(Bloomberg) -- Stocks were steady in Europe after rising in Asia as traders weighed a series of fresh stimulus moves expected by the world’s central banks. U.S. equity-index futures climbed, while Treasuries slipped with European bonds.
Automaker shares advanced and tourism companies declined in the Stoxx Europe 600 Index, while Japanese stocks led increases in Asia. S&P 500 futures ticked higher after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell gave his last speech before a Sept. 18 policy meeting and cemented views for another interest-rate reduction. Euro-area bonds fell as investors showed less conviction that the European Central Bank’s policy meeting Thursday will result in bold steps for more monetary stimulus. On Friday, the People’s Bank of China said it will cut the amount of cash banks must hold as reserves to the lowest level since 2007, injecting liquidity into the economy as the trade war with the U.S. weighs on growth.
Central banks returned to the spotlight as protectionist moves by the world’s two biggest economies cast shadows across the growth outlook elsewhere and more high-level Sino-U.S. talks are not expected until next month. Traders were kept somewhat on edge with data over the weekend showing China’s exports unexpectedly contracted in August, and last week’s U.S. employment report weaker than many forecast.
“There has been a tremendous rally in bonds and the central banks are the key determinant of what’s going to happen with the rates market,” Frances Hudson, global thematic strategist for multi-asset investing at Aberdeen Standard Investments, told Bloomberg TV. “With equities there is still an element of self-determination.”
Elsewhere, oil extended gains after Saudi Arabia ousted its energy minister before an OPEC+ committee that monitors compliance with output cuts meets this week in Abu Dhabi. The pound steadied as Boris Johnson held fast to his Brexit plan, despite the latest defection from his political party.
Here are some key events coming up this week:
- The U.K. Parliament may be suspended as soon as Monday, and a bill blocking a no-deal Brexit could become law.
- OPEC’s monthly oil market report, which includes demand forecasts and production estimates, is due Wednesday.
- The ECB policy meeting Thursday is widely expected to see a cut to interest rates and a review of all options, including QE. Policy makers will also publish forecasts for growth and inflation. ECB President Mario Draghi will hold a press conference.
Stocks
- The Stoxx Europe 600 Index declined 0.1% as of 9:33 a.m. London time.
- Futures on the S&P 500 Index rose 0.2%.
- The U.K.’s FTSE 100 Index was little changed.
- The MSCI Emerging Market Index climbed 0.2%.
- The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was little changed.
- The euro rose 0.1% to $1.1035.
- The British pound edged up 0.1% to $1.2297.
- The Japanese yen was little changed.
- The yield on 10-year Treasuries increased three basis points to 1.59%.
- Britain’s 10-year yield gained four basis points to 0.542%.
- Germany’s 10-year yield rose four basis points to -0.60%.
- West Texas Intermediate crude advanced 0.4% to $56.76 a barrel.
- The Bloomberg Commodity Index increased 0.1%.