Opening Bell: U.S. Futures Waver As European Stocks Extend Rally; Oil Slides

 | Nov 17, 2021 23:38

  • Reflation trade reverses
  • Gold continues to rally
  • Bitcoin slumps further
  • h2 Key Events/h2

    US futures on the Dow, S&P, NASDAQ and Russell 2000 were trading mixed on Wednesday ahead of the US session open while European stocks continued to post records.

    Yields declined slightly.

    h2 Global Financial Affairs/h2

    US contracts wavered with NASDAQ 100 futures outperforming while contracts on the Russell 2000 were slightly in the red, illustrating a reversal of the reflation trade. The same pattern was visible yesterday with US futures trading in negative territory before the open while European stocks continued carving out new highs and then all four US indices rallied during the New York session to close in the green.

    The STOXX 600 Index advanced to a sixth consecutive record as positive earnings offset worries about continued inflation, illustrated by surging natural gas prices. Market chatter also pointed to Wall Street's rally on Tuesday due to better than anticipated US retail sales data.

    The tech sector helped the NASDAQ to outperform on Tuesday. That same tech outperformance is also evident in Europe today.

    Siemens Healthineers (DE:SHLG), a German medical tech company, opened 1% higher and extended its advance to 4.3%, after it raised its earnings expectations. The company cited its recent takeover of US radiation oncology treatment and software maker, Varian and potential synergies of more than €350 million by 2025 as one of the drivers of the improved performance outlook.