By JustForex
The mood of investors and analysts changes almost every day. Yesterday, US stock indexes saw a new massive sell-off as gloomy consumer confidence data once again dampened investor optimism and heightened fears that the Federal Reserve’s aggressive fight against inflation will lead to a recession in the economy. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index fell to its lowest level since February 2021, and short-term expectations reached their most pessimistic level in nearly a decade.
As the stock market closed yesterday, the Dow Jones Index (US30) decreased by 1.56%, and the S&P 500 Index (US500) lost 2.01%. The Technology Index NASDAQ (US100) fell by 2.98%. At the end of the day, all three indices were down.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams told CNBC on Tuesday that interest rates should “definitely” be between 3% and 3.5% by the end of the year, but he does not expect a recession in the United States.
Stock markets in Europe traded higher yesterday. Germany’s DAX (DE30) increased by 0.35%, France’s CAC 40 (FR40) jumped by 0.64%, Spain’s IBEX 35 (ES35) added 0.91%, and the British FTSE 100 (UK100) closed Tuesday in plus 0.90%.
The ECB is expected to follow its colleagues from the Fed and raise interest rates in July to try to curb skyrocketing inflation. However, economists disagree on the extent of any rate hike. For now, a 0.25% move is being considered, but if Friday’s Eurozone inflation data show a new acceleration in inflation, policymakers may reconsider their decision to 0.5%.
Free Reports:
Sign Up for Our Stock Market Newsletter – Get updated on News, Charts & Rankings of Public Companies when you join our Stocks Newsletter
Get our Weekly Commitment of Traders Reports - See where the biggest traders (Hedge Funds and Commercial Hedgers) are positioned in the futures markets on a weekly basis.
Today at the monetary policy forum in Portugal, there will be the final speech of the heads of the central banks of the US, the ECB, and the UK. Investors and traders should pay attention to this performance.
Crude oil prices jumped another 2% on Tuesday as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates indicated they are near maximum production levels.
On the other hand, the leaders of the G7 countries reached an agreement to impose a price cap on Russian oil.
Lithuania has officially banned imports of Russian gas. The Seimas of the republic has adopted the appropriate amendments to the law on natural gas.
Gold futures fell in price yesterday. Gold and silver are inversely correlated to the dollar index and government bond yields. When the dollar rises, gold and silver tend to fall. And while the US Federal Reserve tightens monetary policy, there is no fundamental reason for increasing precious metal prices.
Asian markets were trading higher on Tuesday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 (JP225) gained 0.66% yesterday, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (HK50) added 0.85% on the day, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 (AU200) was up 0.86%.
The head of the Bank of Japan said today that the Japanese economy had not suffered much from the global inflation trend so monetary policy will remain soft.
The Chinese yuan rose after China eased the quarantine related to the COVID-19 pandemic for international travelers. It also became known that China will cut retail prices on gasoline and diesel starting on Wednesday.
S&P 500 (F) (US500) 3,821.55 −78.56 (−2.01%)
Dow Jones (US30) 30,946.99 −491.27 (−1.56%)
DAX (DE40) 13,231.82 +45.75 (+0.35%)
FTSE 100 (UK100) 7,323.41 +65.09 (+0.90%)
USD Index 104.48 +0.54 (+0.52%)
- – Japan Retail Sales (m/m) at 02:50 (GMT+3);
- – Australia Retail Sales (m/m) at 04:30 (GMT+3);
- – Eurozone Spanish Consumer Price Index (m/m) at 10:00 (GMT+3);
- – US FOMC Member Mester Speaks (m/m) at 13:30 (GMT+3);
- – Eurozone German Consumer Price Index (m/m) at 15:00 (GMT+3);
- – US GDP (q/q) at 15:30 (GMT+3);
- – US Fed Chair Powell Speaks (m/m) at 16:00 (GMT+3);
- – Eurozone ECB President Lagarde Speaks (m/m) at 16:00 (GMT+3);
- – UK BoE Gov Bailey Speaks (m/m) at 16:00 (GMT+3);
- – US FOMC Bullard Speaks (m/m) at 20:05 (GMT+3).
By JustForex
This article reflects a personal opinion and should not be interpreted as an investment advice, and/or offer, and/or a persistent request for carrying out financial transactions, and/or a guarantee, and/or a forecast of future events.

- COT Metals Charts: Speculator Bets led by Silver, Gold & Platinum Mar 7, 2026
- COT Bonds Charts: Speculator Bets led by 10-Year Bonds & Fed Funds Mar 7, 2026
- COT Energy Charts: Speculator Bets led by Brent Oil & Heating Oil Mar 7, 2026
- COT Soft Commodities Charts: Speculator Bets led by Corn & Soybean Meal Mar 7, 2026
- Investors run to safe-haven assets amid Middle East escalation Mar 6, 2026
- EUR/USD Under Pressure: Middle East Risks Outweigh All Else Mar 6, 2026
- Bitcoin shows resilience to Middle East events. Oil market stabilizes Mar 5, 2026
- GBP/USD: Market Not Expecting BoE Rate Cut in March Mar 5, 2026
- Brent headed for $100? Mar 4, 2026
- Global stock indices continue sell-off due to Middle East conflict Mar 4, 2026