Wall Street and the EU gained overnight, driven by optimism from the Federal Reserve's approach to interest rates. Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic said he still prefers to raise rates by another quarter percentage point, should the data suggest that the economy is stronger than he had predicted. Tesla saw its shares fall 5.8 %, as Elon failed to wow investors. Other Tech stocks such as Apple and Alphabet saw moderate gains up 0.41% and 1.82%. The Aussie market is expected to gain this morning with ASX 200 Futures up 28 point (0.39%).
- Copper prices fell 1.8% due to a firmer US dollar and the possibility of new sanctions on China. The US is reportedly sounding out allies on the imposition of new sanctions against China if it provides military support to Russia's war in Ukraine. Copper has lost 6% since January's seven-month high due to a stronger dollar and a slow revival of demand in China.
- Gold prices mostly flat overnight, down 0.03% overnight as the US weekly jobs data suggested a tight labour market that could prompt the US Federal Reserve to continue its rate-hiking cycle. Aluminium -1.3%, Zinc -2.5%, Lead -0.8%, Nickel -2% and Tin -2.8% on the back of a higher USD.
- WTI crude and Brent were mostly unchanged overnight, up 0.62% and 0.21% as hopes for increased Chinese demand against concerns weighed against the Federal Reserve's tightening policies. Bitcoin up 0.26%
- Blinken and Lavrov meet for the first time since Ukraine invasion.
- US labor market stays resilient; Q4 labor costs revised higher.
- US stocks gain as yields cool from earlier highs.
- Coinbase, Galaxy Digital abandon Silvergate after lender flags risks to business.
- Elon Musk's 'Master Plan' for Tesla fails to charge up investors. Tesla down 7%
- Tesla vows to halve EV production costs, Musk keeps affordable car plan under wraps.
- Wall St stocks, dollar power higher despite rate fears.
- China increasingly ambitious with 2023 growth target, may aim for up to 6%.
- US to announce new military aid package for Ukraine on Friday -White House.
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