World stocks gain
Dollar eases, oil prices rise
More Fed speakers, major earnings on the docket

NEW YORKLONDON, Feb 7 Reuters Global equities rose to a more than twoyear high and the SP 500 touched a record peak on Wednesday, as strong earnings offset jitters related to U.S. regional banks and China markets.

Bonds were under modest pressure, as comments from Federal Reserve officials reaffirmed expectations that the central bank may not soon cut rates.

The MSCI world equity index, which tracks shares in 49 nations, gained 0.37 by 1011 a.m. EST 1511 GMT after hitting its highest since midJanuary 2022. Markets got a boost from a rally in Chinese bluechips.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.25 to 38,619.03, the SP 500 gained 0.48 to 4,978.24 and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.48 to 15,683.15.

We are at the midpoint of the 4Q earnings reporting season, and we would say that there has been more good news than bad, Arthur Hogan, chief market strategist with B. Riley Wealth, said in a morning note.

The U.S. regional banking sector remained a concern as Moody39;s downgraded New York Community Bancorp to junk citing pressure on its funding and liquidity. The stock lost 22 on Tuesday, to be down 60 since it reported surprise losses last week.

Chinese regulators continued efforts to steady markets, placing further curbs on short selling and state investors said they were expanding their stock buying plans. President Xi Jinping would discuss the stock…