Equities mixed after US markets ended lower again - 12.3.2025

The Dollar weakening has reversed currently. The live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, ended 0.4% lower on Tuesday.

Both GBP/USD and EUR/USD resumed their advancing yesterday while the Conference Board reported the Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the United Kingdom declined in January. Both Pound and euro are lower against the dollar currently. Both USD/JPY and AUD/USD reversed their sliding on Tuesday with both the yen and Australian dollar lower against the Greenback currently.

Futures on three main US stock indexes are up currently with the yield on benchmark 10-year US notes down at 4.268%. Stock indexes ended lower on Tuesday recording daily losses in a range of -1.1% to -0.2% as 25% tariffs on all US steel and aluminum imports took effect and president Trump again on social media said he wanted Canada "to become our cherished Fifty First State."

European stock indexes futures are up currently after closing lower on Tuesday. The European Union retaliated today to US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports saying it would impose counter-tariffs on 26 billion euros worth of US goods starting in April in response to the tariffs. Asian indexes futures are mixed today with Japan’s Nikkei leading gains after plunging to a six-month low in the previous session.

Brent is steady currently. Prices inched up yesterday despite U.S. Energy Information Administration update US crude oil production is poised to set a larger record this year than prior estimates. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) will release its US inventory data at 15:30 CET today. The US oil benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 0.3% and is little changed currently. Brent rose 0.4% to $69.56 a barrel on Tuesday.