In yesterday's session, weaker-than-expected retail sales in December combined with expected lower consumption due to harsh winter conditions, reinforced expectations of interest rate cuts during the year, with the first one occurring in June. Today key employment data will be released which should add further clarity on the interest-rate path.
As a consequence, Government bond yields fell, especially in the US. Global stocks edged lower, except for the Japanese Nikkei-225, that continued its rally after the Liberal Democratic Party obtained the supermajority in the lower house on Sunday.
In currency markets, the yen strengthened on increasing expectations that the BoJ will raise its policy rate in its April meeting. In commodities markets, oil prices were little moved as investors waited for developments on the US-Iran talks. Natural gas prices continued to fall on milder weather forecasts in Europe.
BANCO BPI, S.A., com sede na Avenida da Boavista, 1117, 4100-129 Porto; Capital Social: € 1 293 063 324,98; matriculada na CRC Porto sob o número de matrícula PTIRNMJ 501 214 534, como o número de identificação fiscal 501 214 534. Intermediário financeiro registado na CMVM com o n° 300 e no Banco de Portugal sob o código n° 10. Agente de Seguros n.º 419527591, registado junto da Autoridade de Supervisão de Seguros e Fundos de Pensões em 21/01/2019, e autorizado a exercer atividade nos Ramos de Seguro Vida e Não Vida.