 Global markets lack a clear direction today. European stocks are generally lower for the moment after EU failed to agree on coronavirus rescue stimulus. But US futures point to higher open. In the currency markets, Sterling is the strongest one for now as Prime Minister Boris Johnson is said to be "clinically stable" and "in good spirits" in ICU for coronavirus treatment. Aussie follows as the second strongest. On the other hand, Canadian Dollar is the worst performing one so far, awaiting OPEC++ meeting. Euro and Swiss Franc are also weak. In Europe, currently, FTSE is down -0.98%. DAX is down -0.61%. CAC is down -1.01%. German 10-year yield is up 0.0011 at -0.294. Earlier in Asia, Nikkei rose 2.13%. Hong Kong HSI dropped -1.17%. China Shanghai SSE dropped -0.19%. Singapore Strait Times dropped -1.26%. Japan 10-year JGB yield rose 0.010 to 0.017. Released today, Canada building permits dropped -7.3% mom in February versus expectation of -4.0% mom. Housing starts dropped to 195k versus expectation of 205k. Swiss unemployment rate jumped to 2.9% in March, up from 2.3%, above expectation of 2.8%. Japan machine orders rose 2.3% mom in February, above expectation of -2.7% mom. Current account surplus widened to JPY 2.38T in February, above expectation of JPY 2.02T. |
