Investing.com - Here are the top five things you need to know in financial markets on Monday, March 7:
1. China’s FX reserves fall less than expected
China's foreign exchange reserves shrank for the fourth straight month in February, but fell at a much slower pace as the nation’s currency stabilized.
Foreign exchange reserves dropped by $28.6 billion to $3.20 trillion in February, according to central bank data released on Monday. Analysts were expecting a reading of $3.19 trillion.
Market experts said a stabilizing yuan exchange rate against the U.S. dollar has helped to cushion the outflow pressure.
2. China announces 2016 economic targets
Market players digested China's new economic targets announced at the National People's Congress over the weekend.
The targets for 2016 included a revised growth target of between 6.5% and 7%, a consumer price index growth target of around 3% and a budget deficit at 3% of gross domestic product.
3. Oil adds to last week’s gains amid bullish sentiment
Oil prices extended last week’s strong gains on Monday, hitting fresh two-month highs amid the growing view that a 20-month-long market rout is finally coming to an end.
U.S. crude was up 50 cents, or 1.39%, at $36.42 a barrel, by 10:45GMT, or 5:45AM ET, while Brent rose 47 cents, or 1.21%, to $39.19.
Since falling to 13-year lows at $26.05 on February 11, U.S. crude futures have rebounded by approximately 30%, while Brent futures are up by roughly 25% since briefly dropping below $30 a barrel on February 11.
4. Global stock markets mostly lower as ECB caution sets in
Global stocks edged mostly lower Monday, as caution set in ahead of the European Central Bank’s highly anticipated policy decision later this week.
European shares fell, following a mixed session in Asia, as investors digest the latest economic targets from China and focus on the European Central Bank's next meeting this week.
Elsewhere, U.S. stock index futures pointed to a weaker open as markets continued to digest Friday’s mixed U.S. jobs report.
5. Fed speakers in focus
With very little U.S. data on the economic docket this week, market players will pay close attention to speeches from a pair of Federal Reserve officials on Monday to judge the balance of opinion among policymakers on the prospect of further rate hikes.
Federal Reserve Governor Lael Brainard is due to deliver a speech titled "Economic Outlook, Liquidity and Resilience" at the Institute of International Bankers Annual Washington Conference, in Washington D.C. at 18:00GMT, or 1:00PM ET, Monday.
At the same time, Fed Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer will deliver a speech titled "Reflections on Macroeconomics Then and Now" at the National Association for Business Economics policy conference, in Washington D.C.