Morning wrap (15.02.2021)

• Asian markets launched a new week higher. Nikkei gained 1.9% and closed above 30,000 pts for the first time since 1990. S&P/ASX 200 added 0.9% while Kospi gained 1.6%

• S&P 500 futures are trading higher and looking towards 3,950 pts mark

• DAX futures point to a higher opening of the European session

• US Senate acquitted Donald Trump in the impeachment case

• 290 thousand new coronavirus cases were reported yesterday, the lowest figure since October 12, 2020. Number of patients with severe cases dropped below 100,000 for the first time since November 16

• Japanese Prime Minister Suga said that the country will take necessary response to damage done by weekend earthquake Fukushima prefecture

• Some divisions surfaced in a new Draghi government after Salvini expressed dissatisfaction with the latest decision on coronavirus restrictions

• South Korean exports increased 39.3% YoY in the first 10 days of February

• Singapore economy grew 3.8% QoQ in Q4 2020

• Japanese economy grew 3% QoQ in Q4 2020 (exp. +2.4% QoQ)

• Oil launched new week higher following reports of clashes between Saudi and Houthi forces

• Precious metals trade mixed - gold and palladium decline while platinum and silver advance

• Bitcoin has reached $49,000 over the weekend. However, the coin started to decline during today's Asian session and now trades slightly below $48,000

• AUD and NZD are the best performing major currencies while JPY and USD lag the most

Less than 300 thousand new coronavirus cases were reported yesterday for the first time since October 12, 2020. Source: worldometers, XTB