Global Market Report - July 10, 2018

The first monthly UK GDP figure showed a rise of 0.3% in June, strengthening the case for an interest rate rise in August

James Gard 10 July, 2018 | 11:05AM
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Global Market Report

Asia

After Monday’s bounce, Chinese equities inched forward today, helped by a slackening of trade war tension. Japan’s Nikkei and Topix index rose by nearly 1%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was virtually unchanged despite a strong push from US stock markets overnight.

In India, the BSE Sensex was one of the best performing markets in the wider Asia region.

Chinese inflation came in at 1.9% in June, as expected, based on the Consumer Price Index.

Europe

So far the stock market reaction to the resignation of both the UK Brexit Secretary and the Foreign Secretary has been muted. The pound fell after Boris Johnson’s resignation and this helped push the FTSE 100 back towards 7,700 points. In midmorning trading, the blue-chip index was only just in positive territory at 7,691 points.

Sky (SKY) was one of the biggest risers amid media reports that 21st Century Fox (FOXA) is planning to raise its bid for the UK broadcaster to see off Comcast (CMCSA)

In its first monthly reading of UK growth, the Office for National Statistics said the economy grew by 0.3% in June. This was consistent with strong purchasing manager indices in services, manufacturing and construction. The growth was higher than the 0.2% recorded in the first quarter. Nevertheless, a range of official statistics for May painted a mixed picture of the UK economy: industrial production contracted on a month on month basis and manufacturing production came in below forecasts. Construction output grew nearly 3% in May, compared with no growth the previous month.

The Bank of England’s next meeting in August and an interest rate is still expected by the City.

Stock markets were in the eurozone made modest gains approaching midday.

North America

US stock futures crept up after yesterday’s strong move as investors gear up for earnings season. This earnings season is a conundrum: on the one hand, the US economy appears to be performing strongly and on the other, the geopolitical noise has not been this intense for many years.

Canada’s central bank is in focus with week with Wednesday’s interest rate decision.

On Thursday, US inflation figures are expected to show a 0.2% rise in CPI month on month and 2.9% year on year. On Friday, the University of Michigan Sentiment Index will be released for July, although this is a provisional figure.

 

 

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Securities Mentioned in Article

Security NamePriceChange (%)Morningstar
Rating
Comcast Corp Class A39.86 USD0.59Rating

About Author

James Gard

James Gard  is senior editor for Morningstar.co.uk

 

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