Daily Economics Dashboard - 22 March 2021
An overview of key economic and financial metrics.
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Download an overview of key economic and financial metrics on 22 March 2021.
COVID-19: The total number of cases recorded globally has surpassed 123 million, according to Johns Hopkins University & Medicine. Circa 436.4 million people globally have been vaccinated, an increase of +22% over the week. Reported deaths have reached circa 2.7 million.
Equities: This morning In Europe, stocks are mostly higher. Gains have been recorded by the FTSE 250 (+0.4%), DAX (+0.3%) and STOXX 600 (+0.1%), however, the CAC 40 is -0.3% lower. In Asia, the CSI 300 (+1.0%) and S&P / ASX 200 (+0.7%) both closed higher, while the TOPIX (-1.1%), Hang Seng (-0.4%) and KOSPI (-0.1%) all closed lower. In the US, futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average are both -0.1%.
VIX: After declining -3% over Friday, the CBOE market volatility index is currently down a further -0.3% this morning to 20.9, albeit remaining above its long term average (LTA) of 19.9. The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index is also lower, down -0.2% to 18.4, remaining below its LTA of 23.9.
Bonds: The US 10-year treasury yield has compressed -4bps this morning to 1.69%, while both the UK 10-year gilt yield and German 10-year bund yield are -2bps lower at 0.83% and -0.31%.
Currency: Sterling and the euro are currently $1.39 and $1.19, respectively. Hedging benefits into the Eurozone are currently 1.74% on a five year basis, up from 1.68% on Friday. Hedging benefits into the UK are also higher, currently 0.56%, compared to 0.53% on Friday.
Oil: Brent Crude and the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) are slightly higher this morning, up +0.1% and +0.2% to $64.56 and $61.55, respectively.
Baltic Dry: The Baltic Dry increased for the fifth consecutive session on Friday, up +3.0% to 2281, its highest level since 17th September 2019. Over the week, the index grew +16%, its third straight week of gains. Panamax rates have pushed prices higher, up +5.4% on Friday and +32% over the week. Meanwhile, capesize rates increased +3% on Friday and +16% over the week.