Evolution of the international financial markets and evaluation of the main events and economic indicators of the previous day session. Available in English.
In the last session of the week, investors weighed concerns on rising COVID cases with another pickup in CPI inflation in the US (headline at 6.8%, highest since 1982, and core at 4.9%). Despite these high figures, the release was broadly in line with the consensus and it did not change investors' expectations for the Fed's first interest rate hike.
Risk-aversion dominated financial markets on Thursday, as fears about the potential impact of the omicron variant regained investors’ attention, which were also taking position for the key US November CPI inflation report, to be released today (consensus: 6.8% y/y, after 6.2% in October).
Volatility declined but remained elevated, as investors continue to digest mixed information about the potential risk of the spread of the omicron variant and hawkish signals from central banks. Labour data in the US (job openings surged in October while hiring decreased) also suggested that shortages are persisting.
Financial markets started the week with a risk-on session, as fears about the risk that the spread of the omicron variant could lead to more severe restrictions eased. In addition, China's central bank said it would cut the amount of cash that banks must hold in reserve, releasing 1.2 trillion yuan in long-term liquidity.
In yesterday's session, investors traded cautiously as they weighed concerns about the omicron variant with data confirming the tightness of the U.S. labor market (layoffs hit a 28-year low in November) and mounting inflation pressures (euro area producer prices rose by 21.9% y/y in October).
In yesterday's session investors traded cautiously amid concerns on the new coronavirus variant and mixed economic sentiment data releases. November manufacturing PMIs ticked up in the euro area (58.4) but decreased in Spain (57.1 vs 57.4 in October), China (49.9 vs 50.6) and the U.S. (58.3 vs 58.4).
In yesterday's session, investors traded with a risk-off mood amid rising concerns over the omicron variant, rising inflation in the euro area (headline 4.9% and core 2.6%) and hawkish comments by Fed members.
In yesterday's session, investors traded cautiously despite easing concerns on the omicron variant. On the data front, the euro area economic sentiment indicator eased in November from 118.6 points to 117.5 and inflation numbers continued to increase in the region. Germany's HICP inflation rose 1.4pp to 6.0% while in Spain it rose 0.2pp to 5.6%.
Financial markets closed the week with a sell-off session amid concerns of a new coronavirus variant identified in South Africa. The main concerns are the speed at which this variant can spread and whether it will be immune to the vaccines. Volatility rose and demand for safe assets increased.
In a session with low volumes due to the bank holiday in the U.S., investors traded with a risk-on mood, still supported by the better-than-expected economic data releases earlier on the week as well as the dovish signals in the minutes of October’s ECB meeting.
A mixed session for financial markets packed with economic data releases ahead of a holiday in the US today (Thanksgiving Day).