- European stocks finished higher, dollar strengthens
- Belarus may launch attack on Ukraine today
- US imposes further sanctions on Russia
Today's session was largely dominated by geopolitical events. All major European bourses rebounded, with the benchmark DAX 30 adding over 1% to above 13,600 points and closing the week on a solid note. Positive moods appeared after the comments of Vladimir Putin, who announced a positive turn in talks with Ukraine. On the data front, Germany's headline inflation rate was confirmed at 5.1% in February, just marginally below an over 29-year high of 5.3% hit two months earlier, while the UK economy rebounded more strongly than expected in January.
Nevertheless, the sentiment deteriorated after the launch of the US session. President Biden imposed another package of sanctions on Russia, which include: a ban on the import of Russian alcohol, seafood and diamonds, a ban on the export of luxury goods to Russia. US will prohibit future investments in any sector of the Russian economy. Russia is cut off from obtaining funding from the IMF or the World Bank. Late in the afternoon, the Israeli Jerusalem Post reported, Belarus could launch its offensive against Ukraine today. On the data front, the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index fell to 59.7 in March, well below analysts’ estimates of 61.4. Currently, the US100 trades 1% lower and the US500 index is hovering near the flat line.
Mixed moods prevail in the commodities markets amid a stronger dollar. US 10-year Treasury yields remain elevated around 2.00% while precious metals are trading below the flat line, although buyers managed to erase most of early losses. Oil prices moved slightly higher after recent declines. WTI oil currently trades around $108.40, while Brent rose to $111.60. Major cryptocurrencies moved lower during today's session. Bitcoin price dropped briefly below $38,500, while Ethereum trades around $2560 level.
NZDUSD pair fell sharply during today's session and broke below the upward trendline. Nevertheless buyers managed to halt declines around 0.6815 support, which coincides with 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the last upward wave. Should break lower occur, support at 0.6773 may be at risk. Source: xStation5
After Iran War: Markets and Prices
BREAKING: IRGC threatens to attack Microsoft, Apple, and Alphabet ⚔️
Market wrap: Cautious optimism in Europe, inflation higher but below expectations
Chart of the day: US100 jumps 1% amid rising Middle East de-escalation hopes (31.03.2026)
The content of this report has been created by XTB S.A., with its registered office in Warsaw, at Prosta 67, 00-838 Warsaw, Poland, (KRS number 0000217580) and supervised by Polish Supervision Authority ( No. DDM-M-4021-57-1/2005). This material is a marketing communication within the meaning of Art. 24 (3) of Directive 2014/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on markets in financial instruments and amending Directive 2002/92/EC and Directive 2011/61/EU (MiFID II). Marketing communication is not an investment recommendation or information recommending or suggesting an investment strategy within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on market abuse (market abuse regulation) and repealing Directive 2003/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Directives 2003/124/EC, 2003/125/EC and 2004/72/EC and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/958 of 9 March 2016 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to regulatory technical standards for the technical arrangements for objective presentation of investment recommendations or other information recommending or suggesting an investment strategy and for disclosure of particular interests or indications of conflicts of interest or any other advice, including in the area of investment advisory, within the meaning of the Trading in Financial Instruments Act of 29 July 2005 (i.e. Journal of Laws 2019, item 875, as amended). The marketing communication is prepared with the highest diligence, objectivity, presents the facts known to the author on the date of preparation and is devoid of any evaluation elements. The marketing communication is prepared without considering the client’s needs, his individual financial situation and does not present any investment strategy in any way. The marketing communication does not constitute an offer of sale, offering, subscription, invitation to purchase, advertisement or promotion of any financial instruments. XTB S.A. is not liable for any client’s actions or omissions, in particular for the acquisition or disposal of financial instruments, undertaken on the basis of the information contained in this marketing communication. In the event that the marketing communication contains any information about any results regarding the financial instruments indicated therein, these do not constitute any guarantee or forecast regarding the future results.
