- Stocks and sovereign bonds were under pressure on Tuesday, as investors worried about Russia's war in Ukraine and the possibility of aggressive monetary policy tightening by the US to combat inflation.
- An Asia-pacific equities index sank for the third straight session, weighed down by a worsening sell-off in Chinese technology stocks. Japan, which is heavily reliant on exports, defied the trend with minor improvements despite a weaker currency. Following a collapse in Wall Street stocks, which put the Nasdaq 100 in a bear market, US contracts swayed.
- China pumped more money into the financial system and set a weaker-than-expected yuan reference rate in an effort to keep the economy afloat during the trade war. Officials, on the other hand, refrained from lowering the policy rate.
- Prior to the Fed's projected interest-rate hike on Wednesday, Australian and New Zealand rates soared and treasuries sank. The 10-year yield in the United States was at its highest level since 2019. The value of the dollar increased.
- Price pressures are being fuelled by rising commodity costs as a result of supply interruptions caused by Russia's invasion. This background strengthens the case for Fed tightening while also posing threats to economic development.
- The price of West Texas Intermediate crude has dropped below $100 per barrel. Traders are evaluating potential talks between Ukraine and Russia to end the war. The virus lockdowns in China are also posing a threat to demand.