Asia
Markets in the region sold off sharply on Monday with losses of over 2% for key markets in China and Japan. Weaker-than-expected growth in Chinese manufacturing set the tone for a turbulent day’s trading in Asia-Pacific, with markets already in high anxiety mode over trade tariffs. China’s Caixin Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) came in at 51, with 50 being the dividing line between expansion and contraction.
Japan’s manufacturing sector growth was better than China’s last month but that was not enough to save the country’s equity markets from joining in the global selloff. The US dollar briefly touched 111 yen but this was not enough to support the Nikkei, which fell nearly 500 points below 22,000, a drop of over 2% on Friday’s close. The market-capitalisation weighted Topix index also fell over 2%.
With the Shanghai Composite Index falling into a bear market at the end of the second quarter, the Chinese market started the new month and third quarter on the back foot. Fears over Chinese government intervention in the property market hit that sector’s stocks.
Europe
Markets in Europe followed Asia’s lead by trading lower. Spain’s IBEX was one of the worst performers in the eurozone in percentage terms, with a fall over 1% approaching midday. France’s CAC 40 in Paris was not far behind.
Investors in the FTSE 100 shunned commodity shares after China’s weaker economic news and equity market slide. Glencore (GLEN), Antofagasta (ANTO) and Anglo American (AAL) were among the worst performers on Monday morning. Tesco (TSCO) was one of the rare gainers in a sea of red share prices, after the supermarket announced a deal with France chain Carrefour. The FTSE 100 was off around 1% to 7,560 points in midmorning trading.
North America
Dow futures suggest that US markets will catch up with Asian weakness at the start of the new quarter today. A slide of over 100 points is predicted at the open amid the trade war rhetoric. EU leaders responded to Trump’s latest threats over tariffs on the car industry with the prospect of $300 billion in retaliation.
Economics data takes centre stage this week, with the non-farm payroll numbers coming on Friday.
Today sees the release of manufacturing data for June, while the Federal Reserve meeting minutes from June 13 will be in view on Thursday.
Canada’s stock market is closed for Canada Day.