OVERNIGHT MARKETS ROUND UP – 21/03/14

The trading session in Asia was relatively quiet with stocks slowly edging higher, however with the stock market in Japan closed for Equinox Day, there was no catalyst for any significant movements. It looked as though Asian stocks could follow suit from the negative morning on Wall Street yesterday; however there was a quick reversal by mid-afternoon to gain back the losses as investors shrugged off Janet Yellen’s ‘six month’ comment in regards to the increase in interest rates. 

Looking back on the past week, global markets have been particularly volatile, mostly driven by the FOMC press conference and the UK budget. The economic calendar for next week lacks any key pieces of data that will significantly move markets; therefore investors will be keeping a close eye on any changes in the geopolitical situation with Russia.