U.S. Opening Bell: New Russia Attacks, Inflation Weigh On Stocks, Futures Slide

 | Apr 19, 2022 06:45

  • Yen sees longest losing streak in 50 years
  • Energy prices dent Travel & Leisure sector
  • Oil slips
  • h2 Key Events/h2

    Fresh comments from members of the U.S. Federal Reserve Open Market Committee have heightened the prospect of a faster path to higher U.S. interest rates and at the same time, sent European shares and U.S. futures on the Dow Jones, S&P 500, NASDAQ and Russell 2000 lower on Tuesday.

    Russia's newest military offensive in Ukraine is adding to the negative sentiment on equities.

    Gold prices have slumped despite the ongoing uncertainty.

    h2 Global Financial Affairs/h2

    After most underlying gauges declined slightly on Monday, all four US contracts began the day in the green, but have since all reversed lower.

    In Europe, the travel and leisure sector slipped, sending the STOXX 600 down. The sector faces two headwinds: ongoing worries about the coronavirus, as European destinations are considered high risk by the CDC, and spiking energy prices. Conversely, the energy sector was in positive territory, tracking strong gains in the price of oil.

    Although Brent prices slipped, the European benchmark has posted its longest winning streak since January 2018, rallying for five consecutive months.