Global stocks pause after rebound as bond yields rising halts - 2.3.2021

The Dollar strengthening is intact currently The live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, added 0.1% Monday as Institute for Supply Management reported US manufacturing activity increased to a three-year high in February.

Both EUR/USD and GBP/USD continued sliding Monday despite the Markit report final manufacturing PMI reading for the euro-zone came in at 57.9, up from a flash estimate of 57.7. Both euro and Pound are lower currently against the Dollar. AUD/USD reversed its sliding as USD/JPY slowed its climbing yesterday with both yen and Australian dollar lower against the greenback currently as Australia's central bank stood pat while committing to keep 3-year bond yields low.

Futures on three main US stock indexes are lower currently ahead of Federal Open Market Committee members Brainard and Daly speeches today scheduled for 19:00 CET and 20:00 CET respectively. The three US main stock benchmarks ended solidly higher Monday recording gains ranging from 2.0% to 3.0% led by technology shares.

European stock indexes are down currently after ending higher yesterday led by travel and leisure stocks. Asian indexes are mixed today with Hong Kong’s Heng Seng Index leading losses.