Global stocks stalled as euro squeezed; virus fears return

SYDNEY — Stocks made a wobbly start to the week while oil and the euro were under pressure on Monday, as the return of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions in Europe and talk about hastened tapering from the US Federal Reserve put investors on guard.

Oil futures skidded about 1% to seven-week lows early in the Asia session, before recovering a little.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.1%. Futures steadied after selling on Friday and EuroSTOXX 50 futures were up 0.2% and S&P 500 futures up 0.3%.

Austria began its fourth lockdown on Monday, with neighbouring Germany warning it may follow suit, shutting Christmas markets, bars, cafés and theaters.

“There are question marks over the resilience of Europe and the European economy,” said Rodrigo Catril, a strategist at National Australia Bank in Sydney.

The euro slipped 0.2% to $1.1280, close to a 16-month low. The common currency has been the prime mover in markets over recent sessions as investors wager on Europe’s economy lagging well behind the US recovery.

Safe-haven assets such as bonds, gold and the yen have also benefited from the recent cautious tone.

On Monday, the yield on benchmark 10-year US Treasuries was steady at 1.5600%. Gold found support at $1,845 an ounce. The yen hovered at 114.09 per dollar.

Chipmakers stood out as gaining against the tide, on a brightened demand outlook, helping Japan’s Nikkei stay steady and lifting South Korea’s Kospi by 1%. Samsung and SK Hynix each rose by more than 5%.

Trade is likely to be thinned this week by Thanksgiving in the United States, but the virus’ resurgence has traders once again monitoring COVID-19 cases and governments’ responses.

Central bank speakers are also in focus this week, while surveys in Europe and Britain through are expected to show a downward trend in output and sentiment.

Demand worries just as China, Japan and the United States mull releasing stockpiled oil have now pushed benchmark Brent futures — sometimes a bellwether for growth — to $78.69 a barrel, down about 9% from last month’s three-year high.

“The combination of COVID, growth and geopolitical concerns in the euro zone is supportive of safe-haven plays,” said Rabobank’s head of FX strategy Jane Foley.

Meanwhile, the US economy has been surprising analysts with stronger-than-expected retail sales data and hot inflation in recent weeks. The focus this week is on prices and the labor market and on what the Fed might do about their strength.

Fed Vice-Chair Richard Clarida said last week that quickening the pace of tapering might be worth discussing at December’s meeting. November meeting minutes are due on Wednesday.

China stood pat on its benchmark lending rates on Monday, as expected, and the yuan firmed even though signs of official discomfort at its strength seem to grow.

Central banks in South Korea and New Zealand are expected to hike rates this week, with swaps markets priced for about a 40% chance of a 50 basis point rate hike in New Zealand.

Bitcoin was under pressure after posting its worst week in two months last week and fell 3% to $57,000. —