Newsquawk Rundown, Daily Podcast

Most major Asian equity markets traded positively as the region took impetus from the record-setting session in the US where the S&P 500 notched a record closeIn FX markets, the DXY remained subdued and moved closer towards 92.00, EUR/USD briefly reclaimed 1.1900 status, while GBP/USD hovered around 1.3350Gold was little changed and languished around the prior day's lows near the USD 1800/oz levelUS Treasury Secretary Mnuchin said he...

European equity indices are firmer across the board, Euro Stoxx 50 +1.20%, with sectors exhibiting cyclical outperformance; echoed in US futures with RTY +1.6% outperforming ES +0.8% & NQ +0.4%Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine efficacy at 91.4% on day 28 and over 95% on day 42German Ifo business climate & current conditions beat November expectations but all measures fell from prior; Ifo notes that vaccine prospects are yet to be reflected in business expectationsFX features a downbeat...

Asian equity markets were mostly positive amid several bullish factors including ongoing vaccine hopes, strong US PMI data and reports that President-elect Biden is to pick former Fed Chair Yellen for Treasury SecretaryAdditionally, the General Services Administration informed President-elect Biden’s team that the transition can formally beginThe DXY trades sub-92.50, EUR/USD hovers around 1.1850 and GBP/USD reclaimed 1.33 statusFurther...

European bourses are bolstered on COVID-19 updates but are off highs at present, Euro Stoxx 50 +0.5%, while US futures remain in proximity to highs with RTY +0.9% marginally outperforming; ES +0.6% & NQ +0.3%AstraZeneca/Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine candidate met its primary endpoint; two regimes one with 90% efficacy the other 62%. Can be stored, transported & handled at normal fridge temperatures for at least 6-monthsRegeneron announced that its antibody cocktail REGN-COV2 received...

Asian equity markets began the week on the front boot amid virus treatment hopes after reports the FDA granted EUA for Regeneron’s REGN-COV2 antibody cocktailHowever, some of the optimism in the region was offset by concerns regarding rising infectionIn FX markets, the DXY trades softer, EUR/USD eyes 1.19 to the upside, GBP outperforms on Brexit optimismUK PM Johnson is preparing a significant Brexit intervention as negotiators start their final push for a dealUK PM Johnson is to tell...

European bourses are firmer this morning (Stoxx 50 +0.70%) seemingly unphased by the Fed/Treasury updates while US futures have been recouping losses and are now mixed/flatUS Treasury Secretary Mnuchin made a request for the Fed to return unused CARES Act funds and shelved several programs that utilize those fundsThis prompted a response from the Fed which would prefer to continue with the full suite of emergency facilities to support the economyUS HHS's Azar expects Pfizer (PFE) to file an...

Asian equity markets traded with a non-committal tone as participants reflected on the choppy price action statesideUS Treasury Secretary Mnuchin made a request for the Fed to return unused CARES Act funds and shelved several programs that utilize those fundsThis prompted a response from the Fed which would prefer to continue with the full suite of emergency facilities to support the economyStaff for US House Speaker Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Schumer and...

Equities have continued to move lower since the European cash open as markets balance positive and negative updates on the COVID-19 front; ES & NQ -0.4%, RTY -0.7%AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine has produced a strong immune response among elderly adults; Phase III efficacy data possible in the coming weeksEU Chief Brexit Negotiator Barnier has cancelled briefings to the EU on Tuesday night and Wednesday mid day; interpreted as a cautious positive by BBC’s KuenssbergCBRT hiked by 475bps as...

Asian bourses were mixed as the region partially shrugged-off the risk-averse mood that rolled over from US where early vaccine optimism faded amid COVID-19 concernsSelling in the US exacerbated heading into the close after New York City Mayor De Blasio announced the closure of all public schools from todayIn FX, the DXY has slipped back below 92.50, EUR/USD hovers around 1.1850 and GBP/USD has trimmed gainsEuropean leaders will reportedly demand today that the European Commission publishes...

European bourses are currently modestly firmer after a slightly subdued start to the session; NQ (+0.3%) initially outperformed but RTY (+0.3%) has closed the gap as the session progressedHouse Speaker Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Schumer sent Senate Majority Leader McConnell a letter calling to start negotiations on COVID-19 relief this weekUK Gov’t reportedly to push back on the idea of an imminent Brexit deal and senior sources in Brussels also don't think the politics are right yet; EU briefing...