In Asian Equity Markets stocks pushed ahead on Monday with investors seemingly confident markets can weather whatever comes from a host of central bank meetings this week, including the likely early end to U.S. policy stimulus. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan added 0.8 percent. Japan’s Nikkei rose 1.0 percent, as a survey of large manufacturers found sentiment was the best since late 2018. Chinese stocks added 1.4 percent to last week’s 3.1 percent jump amid hopes for more stimulus after Beijing’s recent loosening of bank reserve requirements.

In Currency Markets the dollar inched higher at the start of a busy week of central bank meetings, including at the Federal Reserve, which are expected to drive currency markets and help the dollar, although concerns about the coronavirus weigh heavily on traders’ minds. The pound lost 0.16 percent to $1.3257 after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday that Britain faces a “tidal wave” of the Omicron variant of coronavirus and that two vaccine doses will not be enough to contain it. The euro fell 0.17 percent to $1.1292, while the greenback gained 0.1 percent on the yen to 113.5.

In US Equity Markets stocks advanced on Friday and the S&P 500 notched an all-time closing high, as market participants digested an inflation reading that was in line with consensus, but also marked the largest annual increase in consumer prices in nearly four decades. The Dow rose 0.6 percent, to 35,970.99, the S&P 500 gained 0.95 percent, to 4,712.02 and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.73 percent, to 15,630.60. Shares of software firm Oracle Corp rose 15.6 percent after it forecast an upbeat third-quarter outlook.

In Commodities Markets oil prices rose slightly on Friday and posted their biggest weekly gain since late August, with market sentiment buoyed by easing concerns over the Omicron coronavirus variant’s impact on global economic growth and fuel demand. Brent futures settled up 1 percent, at $75.15 a barrel, after falling 1.9 percent on Thursday. WTI rose 1 percent, to $71.67 after sliding 2 percent in a volatile session the previous day. Spot gold rose 0.5 percent to $1,782.44 per ounce. Spot silver was up 1 percent at $22.15 per ounce. Platinum rose 0.3 percent to $937.68 per ounce and was on track for its first weekly gain in four. Palladium fell 3.2 percent to $1,754.57.

In European Equity Markets stocks fell on Friday on nervousness around the Omicron COVID-19 variant, while U.S. inflation reading coming in broadly in line with expectations did little to allay uncertainty around U.S. monetary policy. The pan-European STOXX 600 fell 0.3 percent, down for third straight session, on worries that measures to curb the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant could hit economic recovery. Auto stocks were led higher by Daimler AG which rose 2.9 percent after spun-off Daimler Truck climbed in its market debut on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

In Bond Markets U.S. Treasury yields were little changed in choppy trading on Friday after an inflation reading was largely in-line with expectations, easing concerns the Federal Reserve may need to be more aggressive in its efforts to combat rising prices. The yield on 10-year Treasury notes was up 0.2 basis points to 1.489 percent. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond, was up 1.6 basis points to 1.883 percent. The two-year U.S. Treasury yield, which typically moves in step with interest rate expectations, was down 2.6 basis points at 0.660 percent.