Morning Report 16 Feb 22: Gains seen for ASX 200 as geo-political risks moderate

US sharemarkets were firmer on Tuesday. Investors perceived a de-escalation of tensions between Ukraine and Russia. Benefitting were banks and so-called 'mega cap' technology stocks. Travel-dependent stocks also lifted sharply on re-opening hopes. Shares in Intel rose 1.8% after it announced a $5.4 billion deal to buy Israeli chipmaker Tower Semiconductor. At the close of trade, the Dow Jones index was up by 423 points or 1.2%. The S&P 500 index was up 1.6%. And the Nasdaq index rose by 349 points or 2.5%.

US treasuries were mixed on Tuesday. Investors dissected news on Ukraine together with data showing a solid lift in US producer prices in the latest month. US 10-year yields rose by 6 points to 2.05%. But US 2-year yields fell by 1 point to 1.58%.

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