Covid-19 Daily Dashboard - 8 December 2020
An overview of key economic and financial metrics.
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Download an overview of key economic and financial metrics relating to Covid-19 on 8 December 2020.
COVID-19 Vaccine: The rollout of the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine commenced in England today.
Lockdown: In Denmark, from tomorrow, a partial lockdown will be implemented in areas including Copenhagen, Odense and Aarhus, with schools, restaurants, sports and entertainment facilities closing. In Greece, the lockdown has been extended until 7th January, and in Germany, the Bavaria region will tighten its current lockdown, imposing curfews, whilst limiting travel to and from the Czech Republic.
Equities: Globally, stocks are mostly lower. In Europe, the CAC 40 (-0.6%), STOXX 600 (-0.3%), FTSE 250 and the DAX (both -0.2%) are all down this morning. In Asia, the Kospi (-1.6%), Hang Seng (-0.8%), CSI 300 (-0.2%) and Topix (-0.1%) all closed down. However, the S&P / ASX 200 was the exception, closing +0.2% higher. In the US, futures for the S&P 500 are -0.3%.
VIX: Following a +3.5% increase over Monday, the CBOE market volatility index has gained a further +2.1% this morning, currently at 21.8, which is just above its long term average (LTA) of 19.9. The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index has also increased, up +0.2% to 21.5, albeit remaining below its LTA of 24.0.
Bonds: The UK 10-year gilt yield and the US 10-year treasury yield have both softened +1bp to 0.29% and 0.93%, respectively. Meanwhile, the German 10-year bund yield has compressed -1bp to -0.60%.
Currency: Sterling has appreciated to $1.34 while the euro is currently $1.21. Hedging benefits for US dollar denominated investors into the UK and the eurozone are 0.46% and 1.34% per annum on a five-year basis.
Baltic Dry: The Baltic Dry decreased -2.9% yesterday to 1162, the largest daily decline in 18 sessions and the lowest the index has been in 2 weeks. Year to date gains in the index are currently at +7%, following cumulative declines of -45% since 6th October. When compared to the peak of 1956 seen on 6th July, the index is down -41%.
Gold: The price of gold increased +1.3% over Monday to $1,862. The price of gold is now +22% above where it was at the start of the year, albeit -10% down compared to the record price achieved on 6th August of $2,063.