GLOBAL MARKETS-Global equities edge up as rising bond yield fears ease

* Reuters Live Markets blog: LIVE/
* Graphic: Global asset performance http://tmsnrt.rs/2yaDPgn
* Graphic: World FX rates http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh

By Herbert Lash
NEW YORK, Feb 24 (Reuters) - A gauge of global equity
markets edged up as U.S. Treasury yields jumped on Wednesday on
fears a robust recovery will drive inflation higher, but
reassurances from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to the
contrary calmed market jitters.
Sales of new U.S. single-family homes increased more than
expected in January as the median sale price rose 5.3%
year-over-year, the latest data point to show certain consumer
prices rising faster than expected. Crude oil rose to fresh 13-month highs while gold prices
fell, as surging Treasury yields and a firmer dollar dented
demand for the safe-haven metal.
MSCI's all-country world index .MIWD00000PUS , a gauge of
equity markets in 49 countries, added 0.07%, as rising stocks on
Wall Street pushed the global benchmark to reverse losses.
The rapid roll-out of vaccines, such as news that Johnson &
Johnson's JNJ.N one-shot vaccine appeared safe and effective,
is boosting economic optimism but also inflation concerns, said
Patrick Leary, chief market strategist and senior trader at
Incapital in Minneapolis.
"If you look at commodity prices, you look at real estate
prices and you look at energy prices, they're up significantly
higher than even pre-pandemic levels," he said.
While rising rates give stock investors pause, the Fed is
"pretty comfortable" with rising yields as they take some of the
froth out of the financial system, Leary said.
The 10-year U.S. Treasury US10YT=RR note yield rose 0.8
basis points to 1.3739% after hitting 1.435% earlier. The
benchmark Treasury yield traded at 0.912% at the end of 2020.
The slipping of 10-year Treasury yields below the 1.4% mark
helped equity market rebound from early losses and push higher.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI rose 0.92%, the S&P
500 .SPX gained 0.79% and the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC added
0.61%.
Europe's broad FTSEurofirst 300 index .FTEU3 closed up
0.4% at 1,590.09 after earlier trading lower on inflation fears.
A sharp rise in real bond yields in line with those seen
during previous "bond tantrum episodes" would reduce the upside
potential for European equities, BofA Global Research said.
Sectors set to benefit from a stronger economy were
supported by German GDP data, as exports and solid construction
activity helped Europe's biggest economy to grow by a
better-than-expected 0.3% in the fourth quarter. Germany's DAX .GDAXI rose 0.8%.
Falling tech stocks, which are sensitive to rising yields,
pulled Asian markets lower overnight.
Bitcoin recovered somewhat, up 3.3% at around $50,481.
BTC=BTSP . Investors have generally been upbeat about the prospect of
vaccine rollouts, lockdowns ending and economies re-opening.
The dollar index =USD rose 0.083%, with the euro EUR=
down 0.05% to $1.2143. The Japanese yen JPY= weakened 0.63%
versus the greenback to 105.89 per dollar.
Brent crude futures LCOc1 rose $1.77 to $67.14 a barrel.
U.S. crude futures CLc1 gained $1.58 to $63.25 a barrel.
The benchmark 10-year German Bund was steady DE10YT=RR .
Elsewhere, oil prices rose, although a surprise build-up in
U.S. inventories last week limited the gains. Brent and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures
have both risen by around 28% so far in 2021 LCOc1 CLc1 .

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Emerging markets http://tmsnrt.rs/2ihRugV
Global asset performance http://tmsnrt.rs/2yaDPgn
Up and away: global bond yields on the rise https://tmsnrt.rs/3kesTqW
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