Shanghai was the talk between many dealers again this morning after we saw heavy morning selling accompanied by afternoon selling, resulting in a 6.4% decline in the index. Financials were one of the leaders as the FX Yuan mid-point rate was set lower at 6.5273 to the dollar on Tuesday and on Thursday at 6.5318. Uncertainty around global growth continues to nerve markets and after todays fall the Shanghai Index is down over 22% for the year. The Hang Seng was also under pressure but not to the same magnitude as Shanghai, losing 1.6% on the day. The Nikkei actually bucked the trend recording a 244 point rally (1.4%) reclaiming the 16k level. Talk is the BOJ may look to direct asset purchasing as the next step as NIRP is debated. Late in the US trading session we are seeing Asian futures bouncing from previous loses with HSI and China 300 both higher by 1% from their cash close.

Given the Asian mood one could have been forgiven if hey expected a lower European opening. However, the mood was surprisingly upbeat and core markets opened strong. UK was lifted with a stronger Q4 GDP print (0.5% est was 0.4%) resulting in a 2.5% rally in FTSE. Lloyds reported a 5% better than expected full year numbers. The DAX, CAC and IBEX all closed between 1.5 and 2.5% higher on the day.

Better than expected Durable Goods (4.9% estimates were for 2.5%) set the mood for the US and we did not look back from there. Late in the afternoon session we saw a healthy 3% bounce in the price of oil which certainly helped confidence into the last hour of trading. DOW, S+P and NASDAQ all close around 1% higher on the day.

Gold and Silver have traded in a narrow range today but the bid remains, for now! Closing on the day almost unchanged at $1234 with Silver falling -0.8%. US Treasuries are well bid with 10’s touching the 1.7% again. The belly of the curve (5’s and 10’s) performed rallying 4.5BP whilst 2’s and Bonds rallied 2BP. Germany saw 10’s close 0.14% closing the spread TY/RX at +156BP. Italy 10’s closed 1.51% (-2BP), Greece 10.24% (-5BP), Turkey 10.46% (-8BP) and UK Gilts closed 1.36% (+1BP).