- On Tuesday, new concerns over the efficacy of current vaccinations against the omicron coronavirus strain sent markets back into risk-off mode, with US equities futures and European stock markets also falling. Bonds rose in value as investors sought safe-havens.
- The S&P 500 fell around 1%, and the 10-year Treasury rate fell below the levels seen on Friday, when omicron-induced worries of global economic collapse initially roiled markets. The dollar fell as speculators bet that the Federal Reserve will keep its stimulus policy in place for longer than expected.
- The Stoxx Europe 600 index has dropped to a nearly seven-week low. Retail, travel, and automakers were among the worst-performing sectors, while energy stocks plummeted as crude oil headed for its worst monthly loss this year. Commodity-linked currencies were falling, while the yen and gold were rising.
- US Secretary of State Blinken: Any further escalatory Russian actions would have serious consequences.
- EU's Gentiloni: The outlook for growth is unknown; New virus variant brings new risks.
- US money markets have pushed out Fed rate hike expectations, fully pricing a 25 basis point increase in September 2022 vs. last week's IRPR.
- Japan's first budget for fiscal 2022 will exceed 107 trillion yen. - Kyodo
- Japan discovers their first omicron case - Kyodo