OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS
March E-mini S&Ps (ESH15 -0.36%) this morning are down -0.16% and European stocks are down -0.36% as a drop in crude oil undercuts energy producers and leads the overall market lower. Equity losses were limited after the PBOC cut banks’ reserve ratio by 50 bp to 19.50%. European stocks also found support from stronger-than-expected Eurozone Dec retail sales and from an upward revision to the Eurozone Jan composite PMI to a 6-month high. Asian stocks closed mixed: Japan +1.98%, Hong Kong +0.51%, China -1.04%, Taiwan +0.69%, Australia +1.23%, Singapore +0.28%, South Korea +0.49%, India -0.40%. Chinese stocks closed lower after a gauge of services activity last month slowed to the weakest pace in 6 months, although Chinese stocks have yet to react to the reserve ratio cut by the PBOC, which was done after Chinese equity markets had closed. Commodity prices are mixed. Mar crude oil (CLH15 -3.02%) is down -2.96% and Mar gasoline (RBH15 -2.29%) is down -2.45%. Apr gold (GCJ15 +0.60%) is up +0.51%. Mar copper (HGH15 +0.35%) is up +0.41% to a 2-week high after China lowered banks’ reserve ratios, which may spur economic growth. Agriculture prices are mixed. The dollar index (DXY00 +0.09%) is up +0.19%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.24%. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down-0.09%. Mar T-note prices (ZNH15 unch) are unchanged.
In an attempt to add liquidity to the economy, the Peoples Bank of China (PBOC) lowered the reserve ratio that banks must set aside as reserves by 50 bp to 19.50%, effective Feb 5.
Eurozone Dec retail sales rose +0.3% m/m and +2.8% y/y, better than expectations of unch m/m and +2.0% y/y with the +2.8% y/y gain the largest annual increase in 7-3/4 years.
The Eurozone Jan Markit composite PMI was revised upward to 52.6 from the originally reported 52.2, the fastest pace of expansion in 6 months.
The German Jan Markit services PMI was revised upward to 54.0 from the originally reported 52.7.
