* MSCI world equity index falls for third straight day
* European shares bounce on ECB inflation revamp report
* Oil slumps as production pick-up eyed (Updates with close of U.S. markets, oil settlement prices)
By Chuck Mikolajczak
NEW YORK, July 18 (Reuters) - A gauge of global stocks advanced on Thursday, erasing declines on a late rally after comments from a U.S. Federal Reserve policymaker heightened expectations for a rate cut, while oil prices dropped on forecasts of rising output.
In a speech read as a strong argument in favor of quick and aggressive action by the Fed to cut rates this month, New York Fed President John Williams (NYSE:WMB) said policymakers need to add stimulus early to deal with too-low inflation when rates are near zero. all the Fed speak we've had... it seems like the ones that are more interested in cutting are more visible," said Thomas Martin, senior portfolio manager at Globalt Investments in Atlanta, Georgia.
"Today is an indication the market feels better if they know the central banks are going to be accommodative; that is the messaging you get from the markets."
Expectations the Fed will cuts rates by a half a percentage point jumped to 71%, according to CME's FedWatch tool, up from 34.3% on Wednesday. comments led to a turnaround in stocks on Wall Street, where shares were lower for a majority of the session in part due to disappointing results from Netflix NFLX.O , which plunged 10.27%. HON.N , up 3.12%, was a bright spot as its results topped expectations and raised its full-year outlook. However, the diversified manufacturer said it is planning "somewhat cautiously" for the second half due to volatile geopolitical and economic issues. are now expected to show growth of 0.6% for the second quarter, according to Refinitiv data. S&P 500 companies were expected to show a decline as recently as Tuesday.
U.S. and Chinese officials were scheduled to have a phone call on trade later on Thursday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in an interview along the sidelines of the G7 meeting in Chantilly, France, potentially opening the door for direct talks to resume. Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI rose 3.12 points, or 0.01%, to 27,222.97, the S&P 500 .SPX gained 10.69 points, or 0.36%, to 2,995.11 and the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC added 22.04 points, or 0.27%, to 8,207.24.
The Euro STOXX 600 .STOXX managed to close off its lows on hopes of looser monetary policy from the European Central Bank. pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX lost 0.22% and MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe .MIWD00000PUS gained 0.17%.
In commodities, oil slumped more than 2% on expectations crude output would rise in the Gulf of Mexico following last week's hurricane in the region. crude CLcv1 settled down 2.61% at $55.30 per barrel and Brent LCOcv1 was last at $61.93, down 2.72% on the day.
U.S. Treasury yields fell in the wake of Williams' comments, reversing course after separate reports showed manufacturing in the U.S. mid-Atlantic region rebounded and the labor market remained healthy, pushing yields higher. a flurry of strengthening economic data recently, market participants consider it a certainty the Federal Reserve will cut rates by at least a quarter of a percentage point at its July 30-31 meeting. 10-year notes US10YT=RR last rose 9/32 in price to yield 2.0294%, from 2.061% late on Wednesday.
In currencies, the dollar also weakened following the remarks from Williams, while the euro lost ground following a report the European Central Bank's staff is studying a potential change to its inflation goal.
The dollar index .DXY fell 0.53%, with the euro EUR=
up 0.47% to $1.1276.
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http://tmsnrt.rs/2jvdmXl Global currencies vs. dollar
http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh MSCI All Country Wolrd Index Market Cap
http://tmsnrt.rs/2EmTD6j
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