Risk sentiment returns to the markets. After being gripped by the uncertainty surrounding the new virus strain for the past couple of weeks, the markets finally breathed a sigh of relief.
US chief infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci recently told CNN that so far the Omicron strain does not pose a serious threat to the population. However, analysts at ING, the largest banking group in the Netherlands, still urge investors to stay alert: "Although the markets are already tired of the news about Omicron, this does not reduce the danger of a new strain for both the population and the global economy."
Fauci's encouraging announcement brought risk sentiment back to the markets. As a result, global stock indicators jumped sharply on Tuesday as traders shifted their attention from safe-haven currencies and bonds to riskier assets. Thus, the demand for the shares of companies that are directly or indirectly related to the tourism sector began to rise again. At the same time, pharmaceutical companies involved in the production of vaccines have faced some selling today.
The shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (up 9.51%), Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (up 8.2%), American Airlines Group (up 7.9%), and others were on the rise today. Meanwhile, Pfizer (down 5.1%), Moderna (down 13.5%), BioNTech (down 18.7%), and AstraZeneca (down 1.67%) went into negative territory.
For the first time since February, the FTSEurofirst 300 index had added almost 1% by the time the article was published. European stocks were also gaining ground, with Germany's DAX trading higher by 2.10%, France's CAC 40 rising by 2.35%, and Britain's FTSE 100 adding 1.19%. The US dollar was growing against the Japanese yen, and even the Australian dollar was in high demand. This market recovery was possible thanks to Dr. Fauci and his positive statement.
Also on Monday, China's central bank was reported to make another attempt to stimulate its economy first time since July. The Chinese regulator is going to fulfill its plan by reducing the amount of cash held in bank reserves.
Diversified Chinese investment holding Evergrande is currently on the brink of a crisis, thus maintaining uncertainty in the real estate sector in China. However, based on the strong imports data of China's largest real estate operator, there is strong domestic demand in the country today. Evergrande shares jumped by 1.7% from yesterday's record low.
Australia's S&P/ASX200 was up by 0.95% today, while Japan's Nikkei increased by 2.1%. The main Asian index MSCI (excluding Japan) was down by about 5% this year. Hong Kong markets are showing the biggest losses, while India and Taiwan stocks look more profitable.
The US stock indices were also showing rapid growth at the beginning of the trading session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 1.23%. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index climbed by 1.79%, and the Nasdaq Composite jumped by 2.45%.
