In Asian Equity Markets stocks rose on Thursday, with markets shaking off some of the trade jitters seen overnight after the Trump administration announced a list of Chinese goods that may be subject to new tariffs. The Nikkei 225 rose 1.33 percent in Tokyo, reversing its declines from the previous session with some support coming from the weaker yen. In Seoul, the Kospi added 0.62 percent. Technology was a mixed bag, with Samsung Electronics higher by 0.22 percent and SK Hynix down 1.04 percent, while automakers and steelmakers climbed.

In Currency Markets the US dollar rose to a six-month high against the yen and steadied against other major peers on Thursday after U.S. inflation data reaffirmed expectations that the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates two more times this year. The dollar firmed 0.3 percent to 112.29 yen after rising as much as 1.3 percent in U.S. trade on Wednesday, breaching the 112-barrier for the first time since Jan. 10. As the dollar held firm, the euro lacked momentum, trading at $1.1675, edging further off a 3-1/2-week high off $1.17905 touched on Monday.

In Commodities Markets brent crude rose more than $1 on Thursday, recouping some ground after its biggest one-day drop in two years in the previous session on news that Libya would resume oil exports and U.S.-China trade tensions. Brent crude rose $1.31, or 1.8 percent, to $74.71 after falling 6.9 percent on Wednesday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) added 42 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $70.80, after falling 5 percent the previous session. The announcement by Libya’s National Oil Corp that four export terminals were being reopened as one of the catalysts for yesterdays pullback.

In US Equity Markets stocks fell on Wednesday, breaking a four-session streak of gains after Washington’s threat to impose tariffs on an additional $200 billion worth of Chinese goods fanned trade war fears, while a sharp drop in oil prices hit energy shares. The S&P 500 lost 0.71 percent, to 2,774.02 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.55 percent, to 7,716.61. The utilities sector was the only one in positive territory, with a 0.9 percent gain. Twenty-First Century Fox fell 4 percent after the media company raised its offer for Britain’s Sky, seeing off rival bidder Comcast for now.

In Bond Markets U.S. yields slipped on Wednesday as growing trade tension between China and the United States contributed to high demand for an auction of 10-year notes. The Treasury sale for $22 billion in 10-year notes resulted in primary dealers taking their smallest share of supply since January, in contrast to weak demand for the auction of 3-year notes on Tuesday. An additional $14 billion in 30-year bonds will be offered on Thursday. U.S. benchmark 10-year yields were 2.8 basis points lower at 2.845 percent, and 30-year bonds were quoted at 2.946 percent.