Equities closed higher in New York, as traders ignored concerns over higher interest rates. The Dow gained more than 400 points or 1.25%, boosted by Salesforce shares rallying 11%, on a strong quarter and forward guidance. The S&P500 trading 0.5% higher, while the Nasdaq was down earlier in the session, however also closed up 0.5%. 

Rates moved higher, with the 10-year note yield trading above 4% and the 2-year note yield reaching levels not seen in over a decade. 

European markets closed in the green, recovering from earlier losses, after the eurozone inflation data came in above expectations. Headline inflation fell to 8.5% in February, from 8.6% the previous month. 

What to watch today:

• The SPI futures are this morning suggesting that Australian market will open 0.31% higher. 
• We may see miners Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) and BHP Group (ASX:BHP) end the week on a positive note, after their shares on the NYSE pushed higher in late trade overnight. Yesterday, ASX-listed BHP saw its biggest one-day gain in almost 4-months, amid evidence of China’s reopening economy. 
• In commodities, 
  • Oil prices have jumped, as the market weighs hopes for a rebound in Chinese demand, against concerns about further policy tightening from the Fed. So, keep your eye on energy producers today such as Woodside Energy (ASX:WDS) and Beach Energy (ASX:BPT). 
  • Gold has remained steady for three days, amid the prospect of further monetary tightening. 
  • Iron ore is strong, currently trading 1.6% higher with investors optimistic about higher Chinese demand after since the country’s reopening. 
• Stocks that are set to go ex-dividend today are Ampol (ASX:ALD), Nine Entertainment (ASX:NEC) and Treasury Wine Estates (ASX:TWE). Remember, this may see share prices fall, as investors take their profits. 

Trading Ideas:

• Bell Potter maintain a Buy rating on Mincor resources (ASX:MCR), although the company’s H1 2023 results were below Bell’s forecasts. They have reduced their price target by 9% to $1.70, and at MCR’s current share price of $1.27, this implies 34% share price growth in a year. 
• Trading Central have identified a bearish signal in Macquarie Group (ASX:MQG), indicating that the stock price may fall from the close of $184.86 to the range of $174 to $176 over 30 days, according to the standard principles of technical analysis.