Global Market Report - May 14, 2018

Signs of improving US-China trade relations are helping the mood of global investors

James Gard 14 May, 2018 | 11:10AM
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Asia

The Hong Kong market was once again the best-performing in the region at the start of the new trading week. The Hang Seng rose over 400 points or over 1% to close above 31,500 points – the index was below 30,000 points at the start of last week.

President Trump’s decision to block Chinese firm ZTE (763) from working with US companies was badly received by the China and Hong Kong-listed tech sector. The move also seemed to stoke fears of protectionism and trade wars between the US and China.

Today’s apparent U-turn, in which the US President vowed to protect ZTE Chinese workers, was received by investors as tentative signs of progress in ongoing trade talks between the two companies.

Hong Kong-listed ZTE suspended its activities on May 9 after the seven-year ban in working with US companies was imposed.

As the US dollar inched towards 110 yen on Monday, Japanese equities were given a mild push to the upside.

Europe

Once again, political risk emerged in the eurozone with news that a populist government is set to come to power in Italy. Five years ago such news would have led to a spike in Italian bond yields and pressure on the stock market. Today eurozone investors were more sanguine, and the FTSE MIB index was very marginally down on the day.

Shares in Euro Stoxx 50 component Airbus (AIR) were down on Monday as the company’s finance chief announced that he would be joining CEO Tom Enders in leaving the company next year.

Investors in British Gas owner Centrica (CNA) were cheered more by cost efficiencies in the first four months of 2018 than the fall in residential customers.

The UK’s FTSE 100 was just in positive territory in midmorning trading, holding above the recently claimed 7,700 points level.

North America

Trump’s rapprochement with the Chinese authorities over ZTE has come at a good time for investors preoccupied by the fallout from the Iran nuclear deal. Dow futures are pricing in a gain of 100 points at the start of the new trading week as cautious optimism returns to global markets. Progress over North Korea denuclearisation is also helping rebuild the bulls’ confidence.

This week Cisco Systems reports (CSCO) on Wednesday, Walmart (WMT) on Thursday.

US retail sales are in view on Tuesday and Canadian inflation data will be released on Friday.

 

 

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.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Securities Mentioned in Article

Security NamePriceChange (%)Morningstar
Rating
Centrica PLC124.95 GBX-0.75Rating
Cisco Systems Inc58.70 USD1.85Rating
Walmart Inc93.02 USD-0.41Rating
ZTE Corp Class H21.80 HKD-1.13

About Author

James Gard

James Gard  is senior editor for Morningstar.co.uk

 

© Copyright 2024 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Terms of Use        Privacy Policy        Modern Slavery Statement        Cookie Settings        Disclosures