Bonds

U.S. equity markets fell Tuesday amid renewed concerns about the pace of the global recovery as European countries imposed new COVID-19 lockdowns and as Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen testified about the U.S. government’s COVID-19 relief efforts.

The S&P 500 has come roaring back from the depths of its COVID-19 induced selloff, but the index faces new headwinds as the U.S. economic recovery kicks into a higher gear.

U.S. equity markets finished mixed Friday as the Nasdaq rebounded while the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 lost ground. 

Fed Chair Powell sees an improving economy.

Big money managers say that for the first time in a year COVID-19 is not the biggest tail risk to markets, according to a new survey.

The defensive utilities and consumer staples sectors could provide protection to stock-market investors wary of rising bond yields and the return of inflation that has been lacking since the 2008 financial crisis.

History suggests the selloff that has plagued technology stocks amid the recent rise in bond yields could still spill over into the broader market.

Investors will examine the latest report on consumer prices

Fed's Powell gives clues on inflation and when rates could move higher.

Thursday's event will be Powell's last outing before the Fed's policy-making committee convenes March 16-17

Powell is due to speak Thursday at 12:05 p.m. EST

Investors' love affair with bitcoin has become a double-edged sword as surging bond yields sparked a sell-off in risk assets, including bitcoin, and punished shares of companies that recently bought the cryptocurrency.

Traders will be watching data on income & spending and consumer sentiment