In Asian Equity Markets stocks were ending a rough quarter in a sombre mood on Thursday amid fears central banks’ cure for inflation will end up sickening the global economy, though it is proving to be a fillip for the safe-haven dollar and government bonds. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan eased another 0.5 percent, bringing its losses for the quarter to 10 percent. Japan’s Nikkei fell 1.4 percent, though its decrease this quarter has been a relatively modest 5 percent thanks to a weak yen and the Bank of Japan’s dogged commitment to super-easy policies.

In Currency Markets the euro struggled to regain its footing on Thursday after tumbling overnight against a resurgent U.S. dollar, which benefited from safe-haven demand on renewed worries about higher rates and a global recession. The common currency was at $1.0453, up 0.13 percent on the day. The dollar remained on the front foot against other majors, with sterling hunkered down at $1.2132, with losses this week leaving it set for a 3.7 percent monthly decline, while the Australian dollar was struggling at $0.6895. The dollar also hit fresh a 24-year peak of 137 yen overnight.

In US Equity Markets the S&P 500 ended a seesaw session slightly down on Wednesday as investors staggered toward the finish line of a downbeat month, a dismal quarter, and the worst first-half for Wall Street’s benchmark index since President Richard Nixon’s first term. The Dow rose 0.27 percent, to 31,029.31, the S&P 500 lost 0.07 percent, to 3,818.83 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.03 percent, to 11,177.89. Of the 11 major sectors of the S&P 500, five lost ground on the day, with energy stocks suffering the largest percentage decrease. Healthcare led the gainers.

In Commodities Markets oil prices slid about 2 percent on Wednesday as a rise in U.S. gasoline and distillate inventories and worries about slower economic growth around the world offset ongoing concerns about tight crude supplies. Brent futures for August delivery fell 1.5 percent, to settle at $116.26 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for August fell 1.8 percent, to settle at $109.78. Spot gold fell 0.2 percent to $1,816.39 per ounce. Spot silver fell 0.4 percent to $20.75 per ounce, platinum rose 0.4 percent to $914.13, while palladium jumped 4.6 percent to $1,960.80.

In European Equity Markets stocks fell on Wednesday, as fears about a global recession deepened after chiefs of the European Central Bank and U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman stuck to their hawkish stance. The continent-wide STOXX 600 index fell 0.7 percent, snapping a three-day rally. Germany’s DAX was still down 1.7 percent following a three-day rally. Losses were broad-based, led by real estate and auto sectors, which fell 3.5 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively. H&M gained 2.2 percent after the world’s second-biggest fashion retailer reported a forecast-beating 33 percent increase in quarterly profit.

In Bond Markets U.S. Treasury yields declined for a second consecutive day on Wednesday as the market took a cool view of the Federal Reserve’s ability to corral inflation without throwing the economy into recession. The yield on 10-year Treasury notes fell 10.5 basis points to 3.102 percent, while the two-year’s yield slid 6.5 basis points to 3.059 percent. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond fell 9.4 basis points to 3.218 percent. The breakeven rate on five-year U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) was last at 2.641 percent.