Asia
Another record closing high on Wall Street gave Asian markets strong momentum on Tuesday, with Japan’s Nikkei index ending 1% higher at 20,614.07, helped by better-than-expected consumer confidence numbers for September. In Australia, the central bank kept rates at 1.5% as expected, while insurer QBE (QBE) pulled the benchmark ASX index down after a $600m hit to profits from recent hurricanes in the US and Caribbean. South Korea’s Kospi rose nearly 1% as the index joined in the rally across Asia-Pacific shares. Chinese equity markets remain closed. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was the biggest riser in the region, gaining over 2% on the day to close at 28.173.21, some 6,000 points higher than at the start of the year.
Europe
In the UK, the biggest surprise among economic data was a fall in the monthly construction PMI below 50, which indicates that the sector is contracting. The IHS Markit purchasing managers’ index dropped to 48.1, from 51.1, the steepest fall in activity since just after the vote to leave the European Union in June 2016. The pound softened against the euro and the dollar after the announcement, amid expectations that the data may make the Bank of England hesitate before raising interest rates at its next meeting in November.
The FTSE 100 was little changed in morning trading, while building materials group Ferguson (FERG) was the biggest riser amid strong results and news of a share buyback. The company’s shares rose nearly 4% to £50.45.
Germany’s Dax continued to build on recent gains that have pushed the index to record levels. The Dax closed at 12,902.65 points. France’s Cac 40 index was also near record highs on Tuesday morning, as a dip in the euro helped equities.
North America
The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average rose again on Monday night to reach yet more record levels, and futures are currently predicting another rise in the US indices. Economic announcements are light today, but investors are looking ahead to Wednesday’s ISM services data and Friday’s non-farm payroll numbers. US housebuilder Lennar (LEN) reports earnings on Tuesday. Oil prices are under pressure today after a recent strong run amid reports of supply increases from Iraq and Libya.