US equity indices and UST bond yields gain traction, and the US Dollar falls

Despite the current bank crisis, the latest economic data from the United States (US) would likely keep the US Federal Reserve (Fed) in a tightening mode. US inflation in the US came pretty much aligned with estimates, though on a monthly basis, the core Consumer Price Index (CPI) for February aimed for 0.5%, above forecasts of 0.4%. Headline inflation, the CPI, was 0.4% MoM, aligned with estimates. Annually based inflation data, in general, and core, was below estimates, showing the effect of higher interest rates.

In the meantime, expectations for a 25 bps rate hike by the Federal Reserve (Fed) remained elevated. Nevertheless, developments around the latest banking crisis in the US could influence Fed officials’ decisions next Wednesday. The CME FedWatch Tool odds for a 25 bps hike lie at 65% to the 4.75% - 5.00% range.

Sector-wise, Communication Services, and Financials are the two leaders of the pack, up 2.13% and 1.76%. The laggards are Consumer Staples and Real Estate, each up 0.16% and 0.11%.

Of late, geopolitical concerns over a Russian aircraft crashing with a US drone exacerbated the newest dip in US equities.

US Treasury bond yields are recovering, led by 2s and 10s, each up 7% and 1.76%, respectively. The US Dollar Index (DXY) pairs some of its earlier gains and slides 0.04%, at 103.581.