Daily Economics Dashboard - 8 February 2021

Download an overview of key economic and financial metrics on 8 February 2021 2020.

Equities: In Europe, stocks are mostly higher this morning, with gains recorded by the CAC 40 (+0.6%), STOXX 600 (+0.4%) and DAX (+0.3%). However, the FTSE 250 is currently down -0.3%. In Asia, the TOPIX (+1.7%), CSI 300 (+1.5%), S&P / ASX 200 (+0.6%) and Hang Seng (+0.1%) were all up on close. Meanwhile, the KOSPI closed -0.9% down. Futures for the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are currently +0.3% and +0.4%, respectively.
VIX: Following a -4% decline over Friday, the CBOE market volatility index has increased +4.5% this morning to 21.8, remaining above its long term average (LTA) of 19.5. The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index is also higher, up +1.5% to 20.9, below its LTA of 23.9.
Bonds: The UK 10-year gilt yield has softened +3bps to 0.52%, while the US 10-year treasury yield and the German 10-year bund yield are both up +2bps this morning to 1.19% and -0.43%. The UK and US 10-year bond yields are at their highest levels since January and February 2020, respectively, while Germany’s 10-year bund yield has reached a five-month high.
Currency: Sterling and the euro are currently $1.37 and $1.20, respectively. Hedging benefits for US dollar denominated investors into the UK and the eurozone are at 0.45% and 1.37% per annum on a five-year basis.
Baltic Dry: The Baltic Dry increased +0.5% on Friday to 1333, the first session in eleven to record a daily increase. The index remains -28% below the four-month high seen in mid January.
Oil: Brent Crude has increased above $60 per barrel for the first time since 1st January 2020, pre-pandemic, following a +1.2 increase this morning. The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) has also increased to levels last seen in January 2020, up +1.1% to $57.48.