In Asian Equity Markets China stocks bounced back on Monday after last week’s sharp drop, as authorities reported no new local COVID-19 cases for the first time since July, while technology and healthcare stocks helped Hong Kong equities rise after a two-day fall. The CSI300 index rose 0.9 percent to 4,810.14 by the end of the morning session, after falling more than 3.5 percent last week, while the Shanghai Composite Index gained 1 percent to 3,461.73. Japan’s Nikkei also bounced 1.8 percent, but that follows a 3.4 percent slide last week to its lowest since December.

In Currency Markets the safe-haven dollar retreated from more-than-nine-month highs against major peers on Monday as a bounce in Asian stocks lifted sentiment, despite the continued spread of the Delta coronavirus variant. The dollar index declined 0.19 percent to 93.311 from Friday, when it climbed as high as 93.734 for the first time since Nov. 4. The euro appreciated 0.18 percent to $1.17195, off Friday’s 9 1/2-month trough of $1.1664. Sterling added 0.18 percent to $1.36475, up from a one-month of $1.3602 at the end of last week.

In US Equity Markets stocks rallied to close sharply higher on Friday, closing a tumultuous week on easing concerns over whether the U.S. Federal Reserve could begin tightening its dovish monetary policy sooner than expected. The Dow rose 0.65 percent, to 35,120.08, the S&P 500 gained 0.81 percent, to 4,441.67 and the Nasdaq Composite added 1.19 percent, to 14,714.66. Alibaba Holding Group closed down 1.6 percent, while Tencent Music Entertainment Group, Didi Global and iQiyi Inc gained between 1.6 percent and 3.7 percent.

In Commodities Markets oil prices closed out their biggest week of losses in more than nine months with another down day on Friday, as investors sold futures in anticipation of weakened fuel demand worldwide due to a rise in COVID-19 cases. Brent crude fell 8 percent on the week, settling down 1.9 percent, to $65.18 a barrel. U.S. WTI crude for September settled down 2.2 percent, to $62.32 a barrel on Friday. Spot gold was up 0.1 percent at $1,782.45 per ounce, while silver fell 0.8 percent to $23.05 per ounce. Palladium lost 1.6 percent to $2,276.17 and platinum rose 2.1 percent to $994.18.

In European Equity Markets stocks rose on Friday as Marks & Spencer lifted retailers, but the benchmark STOXX 600 still marked its worst week since February on signs of slowing economic growth and rising COVID-19 cases. The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.3 percent, with the retail sector gaining 1.2 percent. British retailer Marks & Spencer rose 14.1 percent as it hiked its profit outlook after a jump in demand for food and a rise in online clothes’ orders indicated that its latest turnaround plan was starting to deliver. London’s FTSE 100 index rose 0.4 percent, while Germany’s DAX was up 0.3 percent.

In Bond Markets U.S. Treasury yields edged higher on the day but closed lower on the week on Friday as concerns about the spread of COVID-19 variants and rising volatility in the stock market boosted demand for the safe haven debt. Benchmark 10-year yields rose two basis points on the day to 1.260 percent, but are down from 1.283 percent last week. They fell to 1.127 percent earlier this month, which was the lowest since February. Breakeven rates on five-year Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities fell to 2.45 percent and are down from 2.57 percent last Friday.