Finance
Buoyant stocks pause for breath on signs of softening US consumption
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 11, 2026
3 min readLast updated: February 11, 2026
Quick Summary
US retail sales dip impacts stocks and bonds. Yen rallies post-Japan election, affecting currency markets. Gold and oil prices steady.
Stocks Take a Breather Amid Signs of Weakening US Consumer Demand
Market Reactions to US Economic Data
By Tom Westbrook
Impact on Stock and Bond Markets
SINGAPORE, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Bonds jumped and a rebound in stock markets slowed down on Wednesday after softer-than-expected U.S. retail sales figures, while a rally in the yen has extended and might be beginning to signal a shift in investor thinking since Japan's election.
Currency Market Movements
Morning trade in Asia was lightened by a holiday in Japan and as investors waited on inflation data due in China. Gold rose back above $5,000 an ounce.
Sector-Specific Developments
Benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yields fell nearly six basis points overnight and touched a one-month low of 4.14% after data showed a 0.1% dip in core U.S. retail sales in December and downward revisions to November and October figures.
Yields fall when bond prices rise. The S&P 500 closed 0.3% lower, as a recovery from last week's heavy selling in software shares starts to lose momentum.
Alphabet shares, which fell 1.8%, weighed on the market as the Google parent is in the midst of raising debt to fund an AI infrastructure spending spree. [.N]
In Asia, S&P 500 futures were 0.2% higher, Nikkei futures rose - though the cash market was shut for a holiday - and earnings drove moves in the Australian market, which was up 1% around the middle of the day in Sydney.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia shares jumped 7% as Australia's top mortgagee posted record earnings, loan growth, held market share and lifted its dividend.
Shares in CSL, a biotech company that makes most of its money selling blood plasma treatments for rare illnesses, dived 12% and touched eight-year lows after the company reported a fall in first-half profit and, late on Tuesday, announced the departure of its CEO.
Australia's beleaguered bourse operator, ASX, which has run into trouble with regulators as it tries to overhaul its trading technology, also announced the departure of its CEO late on Tuesday and shares were down 5.5% on Wednesday.
JURY'S OUT ON YEN BOUNCEBACK
In currency markets, a resurgent yen and a rising yuan have the dollar on the back foot.
The yen, trading at 153.96 per dollar, gained nearly 1% on the greenback on Tuesday and has bounced 2% since Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her ruling Liberal Democratic Party swept to a landslide election win on Sunday.
Many investors had been expecting a weaker currency on nerves about how Takaichi would pay for stimulus plans. But bond markets have been surprisingly steady since her victory, stocks have soared and so some investors are rethinking assumptions.
"To be long yen, you need to believe that the correlation to Nikkei will break and it becomes an unhedged 'buy Japan' trade," said Brent Donnelly, a currency trader and founder of analytics firm Spectra Markets.
"That's possible. I just think the jury's still out."
The yen also rose sharply on crosses overnight. The euro was steady at $1.1894 while the kiwi and Aussie held on above 60 cents and 70 cents, respectively.
China's yuan was firm in offshore trade after surging to its highest in almost three years on Tuesday, riding corporate demand for cash ahead of the Lunar New Year break. [CNY/]
Brent crude oil futures steadied at $68.80 a barrel with markets hanging on U.S.-Iran diplomacy. Bitcoin has struggled to progress beyond the $70,000 barrier and was pinned around $69,000 on Wednesday.
(Reporting by Tom WestbrookEditing by Shri Navaratnam)
Key Takeaways
- •US retail sales figures were softer than expected.
- •Bond markets saw a rise, leading to lower yields.
- •Stock market recovery slowed after initial gains.
- •The yen rallied, indicating a shift in investor sentiment.
- •Currency markets were influenced by Japan's election results.
Frequently Asked Questions about Buoyant stocks pause for breath on signs of softening US consumption
1What is consumer perception?
Consumer perception refers to how individuals view and interpret products, services, or brands based on their experiences, beliefs, and feelings. It significantly influences purchasing decisions.
2What are stock markets?
Stock markets are platforms where shares of publicly traded companies are bought and sold. They play a crucial role in the economy by facilitating capital raising and investment.
3What is currency hedging?
Currency hedging is a financial strategy used to reduce the risk of adverse price movements in currency exchange rates. It involves using financial instruments to offset potential losses.
4What is economic growth?
Economic growth refers to the increase in the production of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. It is typically measured by the rise in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
5What are bond markets?
Bond markets are venues where participants can issue new debt or buy and sell existing debt securities, primarily bonds. They are essential for raising capital and managing risk.
