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Futures Near Record High Shake Off Yellen Comments, Brace For Inflation Data

US equity futures rebounded from a mild dip in the overnight session, rising back to just shy of all time high at 4,228 as of 7:45 am on Monday, shaking off Yellen’s Sunday comments that the US Tsy Secretary welcomes higher rates (i.e., inflation) which would be “good for the Fed and US society.”  World shares were range bound on Monday as markets digested Friday’s disappointing yet “Goldilock” jobs report and a global tax deal between the G7 group of countries, while also looking ahead to critical CPI data due Thursday. The dollar was steady while the 10-year rate added two basis points after Janet Yellen said on Sunday a slightly higher interest-rate environment would be “a plus” for society. WTI slipped after rising to $70 per barrel as short-term demand worries continued.

Yellen set the stage for Monday trading on Sunday when she said Biden should push forward with his spending plans even if they spark inflation that persists into next year. Meanwhile, the Group of Seven rich nations secured a landmark deal that could help countries collect more taxes from big firms and enable governments to impose levies on U.S. giants such as Amazon.com Inc. and Facebook Inc.

Investors were wary how shares of major tech firms would react to the G7’s agreement on a minimum global corporate tax rate of at least 15%, although securing approval not to mention enforcement from the whole G20 could be a tall order. So far, the reaction was muted with Nasdaq futures down 0.4%, highlighting investor concern that a pure growth narrative may no longer be enough to support stocks. Technology shares underperformed in Europe as well, with the benchmark gauge for the sector falling from the highest level since April.

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