Asia
US markets flipped back into “risk on” mode on Wednesday so Asia followed suit, with China’s Shanghai Composite Index leading the charge after its sharp fall yesterday.
Economic drivers were also in play in Hong Kong and China today: China’s manufacturing PMI for May beat expectations. The sector is still expanding at a healthy rate, the survey showed. Tomorrow’s Caixin PMI survey for manufacturing will give a fuller picture of the sector’s strength as the country continues to rebalance away from exports towards domestic consumption.
Still, Chinese equity markets have been in the doldrums in the closing stages of this month. At just under 3,100 points, the Shanghai Composite is a way of its recent high above 3,500 points at the start of the year – and indeed off its all-time high above 5,000 points in June 2015.
While the diplomatic channels between the US and North Korea, and the US and China, still open, more optimistic investors can cling to the hope that de-nuclearisation can be achieved and trade war avoided.
Europe
The Italian political crisis has not gone away but markets are more stable than earlier this week. The FTSE MIB benchmark is up over 1% on the day and 10-year yields dipped again. Spain’s 10-year yield also retreated as the country gears up for the result of a no confidence vote in the Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy.
European stocks were modestly higher on Thursday but this month the FTSE 100 has outperformed its Eurozone counterparts because of a rebound in commodity stocks.
The quarterly reshuffle in FTSE 100 sees Ocado (OCDO) and betting firm owner GVC (GVC) promoted, while security company G4S (GFS) and private healthcare firm Mediclinic (MDC) are demoted to the FTSE 250.
North America
The economics calendar is rather fuller than in recent days, with highlights including personal spending data, home sales, Chicago PMI, weekly jobless initial and continuing claims. Tomorrow's non-farm payrolls number overshadows them all.
Retailers' earnings are in focus today with a market update from discounter Costco (COST) and American Eagle Outfitters (AEO).