Global risk sentiment looks fluid these days as investors monitor geopolitical headlines closely. Developments surrounding Ukraine keep setting the tone for equity markets, currencies, oil prices, and even cryptocurrencies. After an early dip, risk trades bounced ahead of the North American trading session on Friday amid reports that Putin sees specific positive shifts in talks with Ukraine. There are no further details at the moment on Putin's upbeat remarks.
Still, stocks erased previous losses while safe-havens came under some pressure on the latest remarks from Russia, suggesting the markets remain very sensitive to any signal from this front. As such, European equity markets extended gains while US stock index futures turned positive in recent trading, with contracts for the tech-heavy NASDAQ jumping 1.5%.
The index fell nearly 1% on Thursday after talks between Russia and Ukraine failed to bring significant progress, and new data showed US inflation reached a four-decade high. In Europe, the Stoxx Europe 600 added nearly 2%, finishing the week in the green territory. The stock market in Russia remained closed Friday.
However, the risk tone could deteriorate later today as Biden is expected to announce that the US will call for revoking Russia's most favored nation status. In this scenario, rising global tensions would bring back demand for safe-havens, including the US dollar and gold. The USD index came off intraday highs around 98.80 while still staying in the positive territory on the daily charts.
The downside potential surrounding the greenback looks limited at this stage, with the 100.00 figure staying in the market focus. As a reminder, the buck advanced to fresh, nearly two-year highs around 99.40 before correcting lower amid profit-taking.