* MSCI world equity index hits three-month low
* Greece debt woes, China inflation jitters hit risk demand
* Dollar index climbs to six-month high
By Naomi Tajitsu
LONDON, Feb 1 (Reuters) - World shares sank to a three-month
low on Monday as concerns about Greece's debts and a reminder of
the challenges China faces to curb inflation stung risk demand,
helping push the dollar to a six-month high versus a currency
basket.
The MSCI world equity index <.MIWD00000PUS> fell to its
weakest level since early November, as investors cut exposure to
risky trades while Athens scrambles to convince its European
colleagues it will do what it takes to repair its finances.
A retreat in Greek bond yields helped to trim some share
losses, but risk demand stayed low on speculation that China may
have to tighten monetary policy, which picked up after business
polls showed strong growth and higher inflation. []
This kept high-risk, commodity-linked currencies under
pressure, as they are seen as vulnerable to any tempering of
Chinese growth, and helped lift the dollar index <.DXY> as high
as 79.534, its highest since late July.
European shares <> slipped 0.2 percent on the day and
edged close to a near two-month low hit late last week, while
risk aversion also kept oil prices <CLc1> near a 6-week low.
"(The direction of the market) will depend on key factors
such as whether or not Greece's restructuring plan is credible,
and other political factors, such as regulatory intervention in
the banking sector," said Andy Lynch, fund manager at Schroders.
By 1314 GMT, the MSCI index was at 286.09, trimming some
losses suffered in earlier trade. World share prices fell
roughly 4.5 percent in January, the worst monthly performance
since February last year.
Risk aversion supported the dollar's safe-haven appeal,
keeping it near a seven-month high against the euro of $1.3852
<EUR=> hit early on Monday.
The high-yielding Australian and New Zealand dollars hit
their weakest in more than a month against their U.S.
counterpart.
US STOCK FUTURES UP
Stock indices pared some losses, and U.S. stock futures
<SPv1> rose 0.6 percent on optimism that data this week,
including crucial U.S. non-farm payrolls, will show the economy
continues to improve, but investors remained wary of taking on
positions that involve significant risk.
Markets showed limited initial reaction to U.S. President
Barack Obama's budget for the fiscal year to 2011, which
forecast a record-high deficit of $1.56 trillion in 2010.
[]
Analysts said the figure was in line with expectations but
added the report was short on details of how to increase
revenues while curbing federal projects, including space
missions.
"This is really something that is going to have an impact on
equities, rather than the dollar or Treasuries, because it's
individual areas (such as aerospace) that may be impacted," said
Marc Ostwald, currency and rates strategist at Monument
Securities in London.
Risk appetite continues to be sluggish as markets wait to
see if Greece will come up with a decisive plan to shore up its
finances and cut its debts.
Concerns about Athens's fiscal situation has triggered heavy
selling in Greek bonds, whose yield spreads against German debt
blew out to their widest levels on record last week.
The EU economic and monetary affairs commissioner said on
Monday Greece's deficit-cutting plan was ambitious but
achievable, warning however that Athens may have to take extra
measures to shore up its finances. []
The 10-year Greek government bond yielded shot in to 336
basis points more than benchmark German Bunds in response,
compared with around 360 bps late on Friday, and was well off
the euro lifetime high of around 405 bps set last week.
Ten-year Bund futures <FGBLc1> were at 123.47, edging up 9
ticks from Friday's settlement close.
(Additional reporting by Brian Gorman in London, editing by
Mike Peacock)
