Stocks climbed alongside US equity futures today, boosted by progress in US debt-ceiling negotiations and Russia's promise to help Europe's energy crisis. Treasury yields were stable ahead of crucial employment data.
Apple and Tesla were up in premarket trade on the Nasdaq, leading advances among US indices. European stocks rose as the ECB was reported to be considering a fresh bond-buying scheme to avoid market volatility as emergency purchases are phased down. Asian equities were buoyed by a rebound in Hong Kong-listed technology companies.
Worries about the energy crisis, rising inflation, less stimulus, and weaker GDP have all roiled markets in the last month. The possibility of an agreement to extend the US debt ceiling beyond December is assuaging concerns about political squabbling, while Friday's payrolls data may provide insight on the Federal Reserve's plan to reduce asset purchases.
After Russia promised to alleviate Europe's energy problem and as US inventories rose faster than anticipated, oil prices continued to fall from a seven-year high. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note remained unchanged, as did the value of the dollar.
Also today, ECB governing council member Yannis Stournaras boosted market confidence by saying that the central bank will not raise interest rates prematurely.
