U.S. stocks continued a rebound from a correction, while Treasury yields rose toward a four-year high as economic data supported expectations that the Federal Reserve will maintain a gradual approach to raising interest rates.
The S&P 500 Index climbed for a fourth day as banks and tech shares rallied. Futures on the gauge had tumbled on concern the Fed would quicken its pace of tightening following data that showed faster-than-forecast inflation last month. Those fears receded as investors digested a separate report showing weak retail sales that raised questions about the strength of the economy. Oil rallied and the dollar slumped.
Signs of an inflation pickup have roiled financial markets this month, putting stocks and bonds in a tug-of-war, with sinking equities sparking demand for the haven of Treasuries, mitigating the selloff in fixed income. Investors must now weigh whether the acceleration will force the Fed to raise rates faster than the market currently anticipates or if the retail sales signal a potential crack in economic fundamentals.
New Fed Chairman Jerome Powell suggested Tuesday that officials would forge ahead with gradual tightening even as it keeps an eye on financial-system risks following the recent equity rout.
Stocks tumbled into a correction last week and yields pushed higher on the heels of a jobs report that signaled a tightening labor market. Stocks and bonds have been in a tug-of-war for over a week, with sinking equities sparking demand for the haven of Treasuries, mitigating the selloff in fixed income.
In Europe, stocks advanced as investors traded on earnings from companies including Credit Suisse Group AG. The yen’s rise to a 15-month high weighed on Japan’s Topix index, while shares in Seoul, Hong Kong and Shanghai gained before a weeklong Lunar New Year holiday.
South Africa’ rand headed for its strongest level against the dollar in almost three years after the ruling African National Congress said it will remove President Jacob Zuma from office tomorrow through a parliamentary vote of no confidence.
Here are some important things to watch out for this week:
Lunar new year celebrations for the Year of the Dog begin, affecting China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Chinese mainland markets are closed Feb. 15-21. Earnings season continues in full swing with reports including companies from Bunge to Nestle.
These are the main moves in markets: