SQUAWK BOX, THURSDAY 18TH MARCH, 2021

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell holds a dovish line. The central bank sees interest rates staying near zero until at least 2023, despite Fed members offering a more optimistic outlook for growth and inflation this year. Markets cheered Powell’s announcements with the Dow closing at over 33-thousand points for the first time while yields ease. However, U.S. futures point to a muted open on Wall Street today. In Europe, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is set to secure a fourth term in office, to become the country's longest serving leader. His VVD party are projected to win 35 of the 150 seats. Meanwhile the vaccine row on the continent heats up and the EU goes on the attack - warning it will hold back vaccine exports to nations it says are failing to deliver jabs to the bloc.