📆 Wednesday, February 12
► European stocks edged further up but see little action as investor wait for key U.S. inflation data and the second round of Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s testimony. The Stoxx 600 rose 0.1%, touching a record high at 548, as food and beverage stocks outperformed. Heineken (+12%) surged after reporting strong demand for premium beers, lifting sentiment across the sector. Siemens Energy delivered better-than-expected results, with Siemens Energy raising its free cash flow guidance but lost most of the initial gains (currently at +0.3%) again.
► U.S. stock futures declined slightly ahead of the CPI report, with the S&P 500 (-0.15%), and Nasdaq (-0.10%). Powell reiterated that the Fed remains patient on rate cuts, reinforcing expectations of just one cut by September. Treasury yields ticked higher, with the 10-year yield reaching 4.545% (+ 1bp), reflecting concerns that inflation might remain sticky. Investors are also watching for more Trump tariff announcements, as his 25% levies on steel and aluminum continue to rattle global trade sentiment.
► Asian markets were mixed as traders reacted to Powell’s testimony and China’s AI-driven rally. Japan’s Nikkei (+0.47%) rebounded to 39,900, though the JPY weakened past 153/USD on uncertainty over Japan’s potential inclusion in U.S. tariffs. China’s Shanghai Composite (+0.85%) and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (+2.64%) climbed, fueled by DeepSeek AI optimism and Alibaba’s (+8.6%) surge after reports of a partnership with Apple on AI features in China.
Subscribe to see more
