Opening Bell: Futures, Global Stocks Jump Despite Virus Fears; Oil Rebounds

 | Feb 05, 2020 12:30

  • Eager dip buyers bid stocks higher
  • Tech heavy NASDAQ hits new all-time-high
  • Dollar boosted by increasing rate cut signals from foreign central banks
  • h2 Key Events/h2

    U.S. futures, including for the S&P 500, Dow Jones and NASDAQ, along with European shares all jumped this morning on reports of a drug breakthrough for the still-spreading coronavirus. Earlier, Asian markets produced another day of green moves even amid mixed earnings results from Wall Street, escalating virus reports and U.S. political drama.

    Treasurys seem to have found their footing and oil rebounded from a fresh low. The U.S. dollar remained bid.

    h2 Global Financial Affairs/h2

    On Wednesday, contracts on the U.S. indices had a dramatic session. They dropped at first after U.S. department store retailer Macy’s (NYSE:M) announced last night they would be closing 125 stores over the next three years. However, futures reversed on the potentially positive coronavirus news.

    After a weak open, the STOXX Europe 600 Index gained. A drop in household-goods and oil stocks during the earliest part of the session was offset by an advance in tech shares and construction firms.

    Asia enjoyed a second straight positive day after yesterday's exuberant U.S. session. For the first time in two weeks, even though the viral spread continues, with global confirmed cases at about 25,000 and the number of deaths approaching 500, investors seem to have moved on, relying perhaps on stimulus from governments and central banks to continue supporting rising stock valuations.

    Despite mixed geopolitical fundamentals, stocks on Wall Street surged yesterday, jumping the most since August.