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Feb 20 (Reuters) - Global equity funds received their strongest inflows in five weeks in the seven days to February 18, as easing concerns over ‌artificial intelligence stocks and investor rotation into other sectors supported demand, while ‌renewed hopes for Federal Reserve rate cuts lifted sentiment toward U.S. growth. Investors poured $36.33 billion into global equity ​funds during the week, marking the strongest weekly inflow since January 14, LSEG Lipper data showed. U.S. consumer price data relea ...

Feb 20 (Reuters) - U.S. equity funds saw a substantial inflow of capital in the week to ‌February 18 on easing worries over a selloff ‌in the technology sector after a cooler consumer price inflation report ​boosted expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts. According to LSEG Lipper data, investors racked up a net $11.77 billion worth of U.S. equity funds, registering their largest net purchase for ‌a week since ⁠January 14. "We maintain an attractive view on the overall U.S. equity market, but investo ...

Core Insights - CD rates are currently higher than historical averages, with the best rates reaching 4% APY, particularly from online banks [2][3] - The Federal Reserve has been cutting its target rate, leading to a decline in CD rates since last year, with predictions of further cuts in 2026 [2][4] Group 1: Current CD Rates - The highest CD rate available today is 4% APY, offered by Marcus by Goldman Sachs for its 1-year CD [2] - Several financial institutions are providing competitive rates of 4% APY and above, especially among online banks [2] Group 2: Federal Reserve Impact - The Federal Reserve has decreased the federal funds rate three times in late 2024 by a total of one percentage point, impacting CD rates indirectly [3][5] - As the Fed lowers its rates, financial institutions typically adjust their deposit interest rates accordingly, leading to a potential decline in CD rates [5] Group 3: Opening a CD - The process for opening a CD account includes researching competitive rates, choosing an account that meets financial needs, and preparing necessary documents [6] - Applicants can often complete the application online, and funding the account can be done through transfers or checks [6]

Bloomberg Treasuries edged lower, suggesting a recent rally is running out of steam as investors weigh whether the economy is weakening enough to justify deeper Federal Reserve rate cuts. Benchmark 10-year yields closed one basis point higher at 4.06%, while the policy-sensitive two-year yield climbed three basis points to 3.43%. Most Read from Bloomberg On Tuesday, a reading of private payrolls did little to change the view that the US labor market remains stable. Traders are fully pricing in two qua ...

Group 1 - Gold prices advanced as traders increased bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts following a mild inflation reading, with some investors capitalizing on a recent selloff to purchase gold at lower prices [1][2] - The yield on 10-year Treasury bonds decreased, with swap traders estimating around 50% probability of a third rate cut by December, contributing to a rise in gold prices by as much as 2.5% [2] - The market remains volatile after significant liquidation in precious metals, but recent movements indicate that the correction may have overshot, leading to support from bargain-hunting and position adjustments [3] Group 2 - Gold reached a record high above $5,595 in late January due to speculative buying, but experienced a rapid decline below $5,000 an ounce by the end of the month; despite this volatility, gold is expected to finish the week higher [6] - Chinese markets are closed for the Lunar New Year holiday, which may lead to a consolidation phase in precious metals as Chinese market participants, who contributed to recent volatility, are absent [7] - Spot gold and silver prices have increased, while platinum and palladium also saw gains; the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index remained relatively unchanged [7]

Core Viewpoint - A recent inflation report, which is dovish, has not led to a stock market rally despite a solid labor market assessment that could allow for deeper Federal Reserve rate cuts [1] Group 1: Economic Indicators - The inflation report was muted, suggesting a stable economic environment that typically supports stock market growth [1] - The labor market assessment was surprisingly solid, indicating potential for further Federal Reserve rate cuts [1] Group 2: Market Reactions - Despite the favorable economic indicators, the stock market has not responded positively, particularly in the context of a slump in AI-related stocks [1]

Core Viewpoint - A recent dovish inflation report, combined with a strong labor market assessment, typically creates a favorable environment for stock market rallies, yet stocks have not responded positively due to ongoing concerns in the AI sector [1] Group 1: Economic Indicators - The inflation report was muted, suggesting lower inflation pressures, which would generally support stock prices [1] - The labor market assessment was surprisingly solid, indicating potential for deeper Federal Reserve rate cuts, which could further stimulate the economy [1] Group 2: Market Reactions - Despite the positive economic indicators, the stock market has not rallied, primarily due to a slump in the AI sector, which has overshadowed the favorable data [1]

Currency Market Overview - The yen has gained nearly 3% for the week, marking its largest advance since November 2024, currently steady at 152.86 per dollar [1][10] - The yen is poised for a 2.3% weekly jump against the euro and approximately 2.8% against the British pound, indicating strong performance [10] Political Impact - The election of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is seen as a potential end to political instability, leading to unwinding of short-yen positions [1][10] - Takaichi's administration is expected to be a responsible steward of fiscal policy, which has boosted confidence in Japanese government bonds (JGBs) and reduced yen-volatility risk [4][10] Broader Market Context - Other currencies are mostly rangebound ahead of U.S. inflation data, with the euro at $1.1869 and sterling at $1.3618 [5][10] - The U.S. dollar is set to fall close to 0.8% for the week, influenced by strength in other currencies and doubts about the U.S. economy's robustness [6][10] Employment Data Insights - Recent U.S. job growth data showed unexpected acceleration, but the overall breadth of job creation remains narrow, with significant contributions from healthcare, social assistance, and construction [8][10] - Traders are pricing in approximately two Federal Reserve rate cuts this year, with the first anticipated in June [8][10]

Core Insights - CD rates are currently higher than historical averages, with the best rates reaching 4% APY, particularly from online banks [2][3] - The Federal Reserve has been cutting its target rate, leading to a decline in CD rates since last year, with predictions of further cuts in 2026 [2][4] Group 1: Current CD Rates - The highest CD rate available today is 4% APY, offered by Marcus by Goldman Sachs for its 1-year CD [2] - Several financial institutions are providing competitive rates of 4% APY and above, especially among online banks [2] Group 2: Federal Reserve Actions - The Federal Reserve has cut its target rate three times in late 2024 by a total of one percentage point due to slowing inflation and an improved economic outlook [3] - Additional rate cuts are anticipated in 2026, although the timing and extent remain uncertain [4] Group 3: Impact on CD Rates - There is a correlation between the federal funds rate and deposit interest rates; as the Fed lowers rates, CD rates typically follow suit [5] - With the recent rate cuts by the Fed, CD rates are beginning to decline again, suggesting that now may be an opportune time to invest in CDs to lock in current rates [5] Group 4: Opening a CD - The process for opening a CD account includes researching competitive rates, choosing an appropriate account, preparing necessary documents, completing the application, and funding the account [6] - It is important to consider factors such as term length and minimum deposit requirements to avoid penalties for early withdrawal [6]