Global Market Report - June 21

China and Hong Kong shares slid again in another turbulent trading session in Asia-Pacific, while UK investors are looking ahead to the Bank of England

James Gard 21 June, 2018 | 10:58AM
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Asia

Key markets in the Asia-Pacific region fell again today as signs of stability in US equities were offset by ongoing trade fears and a stronger dollar. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost over 400 points and could soon test the 29,000 points level. China’s Shanghai Composite Index fell over 1% on the day to below 2,900 points.

Japan bucked the trend as a higher dollar against the yen pushed the case for domestic equities. The country’s Consumer Price Index for May will be in view before the market opens on Friday.

Europe

New FTSE 100 entrant Ocado (OCDO) was again the biggest riser as the online supermarket continues to benefit from the “Microsoft of retail” tag applied to it this week by a broker.

The FTSE 100 was just up in midmorning trading at 7,634 points.

Dixons Carphone (DC.) shares rose this morning despite revealing a near 25% drop in annual profits as customers deferred upgrading their mobile phone contracts. The retailer had flagged the drop in annual profits last week amid controversy over a significant data breach.

The Brexit-bruised UK government received a much-needed boost with news that the UK’s May budget deficit was the lowest for 13 years.

The Bank of England’s interest rate decision is due today at midday and the odds of a rate rise are slim. Governor Mark Carney is to deliver his Mansion House speech tonight, in which he likely to touch on monetary policy and the prospects for the UK economy as it navigates a course towards Brexit.

Eurozone exchanges were off approaching midday, with losses below 1% across the board.

North America

Weekly initial jobless and continuing claims will be released today, as well as the Philadelphia Fed’s Business Outlook for June

Mexico is expected to raise interest rates by a quarter point today to 7.75%. Friday sees the release of Canadian inflation data – the country’s cost of living is expected to have risen by 2.6% in May from a year ago, based on the Consumer Price Index.

Dow futures are predicting a fall in the key index at the open on Thursday.

Book retailer Barnes & Noble (BKS) reports earnings today.

 

 

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Securities Mentioned in Article

Security NamePriceChange (%)Morningstar
Rating
Currys PLC61.65 GBX-2.84
Ocado Group PLC347.20 GBX-0.80Rating

About Author

James Gard

James Gard  is senior editor for Morningstar.co.uk

 

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