Markets near record highs on successful vaccine rollouts - 15.2.2021

The Dollar weakening has resumed currently. The live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, added 0.1% on Friday despite University of Michigan report US consumer sentiment unexpectedly fell in early February.

EUR/USD reversed its climbing Friday while GBP/USD reversed its sliding after Office for National Statistics report UK gross domestic product rose 1% over quarter in Q4 while UK economy recorded 9.9% fall in 2020 – the biggest annual contraction since the Great Frost of 1709. Both are higher against the Dollar currently. AUD/USD slowed its rising Friday while USD/JPY accelerated its climbing with Australian dollar higher against the greenback currently while yen is down.

Futures on US equity benchmarks are up currently after SP 500 and Nasdaq ended at records on Friday as Senate acquitted Trump despite seven Republicans voting guilty. The three main US stock benchmarks recorded gains on stronger than expected corporate results in the fourth quarter, ranging from 0.1% to 0.5%. US markets are closed today for President’s Day holiday.

European stock indexes are edging higher currently after ending up on Friday led by media shares. Asian indexes are mostly higher with Nikkei index leading the gains today as data showed Japan’s economy continued to expand in the fourth quarter. China and Hong Kong markets are closed for the Lunar New Year holiday.