S&P 500 — US Large Cap Index
FTSE 100 — UK Blue Chips
Euro Stoxx 50 — Eurozone Leaders
DAX 40 — German Equities
CAC 40 — French Market Index
Nikkei 225 — Japan Benchmark
Hang Seng — Hong Kong Index
Shanghai Composite — China Mainland
ASX 200 — Australian Market
TSX Composite — Canada Index
Nifty 50 — India Large Cap
STI Index — Singapore Market
KOSPI — South Korea Index
Bovespa — Brazil Equities
JSE Top 40 — South Africa Index
IPC Index — Mexico MarketThe New Zealand dollar fell to around $0.601 on Wednesday but remained near a six-month high, amid expectations of tighter monetary policy. Data last week showed fourth-quarter consumer inflation rose more than expected and was above the Reserve Bank’s target range, reinforcing the view that interest rates may need to move higher later this year. Governor Anna Breman also refrained from pushing back against bets of a rate increase this year, a shift from her earlier tone, when she had downplayed the likelihood of a near-term hike. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said the inflation data was a “blip,” but acknowledged that the central bank would eventually need to begin raising interest rates. The RBNZ is expected to keep rates unchanged at its February meeting, though markets are pricing in a high probability of a hike by September, with roughly a 50% chance of a move as early as July. Externally, the kiwi also benefited from a weaker US dollar.
