Morning wrap (25.02.2021)

• US indices finished yesterday's trading higher. S&P 500 gained 1.14%, Nasdaq added 0.99% and Russell 2000 rallied 2.38%. Dow Jones gained 1.35% and reached a new record high

• Stocks in Asia are recovering as well. S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.8%, Nikkei added 1.7% and Kospi moved over 3% higher. Indices from China gained

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

• Total coronavirus death toll has exceeded 2.5 million

• Fed Vice Chairman Clarida said that US rates will not be raised unless 2% inflation and max employment is reached. He also said that he expects inflation to be around 2% by the end of the year

• GameStop volatility started to pick-up once again in the US after-hours trading yesterday. Shares traded as high as $200 during the overnight session

• According to media reports, OPEC+ is considering increasing oil output by 500k starting from April. Moreover, Saudi Arabia may withdraw from voluntary million barrel cut in April as well

• RBNZ has expanded its mandate to consider impact of monetary policy on housing

• Australian CapEx increased 3% QoQ in Q4 2020 (exp. +1% QoQ)

• Bitcoin trades slightly above $50,000

• US 10-year yield sits at 1.40%

• Precious metals and oil trade slightly lower

• EUR and GBP are top performing major currencies while NZD and JPY lag the most

Total coronavirus death toll exceeded 2.5 million. Source: worldometers, XTB