BREATHE IN (0707 GMT)
Markets are holding their breath for a week where central banks may start to take divergent paths. Chinese markets have returned from the Lunar New Year break with a bit of a whimper rather than a bang and the wind filling the sails of a wider positive mood has backed off while rate decisions in the U.S., Europe and the UK beckon. Right now, investors' glasses remain half full, with traders pricing in a 25 basis point hike from the Federal Reserve and hoping to hear talk of a peak in rates from Jerome Powell. Wall Street's "fear index" - the VIX volatility index - on Friday fell below 18.0 for the first time in over a year, and perhaps a little under the radar, U.S. bond market volatility is now its lowest since last June. But cagey trade on Monday illuminates the nerves. Tech earnings loom as a mood test in the United States this week.
The European Central Bank, appears to be eying a 50 bp hike, too, which is helping keep the euro near nine-month highs, while the Bank of England is also expected to go 50 bps. In Asia, markets slipped slightly, U.S. futures fell 0.4% and currency trade was eerily calm. The Nikkei newspaper reported Renault was to lower its share holding in Nissan to 15%, while the latter would invest in Renault's EV business. Shares in India's Adani Enterprises climbed 6% on Monday, but several other Adani group companies plunged for the third straight day as the group fends off criticism from a U.S. short-seller. Things have not gone well for investors in other firms Hindenburg has targeted. Key developments that could influence markets on Monday: - Germany GDP (Q4) - Euro zone sentiment indicators (January)
(Tom Westbrook)
*****
<^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Hit by Hindenburg ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^>
