|

S&P 500 Futures consolidate heaviest losses in three weeks above 3,900 as US Treasury yields ease

  • S&P 500 Futures bounces off weekly low, flashed previous day, as bond bears catch a breather, fresh vaccine optimism.
  • US 10-year Treasury yields step back from January 2020 top.
  • Reflation fears step aside, for now, as geopolitical tension returns to the desk.
  • BOJ, risk catalysts to offer an easy day.

S&P 500 Futures keep corrective pullback from the week’s bottom of 3,900 while taking rounds to 3,915, up 0.15% intraday, during early Friday. The risk barometer dropped the heaviest in three weeks the previous day as reflation risks returned to the table. Though, the easy mood of the US bond bears seems to favor the American equity derivate off-late.

US 10-year Treasury yield drops 1.7 basis points (bps) by the press time. Even so, the widely followed bond coupon stays near the highest levels in 14 months flashed the previous day as markets reject the Fed’s efforts to cut the rate-hike odds.

Also likely to have favored the mood could be covid vaccine optimism conveyed by US President Joe Biden and South Korea, not to forget the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

It should, however, be noted that the US-China tussle in Alaska and American Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin’s warning to North Korea weigh on the risks by the press time. Additionally, the pre-BOJ mood and a light calendar add to the sluggish performance of the markets.

Given the key central bank events of the week have already been out, but not loud, market players will keep their eyes on the risk catalysts, mainly the geopolitical headlines and vaccines, for fresh impulse. On the calendar, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) and Canadian Retail Sales may entertain traders.

Read: BoJ Preview: Policy review to focus on yield curve control framework and ETF-buying

Author

Anil Panchal

Anil Panchal

FXStreet

Anil Panchal has nearly 15 years of experience in tracking financial markets. With a keen interest in macroeconomics, Anil aptly tracks global news/updates and stays well-informed about the global financial moves and their implications.

More from Anil Panchal
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD edges lower below 1.1650 as Middle East tensions fuel US Dollar strength

The EUR/USD pair trades in negative territory around 1.1635 during the early Asian session on Thursday. The US Dollar strengthens against the Euro as escalating Middle East conflict boosts safe-haven flows. Traders brace for the Eurozone Retail Sales and US weekly Initial Jobless Claims reports, which will be released later on Thursday. 

GBP/USD tests key moving averages as growth downgrade weighs

GBP/USD was nearly flat on Wednesday, edging up 0.08% to settle around 1.3370 in a quiet session. The pair has fallen sharply from its late-January high near 1.3870 and is now testing the 200-day Exponential Moving Average, with this week's one-week forex heatmap showing Pound Sterling as one of the worst performers against the US Dollar, down about 1.4% on the week.

Gold re-attempts $5,200 amid a softer USD; reduced Fed rate cut bets cap gains

Gold bounces toward $5,200 for the second consecutive day on Thursday amid a modest US Dollar weakness. Wednesday's upbeat US macro data further tempered hopes for three rate cuts by the Fed in 2026. Furthermore, escalating Middle East tensions might continue to benefit the USD's status as the global reserve currency and contribute to capping the bullion.

Ethereum jumps alongside a spike in open interest, realized price could limit upside

Ethereum has jumped above $2,100 on Wednesday, following a general recovery across the crypto market. The move was accompanied by a spike in Ethereum's open interest, which has increased to 13.43M ETH — its highest level since January 31. 

First Venezuela, now Iran: The US-China energy war escalates

At first glance, the latest escalation involving the United States with both Iran and Venezuela looks like another chapter in a long-running geopolitical story. But viewed through a broader strategic lens, something else may be unfolding: Energy.

Bittensor extends recovery despite retail demand slump

Bittensor, a leading Artificial Intelligence token, is aging up above $190 at the time of writing on Wednesday. Steady price increases characterise the broader crypto market, with Bitcoin holding above $71,000 and Ethereum above $2,000.