures were flat and European futures rose 0.5%. The tense calm follows a Swiss government-backed buyout of Credit Suisse by UBS that seems, for now, to have cauterised concerns over European financial stability. The broader path for rates, meanwhile, is set to become clearer later in the week when the Fed and Bank of England set policy levels.

☆ Asia stocks bounce gingerly but bank fears lurk
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. futures rose 0.2% in early Asia trade. A Swiss government-backed buyout of Credit Suisse by UBS has cauterized the immediate concern over European financial stability. But the wipeout of some Credit Suisse bondholders has sent a shockwave through bank debt, and persistent signs of stress at U.S. regional lenders has investors on high alert. Bond markets whipsawed overnight as traders seek to figure out what the bank stress means for rates policy. U.S. interest rate futures have priced in just one more 25 basis point hike before a series of cuts beginning as soon as June.

☆ Dollar languishes as bank crisis fears ebb on Credit Suisse rescue
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SINGAPORE, March 21 (Reuters) - The dollar regained some ground on Tuesday but was pinned near a five-week low as traders tiptoed back into riskier assets after UBS' state-backed takeover of Credit Suisse allayed some fears of a widespread, systemic banking crisis. "There has been pretty modest demand for U.S. dollars at the Fed swap lines, so that is a positive sign in and of itself," said Carol Kong, a currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA). The dollar slipped 0.12% to 131.15 against the Japanese yen , while the U.S. dollar index , which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, fell 0.04% to 103.30. Lower U.S. rate expectations also added to downward pressure on the dollar ahead of the Fed's two-day policy meeting commencing later on Tuesday. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand said on Tuesday it saw no immediate need to request the reinstatement of a U.S. dollar swap line that expired in 2021.

"Each country promptly ramped up efforts as risk-aversive moves were seen in financial markets," Matsuno told a regular news conference. "Japan's financial system is stable as a whole," he said, adding that authorities were watching financial market moves "with a strong sense of alarm". The remarks came after Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki told reporters on Monday the government would continue to "carefully assess" how a weekend rescue deal for Credit Suisse Group would affect Japan's financial sector. For now, financial authorities in Tokyo see the most likely risk for Japan coming from a deterioration in the U.S. economy that would hurt exports, rather than a direct bank contagion. "The failure of two U.S. banks spilled over to a Swiss bank in a seemingly unrelated way," one official said.

SummarySummary Companies C.banks responded to risk-aversive moves in markets - MatsunoJapan's banking system stable as a whole - MatsunoGovt watching market moves with strong sense of alarm - MatsunoFinmin says will keep assessing impact of Credit Suisse buyoutTOKYO, March 20 (Reuters) - Japan's banking system is stable and the country will not see a contagion from U.S. and European banking sector woes, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said on Monday. "Each country promptly ramped up efforts as risk-aversive moves were seen in financial markets," Japan's top government spokesperson told a regular news conference. "Japan's financial system is stable as a whole," he said, adding that authorities were watching financial market moves "with a strong sense of alarm". The remarks came after Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki told reporters on Monday the government would continue to "carefully assess" how a weekend rescue deal for Credit Suisse Group would affect Japan's financial sector. Reporting by Leika Kihara and Tetsushi Kajimoto; Editing by Tom Hogue and Jacqueline WongOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Asia stocks steady as Credit Suisse buyout brings relief
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Over the weekend, UBS said it will buy Credit Suisse for 3 billion francs ($3.2 billion) and assume up to $5.4 billion in losses, in a shotgun merger engineered by Swiss authorities. Central banks including the Fed, the European Central Bank and Bank of Japan pledged to deepen support for liquidity, by increasing the frequency of seven-day dollar-swap operations from weekly to daily. "The best we can say was there are certainly a lot of concerns about Credit Suisse contagion risk," said Rodrigo Catril, a senior currency strategist at National Australia Bank in Sydney. "The news overnight from Switzerland has helped," he said, though added that the central bank moves had also drawn attention to how deep troubles may run. It's great we're seeing this concerted effort from central banks, and it's positive, but it does also highlight how troubling the circumstances are and how worried central banks appear to be as well."

☆ Asian markets take breather from banking turmoil, capping tumultuous week
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Stella Qiu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) rose 0.9% on Friday, erasing earlier losses this week. S&P 500 futures eased 0.1% and Nasdaq futures were flat after major U.S. stock indices rallied hard on easing fear of a global banking crisis. This is a theme other central banks are likely to echo," said James Rossiter, head of global macro strategy at TD Securities. Yields were, however, headed for the steepest weekly decline since February 2020 when markets were thrown into chaos by COVID-19 fear. "The past week has provided an unwelcome reminder of the inherent fragility of banking systems," said analysts at Capital Economics in a note to client.

☆ Dollar finds footing as banking crisis fears calm down
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In early trade, the dollar selling of the past two sessions had abated and the greenback rose about 0.2% on both the euro and yen. Rallies in sterling, Scandinavian currencies, the Australian dollar and the New Zealand dollar also seemed to lose steam - though without really giving back any ground. "I think we end up with a lower Fed peak than was priced a week ago and all else equal that should result in the U.S. dollar being a bit weaker than where it was a week ago." Interest rate futures pricing now implies an 80% chance of a 25 basis point U.S. rate hike next week. The New Zealand dollar dipped 0.2% to $0.6225 and the Aussie , up 1.5% for the week so far, was flat at $0.6682 as investors caught their breath.

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