Opening Bell: Investors Flip-Flop On Risk; Futures, Stocks Climb; Oil Advances

 | Aug 24, 2021 07:00AM ET

  • Ferocious tech rebound in China fuels risk appetite globally
  • Bitcoin falls back below $50,000
  • Oil gains increase
  • h2 Key Events/h2

    Technology shares in China rallied strongly on Tuesday as risk investors returned to the market. The positive sentiment saw US futures on the Dow, S&P, NASDAQ and Russell 2000 benefit, all trading in the green ahead of the US session open. 

    Gold and the dollar remain steady as investors await policy clues from the Federal Reserve's Jackson Hole symposium later in the week. 

    Global Financial Affairs/h2

    NASDAQ 100 futures are outperforming, after the underlying benchmark notched another Wall Street record on Monday.

    Europe's STOXX 600 Index climbed at the open with tech shares, but cyclical stocks also gained. Raw materials were boosted by the rally in the price of oil.

    Even after last week’s selloff, European shares are nearing a record on the outlook that central banks will continue their unparalleled stimulus programs, after mixed economic data—European PMIs were strong but comments by Dallas FOMC member, Robert Kaplan on Friday implied that the current spread of COVID-19 cases in the US could lead the Fed to delay plans to start reducing its bond purchases. 

    This week so far there has been a strong global rally as investors buy the dip caused by last week’s selloff. However, there has been no change in the the fundamentals and the coronavirus continues to disrupt the economic recovery with some countries extending social restrictions.

    The rebound in China shares was also driven solely by the fact that last week's slide offered perceived value. There is no indication that recent regulations would be lifted. Despite this, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Tech Index jumped over 7%.

    Meanwhile, investors are eagerly anticipating news from Jackson Hole. The market narrative seems to be that Fed Chair Jerome Powell will reiterate caution, disappointing those who expected any scaling back of the Fed’s bond purchases.

    Yields on the 10-year Treasury note were little changed, as Treasury investors sought direction.