Stock Futures Rise as the ECB Gains Attention – Asia Market Wrap
European and US market futures rose alongside Asian shares as traders anticipated the ECB’s rate announcement.
Contracts for the Euro Stoxx 50 increased 0.2%, while S&P 500 contracts advanced 0.4%. The swings mirrored a minor increase in Asian share markets, which lifted a regional indicator by about 0.1%. However, liquidity was limited in the region, with several of the largest stock markets closed for the Lunar New Year vacation.
According to an Asia-based FX trader, the Yen gained up to 0.6% against the Dollar as fast money traders placed wagers on the currency. Shares in Japan rose. However, Himino’s initial statements appeared to strike a cautious tone, with the central banker stating that the BOJ would hike rates “if the outlook is realised.”
Shifting AI bets dominated the week in global markets, following a selloff spurred by news that Chinese AI startup DeepSeek had made significantly more progress than expected on its own model.