Daily Economics Dashboard - 26 February 2021

Download an overview of key economic and financial metrics on 26 February 2021.

COVID-19: The total number of cases recorded globally has surpassed 113 million, according to Johns Hopkins University & Medicine. Circa 227.6 million people globally have been vaccinated, an increase of +16% over the week. Reported deaths have reached 2.5 million.
Equities: Globally, stocks are mostly down. In Europe, the STOXX 600, FTSE 250 and CAC 40 are all -0.4% lower, while the DAX is -0.2% down. In Asia, the Hang Seng (-3.6%), TOPIX (-3.2%), KOSPI (-2.8%), S&P / ASX 200 and CSI 300 (both -2.4%) were all lower on close. However, in the US, futures for the S&P 500 are +0.2%.
VIX: After increasing +35% over Thursday to its highest level since 1st February, the CBOE market volatility index has declined -1.8% this morning to 28.4, remaining elevated compared to its long term average (LTA) of 19.9. Meanwhile, the Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index has increased +3.4% to 25.5, above its LTA of 23.9 for the first time in three weeks.
Bonds: The US 10-year treasury yield and German 10-year bund yield have both compressed -5bps to 1.48% and -0.26%, while the UK 10-year gilt yield has held steady at 0.79%.
Currency: Sterling and the euro have depreciated to $1.39 and $1.21, respectively. Hedging benefits for US dollar denominated investors into the UK and the eurozone are at 0.55% and 1.60% per annum on a five-year basis.
Oil: Brent Crude and the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) have decreased -2.2% and -1.0% to $65.39 and $62.88, respectively.
Baltic Dry: The Baltic Dry declined for the second consecutive session on Thursday, down -0.5% to 1700. The index remains -8% below the four-month high seen in mid January 2021. Prices have been pushed downwards by panamax rates, which decreased -3% yesterday, extending its losing streak to six consecutive sessions.
UK Car Manufacturing: The number of cars built in the UK reached circa 86,000 in January, a -27% decline compared to the same month in 2019 and the worst January figure in over a decade. January 2021 marked the 17th consecutive month of decline in output, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).