Asia
Markets in the Asia-Pacific region were given a downward push by overnight weakness in US stocks. But most falls were muted, leaving the Nikkei, Topix, China’s CSI 300 down by less than 0.5%.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index managed a small increase as it re-opened following the shutdown for typhoon Hato. In economics, Chinese industrial production was up 3.4% in the second quarter on a year on year basis, against a drop of 1.2% in the previous quarter. Japanese inflation figures are due as the market opens on Friday morning in Tokyo.
Europe
Economic growth was in focus on Thursday morning: the UK’s second quarter growth was confirmed at 0.3%, while Spain’s once struggling economy posted gains of 0.9% in the same period. French industrial confidence is at its best level since December 2007. Stock exchanges across the board were up by less than 0.5% as a result. By midmorning London time, the FTSE 100 was 26 points higher at 7,409 points.
Provident Financial (PFG) was the top of the FTSE 100 leaderboard, rising 20% to 793p after Tueday’s crash. The company’s shares started the week above £18. Mobile phone and electronics retailer Dixons Carphone (DC), issued a profit warning, pushing its shares down over 20% and dragging its constituent index, the FTSE 250 lower.
North America
As the world’s central bankers head to Jackson Hole, there is still plenty of economic and earnings news for investors to digest. In the US, weekly jobless claims are forecast to come in at 238,000 for the week to August 19.
On Wall Street, Broadcom (AVGO), Tiffany (TIF), Abercrombie and Fitch (ANF), Sears (SHLD), all report. Canada’s bank reporting season continues, following a hike in profits and dividends at Royal Bank of Canada (RY). Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce (CM) is forecast to post revenue of nearly $4 billion Canadian dollars.