LONDON — The United States central bank’s plans to scale back its stimulus and fears Chinese policy may be tightening sent the dollar sharply higher yesterday, while world shares extended last week’s dismal performance.
Reuters
The sell-off in stocks, bonds and commodities since the Federal Reserve signalled an end to the era of cheap money that has fuelled record rises in asset prices is seen having further to run.
“The prospect for a disorderly transition is there,” said Josh Raymond, market strategist for City Index.
Fears of further market turmoil have been exacerbated by worries over China’s growth outlook and the health of its banks after the country’s central bank said liquidity in its financial system is “reasonable”, despite high short-term rates.
Amid the selling, yields on 10-year US Treasury notes, a benchmark for global rates, hit a two-year high of 2,57% yesterday, supporting the dollar which added 0,4% against a basket major currencies to 82,66.
In share markets, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 1,8% to its lowest since early September.
However, a bumper takeover in the telecoms sector helped European shares, with the FTSE Eurofirst 300 index of top shares down just 0,2%.
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Data from Germany’s Ifo institute, which is expected to show a gradual improvement in the euro area’s largest economy, could also soothe some ofthe concerns.
Commodity markets were also weaker.
Copper dropped to its weakest level in 21 months, while oil slipped below $100 a barrel.
