Late Equity Roundup, Mildly Weaker Ahead Fri's Headline Jobs Data

SPX eminis selling off ahead FI close, ESH2 still off late morning lows currently at 4359.0. No obvious headline driver with SPX still inside session range, while Tsys holding modest gains across most of the curve, short end weaker as prospect of rate hikes revitalized following Fed Chairman Powell's two-day policy testimony on the Hill. Note, lead Eurodollar futures EDH2 under heavy pressure late: -.0975 to 99.2575 as prospect of 50bp liftoff climbed ahead Fri's Feb employ data.

• Stocks gapped off lows early in the second half amid headlines over third round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine with the possibility of a cease fire. Russian officials expressed "support for humanitarian corridors for civilians" and agreeing on "possible ceasefire around those corridors".
• Support for stocks short lived with major indexes weaker after the FI close:
• DJIA -122.24 points (-0.36%) at 33760.78; Nasdaq -244.7 points (-1.8%) at 13506.86; S&P E-Mini Future down 27.5 points (-0.63%) at 4353.0.
• On SPX, Consumer Discretionary sector continued to lag -2.54%, Information Technology -1.33%; while Utilities sector outperformed +1.71%.
• Geopol headlines and wide range of risk exposure to Russia a main factor to consider while Friday's Feb employment data will give markets a clearer idea over near-term Fed policy.