Daily Economics Dashboard - 11 February 2021
An overview of key economic and financial metrics.
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Download an overview of key economic and financial metrics on 11 February 2021 2020.
Equities: In Europe, stocks are mixed this morning, with the DAX (+0.4%) and STOXX 600 (+0.3%) both higher, while the CAC 40 and the FTSE 250 are both down -0.2%. In Asia, most markets are closed due to the Lunar New Year holiday, however, the Hang Seng (+0.4%) closed higher, while the S&P / ASX 200 (-0.1%) was down on close. Futures for the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are both currently +0.3%.
VIX: Following a +2% increase over Wednesday, the CBOE market volatility index has declined -1.0% this morning to 21.8, remaining above its long term average (LTA) of 19.5. The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index is also lower, down -4.8% to 21.4, below its LTA of 23.9.
Bonds: The UK 10-year gilt yield, German 10-year bund yield and Italian 10-year bond yield compressed -2bps this morning to 0.47%, -0.47%, and 0.48%. This takes the Italian 10-year bond yield to its lowest level on record.
Currency: Sterling and the euro are currently $1.38 and $1.21, respectively. Hedging benefits for US dollar denominated investors into the UK and the eurozone are at 0.46% and 1.35% per annum on a five-year basis.
Baltic Dry: The Baltic Dry declined for the third consecutive session on Wednesday, down -0.2% to 1303, its lowest level since mid December. The index remains -30% below the four-month high seen in mid January. Capesize rates continue to push prices downwards, with declines spanning the past 15 sessions, falling -5.4% yesterday to its lowest level since 9th December 2020.
Oil: Oil prices have declined for the first time in ten days this morning with Brent Crude and the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) down -0.7% and -0.6% to $61.06 and $58.35, respectively.
US Unemployment: There were 793k new unemployment applications in the week to 5th February, above market expectations of 757k, but lower than 812k last week. This is the lowest number of jobless claims in four weeks.
COVID-19 Vaccine: The World Health Organisation have recommended the AstraZeneca vaccine for all adults, with the two doses administered 8-12 weeks apart. This comes as circa 151 million people globally have now been vaccinated, an increase of +12% since Monday.