Asia
Hong Kong was again the standout market in the Asia-Pacific region, surging nearly 500 points to a new record high above 33,000. Once again the performance of Chinese tech giant Tencent (00700) was a factor in the Hang Seng’s gains. China’s CSI 300 was also higher on the day.
The dollar fought back against the yen after recent weakness but the reaction from Japanese indices was muted. Japanese inflation rose in December but is still below the Bank of Japan’s 2% target.
Europe
In a reversal of the usual trends, where a higher pound means a lower FTSE 100, sterling and equities were higher on Friday. The big economic announcement of the month, fourth quarter GDP, showed that the UK economy grew by a faster-than-expected 0.5% in the last three months of last year.
The big currency move of the week has been sterling’s push above $1.40, which has held back the FTSE 100. After the GDP news, the pound reversed earlier losses to trade above $1.42.
New FTSE 100 entrant Just Eat (JE) was the biggest riser on Friday morning, with in-favour easyJet (EZJ) not far behind. France’s CAC 40 was the pick of the main eurozone markets with a rise of nearly 1%.
North America
US economic growth is also in focus on Friday, overshadowing earnings season. The world’s largest economy is expected to have grown by 3% quarter on quarter, on an annualised basis. The announcement comes ahead of the stock market open.
Among the earnings highlights are toothpaste giant Colgate Palmolive (CL) and industrial firm Honeywell (HON), which report before the market opens. Next week the earnings season moves to the technology sector.
Away from the stock markets, President Trump’s Davos speech is eagerly anticipated, especially in light of the dollar’s performance this week – and how it has reacted to comments from senior politicians. His views on trade will be scrutinised by an essentially pro-globalisation and anti-protectionism set of delegates from the world business elite.
Canadian inflation numbers for December will also be in view.