Opening Bell: U.S. Futures, Europe Stocks Subdued; Bitcoin, Oil Slide

 | Jun 08, 2021 06:47

  • Markets await inflation data for clues ahead of Fed response
  • US Dollar, Treasuries rally
  • Gold falters
  • h2 Key Events/h2

    Despite the expectation that the Biden Administration’s spending plan will provoke a steep hike in inflation, futures on the S&P, NASDAQ and Russell 2000 were only moderately higher in trading on Tuesday, while Dow futures were marginally lower. European stocks were also trading in the green, slightly below record highs.

    Bitcoin slid to a four-and-a-half month low.

    Global Financial Affairs/h2

    The STOXX 600 Index climbed slightly with havens like utilities. Automakers dropped 0.8% after a six-day rally, which had driven the pan-European benchmark to a record high. German data revealed that Europe’s largest economy’s industrial output fell short of expectations, providing further evidence of supply bottlenecks and semiconductor shortages causing a slower than expected recovery in Europe’s steam engine economy.

    Swiss drug maker Lonza (SIX:LONN) gained over 5%, taking the stock to an all-time high, after Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock to “buy,” while British American Tobacco (LON:BATS) rose as much as 2.5%, before paring the gain to 1.6%, after raising its annual revenue growth forecast.

    Traders in Asia experienced a roller coaster as early gains reversed. China’s Shanghai Composite (-0.5%) underperformed, while Australia’s ASX 200 (+0.1%) provided the best results.

    Focus was on yields, with the 10-year rate falling back below 1.6%, though it pared losses and settled at 1.57% as of the time of writing. All eyes are on the consumer-price data which potentially may influence the Fed’s decision on tapering its stimulus.