BOJ purchases ETFs for the first time this month amid market rout 0 (0)

The BOJ last bought ETFs on 28 January and held off buying more until today
That said, they still hold a commitment to buy roughly ¥6 trillion worth of ETFs at an annual average pace so that is something to consider unless communicated otherwise. I mean, what better timing to buy more when the market is down.

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Japan PM Suga: We will end state of emergency in six prefectures at the end of this month 0 (0)

Comments by Japan prime minister, Yoshihide Suga
This confirms earlier reports and will apply to the prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Aichi, Gifu, and Fukuoka. Meanwhile, Suga says that they plan to end all state of emergency measures by 7 March – this will apply to Tokyo.

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Nasdaq futures down 1% as yields continue to extend higher on the session 0 (0)

US 10-year yields up 9 bps to 1.465% currently
That is pushing Nasdaq futures to fresh lows on the day, down 1% as the rotation out of tech starts to border on the line of risk aversion flows in the market now. Dow futures have also turned flat with European indices falling into the red as

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Japan reportedly to end state of emergency in five prefectures at the end of the month 0 (0)

Kyodo News reports on the matter
This will apply to the prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Aichi, and Gifu – most of which were already anticipated since last week. Tokyo will likely have to wait until 7 March before its state of emergency is lifted but there’s still some debate on that before a formal decision

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US MBA mortgage applications w.e. 19 February -11.4% vs -5.1% prior 0 (0)

Latest data from the Mortgage Bankers Association for the week ending 19 February 2021
–  -5.1%
– Market index 790.6 vs 892.6 prior
– Refinancing index 3,848.1 vs 4,337.0 prior
It looks like the housing market is not taking too kindly to the higher rates as both purchases and refinancing activity took a heavy dip in the past week. After

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Fedspeak on tap for North American trading later today 0 (0)

We’ll be hearing from a couple of Fed policymakers today with Powell set to testify in Congress for a second day
Here’s the agenda:
1500 GMT – Fed chair Powell testifies before the House select committee
I wouldn’t expect anything new from Powell that we haven’t already heard of yesterday. But again, it will serve as a reminder

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