By Geoffrey Smith
Investing.com -- U.S. inflation is set to hit its highest level in 40 years in March, raising the pressure on the Federal Reserve to tighten monetary policy. China's government head calls for accelerated stimulus to cushion the impact of spreading Covid lockdowns. German economic sentiment darkens as Europe braces for a fresh Russian onslaught in Ukraine, and OPEC and the U.S. government both publish regular updates on the state of the oil market. Sony (NYSE:SONY) throws money at videogames publisher Epic, and CarMax (NYSE:KMX) reports earnings. Here's what you need to know in financial markets on Tuesday, 12th April
1. Inflation set to hit new 40-year high
U.S. inflation is set to hit another 40-year high later, as surging energy prices, disrupted supply chains and a tight labor market combine to form a powerful cocktail. The benchmark 10-Year Treasury yield hit a new three-year high of 2.80% overnight in anticipation.
Analysts expect the headline annual rate of inflation to hit 8.4%, from 7.9% in February. The core rate is expected to rise to 6.6% from 6.4%. Base effects mean that this could be the month that the annual rate peaks. For that reason, it will be important to keep an eye on the month-on-month rates to judge the strength of current price dynamics.
Lael Brainard, Joe Biden’s nominee for the vice-chair position at the Federal Reserve, will speak at 12:10 PM ET (1610 GMT), while Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin will give his two cents’ worth at 5:30 PM ET.
2. Chinese Premier calls for stimulus to cushion Covid blow
China’s Prime Minister Li Keqiang issued his third warning about the growth outlook in less than a week and called for planned stimulus measures to be accelerated.
Authorities should “add a sense of urgency” when implementing existing policies, Bloomberg reported Li as saying.
There’s still no end in sight to the lockdowns that are affecting Shanghai, China’s biggest financial hub and a major manufacturing sector of 25 million people. The EU Chamber of Commerce estimates that half of its German members’ supply chains are either “completely” or “severely” disrupted as a result of lockdowns that – according to Nomura economists – now cover nearly 400 million people in varying degrees of severity.
3. Stocks set to open mixed; CarMax, Sony in focus
U.S. stocks are expected to open mixed later, with traders loath to take many risks in premarket ahead of the CPI numbers at 8:30 AM ET.
By 6:15 AM ET, Dow Jones futures were down 14 points, or less than 0.1%, while S&P 500 futures were up by less than 0.1% and Nasdaq 100 futures were up 0.2%. The Nasdaq had underperformed again on Monday, falling over 2% as fears about rising interest rates again strained the valuation models underpinning many technology stocks.
Stocks likely to be in focus later include CarMax, whose quarterly earnings come at a time when the market for used cars is starting to show signs of softening, and Etsy (NASDAQ:ETSY), which is facing a sellers’ strike after it said it wanted to raise its fees.
Sony (NYSE:SONY) ADRs and videogames makers may also get attention after the Japanese company invested in Fortnite publisher Epic Games at a valuation of nearly $32 billion.
4. European data worsen as Ukraine braces for Russian attack
The economic data in Europe continues to worsen against the backdrop of a war that shows no sign of ending, and every sign of intensifying in the near future.
The German ZEW Economic Sentiment index fell again to its lowest since March 2020, with the think-tank warning that the prospect of stagflation over the next six months “remains real”. German consumer inflation was confirmed at 7.3% in March.
In the U.K. meanwhile, the monthly drop in those claiming unemployment benefits was the smallest in six months, while employment in the three months through March grew only 10,000, well below forecasts.
Emerging markets continued to throw up more dramatic economic news, however, with Sri Lanka declaring a halt to foreign debt payments.
5. Oil rebounds ahead of OPEC and EIA reports; API inventories due
Crude oil prices bounced back from their recent China-driven selloff, with Brent crude trading back above $101 a barrel and U.S. crude futures rising 3.3% to $97.34 a barrel.
There’s no sign of relief coming from the war in Ukraine, where the government has warned it expects a fresh Russian onslaught in the east of the country. Austria’s Chancellor Karl Nehammer said he had “no positive impression” for peace after meeting with Russia’s Vladimir Putin on Monday.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries will update its forecasts for global supply and demand in its monthly report later, while the U.S. will release its Short-Term Energy Outlook at 12 PM ET.
The American Petroleum Institute will release its weekly assessment of U.S. crude and product stocks at 4:30 PM as usual.