The Nasdaq 100 soars as market sentiment improves on news that big US banks have teamed up to rescue First Republic, a move that will reduce financial instability risks in the wake of recent events.

The cryptocurrency market has seemingly shrugged off the ongoing bout of risk aversion and Bitcoin is once again attempting to break an area of noted resistance.

Gold prices are trading lower on Thursday, but the precious metal maintains a bullish profile as financial market risks linked to banking sector problems have not entirely disappeared.

ECB hikes rates by 50bps in a sign that price stability trumps financial stability concerns. Borrowing costs are now at the highest level since late 2008.

USD/JPY is currently testing a key level of technical support, formed by the 50-day MA. As the safe-haven Yen rises, falling US yields have weighed on the Dollar.

Oil markets appear eerily calm in the early London session as the Swiss National Bank eases some banking concerns. US crude stocks rise, adding to the selling pressure

Sterling is nudging higher against the US dollar, testing the 1.2100 level, after Wednesday’s flight-to-quality saw the greenback surge across the board.

The Australian Dollar was slightly boosted by better-than-anticipated employment data today. It comes against a backdrop of uncertainty that has seen the US Dollar wreak havoc on AUD/USD.