GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian stocks advance in commodities-inspired rally

© Reuters.

(Updates prices, adds comments)
* Asian stock markets: https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4
* Crude oil, metal prices rise on growth outlook
* Expectations of faster growth spur inflation fears
* European futures indicate strong market open

By Anshuman Daga
SINGAPORE, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Asian shares rebounded from
two-week lows on Tuesday as rising commodity prices boosted
market expectations of an improved growth outlook, a day after
rising U.S. Treasury yields and inflation prospects hit U.S.
tech shares.
Europe's Eurostoxx 50 futures STXEc1 and Germany's DAX
futures FDXc1 both gained 0.2%, while futures for London's FTSE
FFIc1 rose 0.3%. E-mini futures for the S&P 500 ESc1 advanced
0.5%.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan
.MIAPJ0000PUS advanced 0.4% to 726.6 after dipping to 719.8,
the lowest level in two weeks. The gauge has eased from last
week's record top but is still up about 9% so far this year.
Buoyed by the rally in commodities, the Australian S&P/ASX
200 index to .AXJO rose nearly 0.9%. Singapore's Straits Times
index .STI put on 0.6% and Taiwan .TWII was up 0.2%. Hong
Kong .HSI advanced 1%, while the tech-laden South Korea's
Kospi .KS11 lost 0.3%.
Japanese markets were closed for a public holiday.
"We are in unprecedented times, but the likelihood is that
low interest rates will persist long after the world economy has
shaken off the pandemic," Keith Wade, chief strategist at
Schroders said in a note.
"For financial markets, such an outlook will intensify the
search for yield and no doubt create volatility and bubbles as
investors chase returns in "the zero" environment, Wade added.
On Wall Street, high-growth stocks such as Apple AAPL.O ,
Microsoft MSFT.O and Tesla TSLA.O weighed on the Nasdaq
Composite .IXIC , which shed 2.5% on Monday.
Commodity prices again strengthened on Tuesday. Oil prices
rose on a tight global supply outlook after U.S. production was
hammered by frigid weather and an approaching meeting of top
crude producers is expected to keep output largely in check.
Analysts said markets were taking a cue from stronger
commodity prices that the rise implied strong economic activity.
Brent crude LCOc1 was up 1.1% to $66.4, holding firm near
one-year highs. Spot gold XAU= also rose to a one-week high to
$1,812.6 an ounce as inflation worries boosted the bullion's
appeal as a hedge.
The strength in commodities kept the Australian dollar
AUD=D3 steady at $0.79 against the U.S. dollar, just near a
three-year high.
Bond yields have risen sharply this month as prospects of
more U.S. fiscal stimulus boosted hopes for a faster economic
recovery globally. However that is also fuelling inflation
worries, prompting investors to sell growth stocks that have
rallied in recent months.
"Real U.S. interest rates are now in positive territory,
which has created some concern around the consequences for
equities markets," Cesar Perez Ruiz, chief investment officer at
Pictet Wealth Management said in a report.
The dollar index =USD was steady at 90.026, with the euro
EUR= up 0.1% at $1.2166. The Japanese yen JPY= edged up
versus the greenback to 105.09 per dollar.
Cash Treasuries were not traded in Asia with Tokyo shut for
holidays, but futures firmed slightly and showed an implied
ten-year Treasury yield of 1.34% TNc1 .
Markets will turn their focus to Federal Reserve Chair
Jerome Powell who is delivering his semi-annual testimony on
Tuesday. Powell is likely to reiterate a commitment to keeping
policy super easy for as long as needed to drive inflation
higher, analysts said. "In addition to the ever-present question of what it may
take for the Fed to consider tapering, the most pressing
investor interest is at what point the Fed could respond to the
level or volatility of interest rates after the recent
increases," foreign exchange strategist at Citi said in a note.

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