U.S. equities opened marginally lowerU.S. equities opened marginally lower before reclaiming the green, after trimming some overnight losses with European bourses beset by the latest round of Italian anti-EU sentiment, which drove Italian benchmark yields to 3.44% highs--the highest level since the post-election crisis. That weighed on banking shares in the region. European equities traded some 0.3-0.7% lower on the majors, though the Italian MIB was left only marginally lower. Chinese markets were closed, though the HK Hang Seng tumbled 2.3% after the USMCA trade deal put pressure on China on the trade front. The offshore yuan weakened near 2-month lows of 6.9046 before rebounding to 6.88, indicative of strains in the region. U.S. financials are starting out underwater, while energy sector shares have been supported by crude oil gains through $75 bbl. GE rebounded 2% after replacing its CEO with Larry Culp yesterday. Auto sector stocks have been idling into monthly vehicle sales data, which will trickle out over the course of the session. Focus will turn to the first of two Fed Powell speeches due this week; he will speak before the NABE at 12:45 ET. |