June 18, 2012 / 7:33 AM / 7 years ago
World stocks jump on relief over Greek vote
Traders talk in front of a screen showing an index at Madrid's Bourse February 14, 2012. REUTERS/Sergio Perez/Files
LONDON (Reuters) - Investors breathed a sigh of relief on Monday after Greece's election eased fears that Europe's currency bloc would break up, boosting shares and sending the euro to a one-month high.
Greek voters gave a slim majority to parties supporting the country's economic bailout programme but analysts said the rally in financial markets might be limited by concerns about the world economy and problems in Spain and other euro zone members.
U.S. stock index futures and riskier commodities such as crude oil and copper also rose, while safe-haven assets like German bonds and gold fell after rallying last week on fears that the Greek vote could have unleashed financial turmoil.
"Even though the rally in risk may continue for a while, it is no time to get euphoric. The world economy is still in a bad shape and for Greece and others, formidable challenges still lay ahead," said Philippe Gijsels, head of research at BNP Paribas Fortis Global Markets.
The euro was up around 0.6 percent at $1.2710, having climbed as far as $1.2748, its highest level in a month. The U.S. dollar index eased 0.3 percent.
The FTSE Eurofirst 300 index of top European shares jumped 1.1 percent to 1,004.20 points, while demand for bank shares saw the blue chip Euro STOXX 50 index advance by 1.3 percent. A rally across Asia earlier helped lift the MSCI world equity index 0.7 percent to 307.79.
Germany 10-year bond prices fell sending yields up as much as nine basis points to 1.54 percent, their highest level since mid-May. (Reporting by Richard Hubbard; Editing by Anna Willard)