Dow-0,65% S&P-0,49% Nasdaq+0,19% Russell+0,21% VIX @ 14.07 +0.72%
US Market Closed Mixed with major Index lower and Tech higher,dovish FOMC policy statement pressured the greenback, but the Dollar Index (99.23, +0.67) wasted no time, stringing together a swift comeback. The index added 0.7% today and returned to Tuesday's low. Notably, the euro retraced the bulk of yesterday's move, returning below 1.0650 versus the dollar, the dollar strength weighed on crude oil, sending the energy component lower by 2.5% to $45.50/bbl. In turn, this kept the energy sector (-1.7%) near the bottom of the barrel while the other commodity-related sector—materials (-1.7%)—finished just behind energy. Steelmakers kept the sector pressured after Nucor (NUE 46.11, -3.16) cut its guidance well below analyst estimates. Shares of NUE tumbled 6.4%, among cyclical sectors, industrials (-0.7%) and financials (-1.0%) struggled while consumer discretionary (-0.2%) and technology (-0.2%) displayed relative strength. volume were light @715mil shares. US After Hours ENVI +31.2%, CTRP +8.5%, MFRM +5%, NKE +4.5%, AKS -6.9% following earnings/guidance PRTA +39.4% on +ve Phase 1...In Japan, BOJ Gov Kuroda reiterated CPI will likely reach 2% in or around FY15, even though the central bank further scaled back its inflation outlook in its policy meeting earlier this week. Meeting minutes for last month saw board members holding a similar opinion, even though the MOF representative on the board stopped urging that the time-based inflation objective is maintained. Some members noted an increase in volatility in the JGB market, and a few questioned sustainability of JGB purchases at current pace. Separately, a Nikkei report in late US session speculated that the cabinet office (govt) will raise its monthly economic assessment for the first time since July 2014 when the report is published on Monday. Japan has held assessment unchanged since November, when it was lowered following another round of QE by the central bank. EU leaders and Greece PM Tsipras held last-ditch talks to find common ground related to Greek reforms-for-aid plans amid a notable deterioration of good will on both sides and also a decline in investors confidence over a positive outcome for Athens in recent days. Both sides appear to have been pleased with today's talks - PM Tsipas said the relief process is back on track after today's meeting, as all sides agreed to restore financing of Greek economy; Germany's Merkel noted the basis of reforms is still grounded in the Feb 20th decision, Greece will present a more detailed and adequate list of reforms planned in the next few days, and that no funds will be paid to Athens until the review of Greek reforms has been concluded. EUR/USD rose to session highs just shy of the $1.07 handle following the EU statement.
Nikkei +0.43% Hang Seng -0.24% Shanghai +0.77%
RUB $60.1270 WTI $43.65 (-0.71%) Brent $54.30 (-0.70%) EURCHF 1.0556 CHF 0.9895
EUR$ 1.0669 S&P +0.18% EurosToxx +0.19% Dax +0.26% SMI +0.27%
Macro
- Greece’s Tsipras Says Talks With Euro Area Back on Track
- Carlyle Group Raises $2.5 Billion for International Energy Deals
- EU Says Russia Sanctions Duration Should Be Linked to Minsk Deal
Keep an eye on :
- ATC NA : Altice could sell Oni next month to facilitate its PT Portugal acquisition - Diario Economico
- BPI IM : BPI May Make Non-Binding Proposal for Novo Banco Today: Diario
- CRG IM : Banca Carige Raises Maximum Shr Sale Size to EU850m
- CU FP : Fosun Eyes Deals in North America After Thomas Cook, Club Med
- DBK GY : Deutsche Bank Shareholders Urging Sale of Postbank: FT
- EDF FP : France Wants Better Cost Control at EDF, Les Echos Says
- FCC SM : FCC Drops EU1.6B Algeria Contracts, El Confidencial Says
- GSK LN : GSK/THRX’s Breo Needs Post-Marketing Safety Study: Panel
- HAV FP : Havas 2014 Net EU140m vs Est. EU144m
- LG FP : Lafarge, Holcim Agree New Deal Ratio of 9 Shares for 10 Lafarge
- LHA GY : Lufthansa Pilots Union to Extend Strike to Saturday, Union Says
- ORA FP : Orange to Invest EU500m in Romania by 2018, ZF Reports
- PHIA NA : KKR, CVC Said to Near Deal for Philips Lighting Component Unit
- PC IM : Pirelli in advanced talks with China Chemical Corporation over stake sale
- RIG VX : *TRANSOCEAN CUT TO JUNK BY S&P
- RYA LN : Ryanair Says It Hasn’t Considered Any Transatlantic Project
- SAL IM : Salini Impregilo 2014 Net EU93.8m vs EU104.8m Y/y
- SKB GY : Koenig & Bauer Returns to Net Profit in 2014; Plans no Dividend
- TIT IM : Telecom Italia to Offer Up to EU2b in Equity-Linked Bonds
- UHR VX : Swatch’s Certina Sees Single-Digit Sales Growth This Year: AWP
- ZC FP : Zodiac Sees 1H Current Oper. Income Hurt by Seats Problems