Global Market Report - February 2, 2018

Global markets were generally weaker on Friday ahead of the US jobs report

James Gard 2 February, 2018 | 11:09AM
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Asia

Markets in the region were again mixed after a tepid performance from US indices overnight. The general drift was lower, which included a daily fall for Japan’s Nikkei, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng – a recent strong performer – but China’s CSI 300 bucked the trend, driven by a rise in the Shenzhen index. China’s economy is in focus next week, with the services purchasing managers’ index revealed on Monday for January. Thursday brings a raft of trade data, including imports and exports, which will show how well China is transitioning away from being an export-dominated economy.

Europe

After the UK’s manufacturing sector missed growth forecasts in the January PMI survey, today’s construction figures also came in below expectations. At 50.2, the survey suggests that the construction industry only just expanded in January – although the month is usually among the weakest for construction activity, with the spillover from the festive period and snow affecting onsite activity. The UK’s dominant services sector will be in focus with the equivalent survey on Monday, although growth in this sector is expected to be healthier than with manufacturing and construction.

The FTSE 100 drifted lower on Friday morning, losing 25 points to 7,466, weighed down by a disappointing trading update from telecoms firm BT (BT.). Shares in pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca (AZN) were also lower after a sharp drop in profits for the full year.  A drop in sterling against the dollar and the euro failed to help sentiment towards UK equities.

Eurozone exchanges followed the global trend and were down by around 1% approaching midday.

North America

This crowded week for earnings and economics comes to a head today with the release of US job numbers for January. The forecast is for 180,000 jobs to have been added in January, against a rise of 148,000 in December. The unemployment rate is expected to stick at 4.1% for the month.

US oil giants Chevron (CVX) and Exxon Mobil (XOM) reveal earnings before the market opens on Friday.

With Google parent company Alphabet (GOOGL), Apple (AAPL) and Amazon (AMZN) reporting after the market closed last night, tech investors will be keen to see what the share price reaction will be to a mixed group of earnings.

The information contained within is for educational and informational purposes ONLY. It is not intended nor should it be considered an invitation or inducement to buy or sell a security or securities noted within nor should it be viewed as a communication intended to persuade or incite you to buy or sell security or securities noted within. Any commentary provided is the opinion of the author and should not be considered a personalised recommendation. The information contained within should not be a person's sole basis for making an investment decision. Please contact your financial professional before making an investment decision.

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Securities Mentioned in Article

Security NamePriceChange (%)Morningstar
Rating
Alphabet Inc Class A191.41 USD1.54Rating
Amazon.com Inc224.92 USD0.73Rating
Apple Inc254.49 USD1.88Rating
AstraZeneca PLC10,256.00 GBX0.12Rating
BT Group PLC145.00 GBX-0.96Rating
Chevron Corp142.85 USD1.20Rating
Exxon Mobil Corp105.87 USD0.34Rating

About Author

James Gard

James Gard  is senior editor for Morningstar.co.uk

 

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