Headlines:
Markets:
- JPY leads, GBP lags on the day
- European equities higher; S&P 500 futures down 0.1%
- US 10-year yields down 3 bps to 4.060%
- Gold up 0.2% to $2,034.92
- WTI crude down 0.2% to $76.60
- Bitcoin up 1.2% to $43,700
Major currencies remain in a state of flux in trading today, as the focus this week stays on the Fed tomorrow.
The dollar traded more mixed during the session, with light changes for the most part. EUR/USD did ease a little to 1.0811 before recovering to be a touch higher now at 1.0844. This comes after a slew of GDP data in the euro area, which reaffirmed stagnant growth in Q4 last year.
The French and German economies showed struggling signs, with the former contracting again. But that is at least offset by stronger growth from the periphery nations, which ultimately sees the Eurozone economy narrowly avoid a technical recession.
USD/JPY is a little lower on the day, hanging around 147.30-40 levels mostly. That owes to a slight drop in bond yields, continuing the mood from yesterday after the Treasury quarterly refunding estimate was announced.
Meanwhile, GBP/USD is lower by 0.3% to 1.2670 as the pair continues to trade more sideways since the start of the year.
Elsewhere, equities remain more tepid with US futures seen down 0.1%. European indices are slightly higher, playing catch up to the gains in Wall Street yesterday. In the commodities space, gold is little changed while oil continues to slip lower as Middle East tensions abate since the weekend.