- A turbulent week for global markets came to an end on Friday with US equity-index futures holding steady and Treasuries rising despite lingering worries that the financial crisis that has rocked bonds and stocks is not yet gone.
- When the S&P 500 index gained 1.8% yesterday and larger banks extended a lifeline to First Republic Bank, the newest American lender to signal trouble, contracts on the index varied. Yet, that didn't stop First Republic's stock from falling in pre-market trade. Positively, FedEx increased by more than 10% when the courier raised its profit projections.
- The Nasdaq 100's futures remained unchanged as the rate-sensitive index headed for its best week since November on hopes that the Federal Reserve might slow its pace of tightening. A measure of the dollar dropped along with the 10-year Treasury yield.
- On Thursday, banks, including JPMorgan and Citigroup, came together to back First Republic. Despite the fact that the rescue effort improved the mood, billionaire investor Bill Ackman was among many who questioned if it would be sufficient to end the crisis. In the meantime, US banks borrowed a total of $164.8 billion in the most recent week from two Federal Reserve backstop facilities, a symptom of heightened financial pressures following Silicon Valley Bank's demise.
- China to cut the reserve Requirement Ratio by 0.25ppt.
- Morgan Stanley now sees ECB delivering a 25 BPS interest rate hike in May vs prior estimate of 50 BPS.
- ECB supervisors were informed at the meeting exposure to Credit Suisse is immaterial, according to a source.
- OECD: Central bank policy rates are expected to peak at 5.25%-5.5% in the United States and 4.25% in the Eurozone and the United Kingdom.
