Global Market Report - October 9

Global investors were in cautious mood as the US Treasury yield hit a seven-year high and the IMF downgraded global growth for 2018 and 2019

James Gard 9 October, 2018 | 10:36AM
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Global Market Report

Asia

Japan’ stock market caught up with yesterday’s sharp fall in China indices after a public holiday on Monday. The Nikkei 225 dropped over 300 points or 1.32% to closed at 23,469 points on Tuesday even without any significant change in the yen-dollar rate.

China’s Shanghai Composite Index was a touch higher after Monday’s near 4% slump as the yuan gained ground.

Global shares were under pressure as the US 10-year bond yield pushed to seven-year high.

Europe

Ahead of this month’s UK Budget, the Chancellor received support from the International Monetary Fund, which said that the Government could now afford to ease up on the austerity programme that has been in place since the financial crisis. Nevertheless, Philip Hammond insists that the 29 October Budget will not feature the “giveaways” of previous years.

The FTSE 100 held above 7,200 points on Tuesday morning but there were strong downside moves from Royal Mail (RMG) after its price target and recommendation were downgraded by two brokers. The company, which floated in October with much media and public interest, has struggled in share price terms this year. Having been above 600p in May thus year, the shares are now trading around 340p.

Aviva (AV.) shares were on the up on the day that chief executive Mark Wilson announced a surprise departure after more than five years in charge of the FTSE 100 insurer.

Eurozone indices were mixed with no significant price moves in either direction, with even under-pressure Italy managed to remain positive approaching midday.

North America

US consumer price inflation data is the highlight of the economic calendar this week – the data due on Thursday and it is expected to show a slight rise on August levels of 2.2%.

The US economy has been one of the global highlights this year as emerging markets have tumbled and concerns have grown over the health of the Chinese economy. The IMF, in its latest World Economic Outlook, expected a “less balanced and more tentative expansion” than in previous months. In April, the IMF had predicted global growth of 3.9% and 2019 and this has now been downgraded to 3.7% for this year and next. Growth is expected to slow to 3.6% by 2022.

"Overall, world economic growth is still solid compared with earlier this decade, but it appears to have plateaued," the IMF said.

This week sees third quarter earnings season kick off in traditional style with the Wall Street banks reporting earnings. JP Morgan (JPM) is first out of the blocks on Friday, although once again tech firms will be in the spotlight after last earnings season's Facebook crash.

 

 

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Securities Mentioned in Article

Security NamePriceChange (%)Morningstar
Rating
Aviva PLC457.20 GBX-0.31Rating
International Distributions Services PLC362.20 GBX0.17
JPMorgan Chase & Co237.60 USD1.99Rating

About Author

James Gard

James Gard  is senior editor for Morningstar.co.uk

 

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