Global Market Report - August 14

Fears over Turkey's currency crisis eased on Tuesday, helping European stock markets recover some ground

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

Global Market Report

Asia

Some markets in Asia-Pacific recovered some ground after yesterday’s selloff despite negative pressure from Wall Street on Monday night. Fears over the contagion effect from Turkey’s currency crisis appear to have abated, for now at least. China and Hong Kong stock markets were a touch lower day on day at the close on weaker Chinese industrial production and retail sales data, but Japan’s Nikkei erased yesterday’s losses with a near-500 point rise on Tuesday.

India’s rupee hit a record low against the dollar, in an echo of the Turkish crisis, but this helped domestic shares push higher on Tuesday morning. Global investors are fretting about the country’s current account deficit and slow progress in reforming its finances.

Europe

The German economy expanded less strongly than forecast on a yearly basis, according to provisional estimates, but the country’s stock market pushed higher, helped by a slight softening in the euro against the dollar. The quarter on quarter growth of 0.5% was higher than the UK’s, however, but the Eurozone’s growth rate of 0.4% was identical.

In the UK, the pound reacted to the latest unemployment figures, which showed that the jobless rate is the lowest since 1975. Wage growth was softer, rising 2.4% year on year in the three months to June, which is exactly in line with the Consumer Price Index. Inflation data out tomorrow is expected to show a slight rise in the CPI to 2.5%, meaning that the cost of living is outstripping earnings rises again.

The pound lost some momentum after the UK job figures, and this helped the FTSE 100 reclaim positive territory in midmorning trading. Shares in Chilean copper mining firm Antofagasta (ANTO) lost 5% after first-half earnings fell on the previous year and the company warned on the impact of trade disputes.

Signs of intervention by the Turkish central bank, as it raised overnight interest rates, have calmed the country’s stock market and currency on Tuesday. An official interest rate hike is considered off the table by Reccip Tayyip Erdogan, but Turkey’s leader urged domestic companies to “export, export” and considered a ban on US electronics like Apple iPhones.

North America

Retailer Home Depot (HD) overshadows the list of companies reporting by sheer virtue of its market capitalisation, which at over $200 billion, dwarves the rest of today’s list. Of similar size, Cisco (CSCO) reports on Wednesday.

In terms of this week’s economics, retail sales data is due on Wednesday, and weekly jobless claims and monthly housing starts are due on Thursday.

 

 

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
Antofagasta PLC1,664.50 GBX-1.48
Cisco Systems Inc58.69 USD1.96Rating
The Home Depot Inc416.58 USD1.49Rating

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