Daily Economics Dashboard - 22 February 2021

Download an overview of key economic and financial metrics on 22 February 2021 2020.

COVID-19: The total number of cases recorded globally has surpassed 111 million, according to Johns Hopkins University & Medicine. Circa 204.8 million people globally have been vaccinated, an increase of +19% over the week. Reported deaths have reached 2.5 million.
Equities: Globally, stocks are mostly lower. In Europe, both the STOXX 600 and FTSE 250 are down -0.9%, while the CAC and DAX are both -0.8% lower. In Asia, the CSI 300 (-3.1%), Hang Seng (-1.1%), KOSPI (-0.9%) and S&P / ASX 200 (-0.2%) were all lower on close. The TOPIX (+0.5%) was the only index to close higher. In the US, futures for the S&P 500 are -0.8% this morning.
VIX: After declining -2% over Friday, the CBOE market volatility index has increased +11.0% this morning to 24.5, above its long term average (LTA) of 19.9. Meanwhile, the Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index is lower over the morning, down -9.1% to 20.5, remaining below its LTA of 23.9.
Bonds: The US 10-year treasury yield has softened +3bps to 1.37, while the UK 10-year gilt yield and German 10-year bund yield have held steady this morning at 0.70% and -0.31%. The US treasury yield and UK gilt yield are at their highest levels since February and March 2020, respectively.
Currency: Sterling and the euro are currently $1.40 and $1.21, respectively. Hedging benefits for US dollar denominated investors into the UK have reduced over the weekend to 0.29% per annum on a five-year basis, down from 0.49% on Friday and 0.56% one month ago. Meanwhile, hedging benefits into the Eurozone on a five-year basis have increased to 1.46%, just higher than 1.42% on Friday and up +8bps on 1.38% one week ago.
Oil: The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) remains below $60 per barrel this morning, despite increasing +0.4% to $59.49, while Brent Crude has decreased -0.7% to $62.45.
German Exports: China has overtaken France as Germany’s second largest export market, behind the US. In 2020, Germany exported circa €96 billion to China, which steady compared to the 2019 figure, while German exports to France declined -15% over 2020. Over 2020, German exports to the US also declined, down -13%.