Coronavirus-battered markets jump after US $2-trillion stimulus

He said it was now vital to see some positive signs on the virus itself and that health systems were not being overwhelmed. “Market direction can change very, very quickly depending on one item of news or one development,” he added.

The US stimulus deal, billed as a $2-trillion package, is expected to include $500bn in direct payments to people and $500bn in liquidity assistance.

US President Donald Trump had also pressed his case for a reopening of the US economy by mid-April, though that had met immediate scepticism given the rise of infections in the US is now among the highest in the world.

In particular, its financial hub of New York City suffered another big increase in the number of infections, fuelling worries about a shortage of hospital beds.

Dollar de-stress

In the currency markets, the dollar slipped for a third straight session as the scramble for liquidity was soothed again by the supersized US stimulus plan.

The risk-sensitive Australian dollar jumped over the 60c mark for the first time in a week and euro traded up 0.4% up past $1.0835 in a fourth straight day of gains.

With traders moving gradually away from safety bolt holes, the  yen eased to ¥111.34/$ to leave it just off a one-month low.

Bond markets were also calmer. Benchmark US treasuries were yielding 0.86% while in Europe Germany’s 10-year yield edged a basis point higher to -0.31%, tailed by other higher-rated government debt.,

In Italy which remains the epicentre for the virus in Europe, Rome’s 10-year borrowing costs were unchanged at 1.59%; nearly half last week’s high of 3.01%.

In metals markets, gold changed hands at $1,610.0/oz, retaining its gains of almost 5% on Tuesday, its biggest jump since 2008.

Oil prices bounced another 2% as hopes for US stimulus also boosted hopes for global demand.

Brent crude futures rose to $27.51 per barrel. That is up about $5, or about 13%, from their 18-year intraday low on Friday. Still on the month, the market is down 45%. 

Reuters