Trade war concerns weigh on global equities

September 5, 2018

By IFCMarkets

Dollar strengthens as ISM manufacturing jumps

US stock market ended lower on Tuesday. Trade war concerns weighed on market sentiment despite positive US data after reopening following three-day weekend. The S&P 500 fell 0.2% to 2896.72. Dow Jones industrial average slipped 0.05% to 25.952.48. The Nasdaq composite index lost 0.2% to 8091.25. The dollar strengthening accelerated as the ISM’s manufacturing index hit 14-year high: the live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, ended 0.3% higher at 95.40 and is higher currently. Futures on three main US stock indices indicate lower openings today.

Lingering trade war concerns weighed on market sentiment against the background of continuing financial turmoil in Argentina and Turkey. Economic data were mostly positive: initial jobless claims rose less than expected, with the monthly average hitting the lowest level since December 1969. Personal spending rose 0.4% in July from 0.3% in June while personal income grew at 0.3% when a steady 0.4% growth was expected. And the personal consumption expenditure index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, rose to 2.3% from 2.2%, the highest level since April 2012, suggesting the Fed is likely to stick to its rate hikes plan.

European indices open lower

European stocks pulled back on Tuesday. The EUR/USD joined GBP/USD’s slide and both pairs are down currently. The Stoxx Europe 600 lost 0.7%. The German DAX 30 fell 1.1% to 12210.21. France’s CAC 40 dropped 1.3% and UK’s FTSE 100slid 0.6% to 7457.86. Indices opened 0.2% – 0.4% lower.

Investors will be watching closely a meeting today between Michel Barnier, European Union’s top Brexit negotiator and UK Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab. In economic news German jobless claims fell in August while its unemployment rate remained at 5.2%, as had been expected. UK car manufacturing fell 11% in July.

Asian indices retreat

Asian stock indices are falling today as investors await the resumption of US-Canada trade talks. Nikkei lost 0.5% to 22581 despite slowed yen slide against the dollar. Chinese stocks are falling with President Trump determined to enact duties on another $200 billion of Chinese imports this Thursday: the Shanghai Composite Index is down 1.7% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index is 2.4% lower. Australia’s All Ordinaries Index fell 1% despite continued Australian dollar’s slide against the greenback while Australian economy records strong growth in the second quarter.

Brent dips

Brent futures prices are lower today as US storm threat eases with the storm in the Gulf of Mexico looked set to miss the bulk of the region’s oil production platforms. Prices ended lower yesterday: November Brent added 0.03% to $78.17 a barrel Tuesday.

Market Analysis provided by IFCMarkets


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