- A + A LONDON (May 16): European stocks slipped on Monday and Wall Street was set for a lower open, as investor sentiment struggled to recover from last week's sell off amid fears of a slowdown in economic growth. Global shares hit their lowest point in 18 months last week, with investors worried that rising interest rates to counter high inflation will damage the global economy. Unexpectedly weak economic data kept from China kept those worries in centre stage on Monday. April retail sales plunged 11.1% on the year, almost twice the fall forecast, as full or partial Covid-19 lockdowns were imposed in dozens of cities. Industrial output dropped 2.9% when analysts had looked for a slight increase. At 1104 GMT, the MSCI world equity index, which tracks shares in 50 countries, was up around 0.1% on the day, struggling to recover from last week's lows. Europe's STOXX 600 was down 0.2%, while London's FTSE 100 was down flat. US stock index futures pointed to a … [Read more...] about Stock markets struggle as fears over economy grow
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Hong Kong becomes world’s must-watch market
FOR global investors trying to the gauge the fallout from surging interest rates and slowing economic growth, Hong Kong is quickly emerging as a must-watch market. Perhaps nowhere else is as exposed to two of the biggest worries roiling global asset prices – the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) rapidly tightening monetary policy and China’s sputtering economy. While Hong Kong’s US$466bil (RM2 trillion) foreign-reserves stockpile and plentiful interbank liquidity suggest little chance of an imminent crisis, signs of financial stress are building. This week saw the city intervene to prop up its pegged currency for the first time since 2019. Its stock market has tumbled this year at one of the fastest rates globally. Home prices in the world’s least affordable property market are falling and signs of capital flight are multiplying, after portfolio outflows last year topped US$100bil (RM440bil) for only the second time since Hong Kong’s 1997 handover to China. “There’s a lot the city … [Read more...] about Hong Kong becomes world’s must-watch market
Stocks Mixed as Retail Sales Drop Most in 10 Months
U.S. stocks again started the day mixed after a report said that U.S. retail and food services fell more than expected last month. Investors are also digesting a slew of quarterly earnings reports from banks, as JPMorgan Chase & Co. ( JPM ) and Citigroup Inc. ( C ) recorded income declines, while Wells Fargo & Company ( WFC ) said that profit jumped. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and the S&P 500 are poised to finish the week lower, while the Nasdaq may end up higher for the week. All three major indexes finished lower yesterday. Key Takeaways Stocks are mixed again this morning, with the Nasdaq gaining and the Dow and S&P 500 falling. Retail and food sales sank 1.9% in December, marking the biggest drop in 10 months. JPMorgan and Citigroup reported falling quarterly profit, while Wells Fargo reported fourth quarter profit that beat analysts' forecasts. The University of Michigan will release its Consumer Sentiment Index for … [Read more...] about Stocks Mixed as Retail Sales Drop Most in 10 Months
Stocks’ Decline Steepens on Bullard’s Rate Hike Comments, Inflation Data
Stocks fell further this afternoon as the Fed's James Bullard said he'd like to see rates a full percentage point higher by July. Bullard backs at least a half-point hike on the way to a full point gain before July, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis president told Bloomberg News in an interview today. Bullard votes on monetary policy. Key Takeaways Stocks fell further this afternoon as the Fed's James Bullard said he'd like to see rates a full percentage point higher by July. Stocks had been pulling back from the morning's steep declines as strong corporate earnings from Walt Disney and Mattel partially offset stronger-than-expected inflation data. The Consumer Price Index report released today revealed an annual inflation rate of 7.5%, higher than expected and the largest increase in 40 years. Bond yields rose to their highest since July 2019. Today's Market Movers Stocks had pulled back from the morning's steep declines, with some indexes moving … [Read more...] about Stocks’ Decline Steepens on Bullard’s Rate Hike Comments, Inflation Data
Stocks’ Rout Continues as Rates and Russia Rattle Investors
Stocks swooned as monetary policy , geopolitics, and corporate earnings stoked fears, again rattling investors, who scurried for safer investments. Key Takeaways Stocks fall again as monetary policy, geopolitics, and corporate earnings stoked fears Rattled investors scurried for safer investments, pushing bond and gold prices higher. The VIX, the so-called "fear index," climbed higher, continuing a steep ascent that began with the new year. The Nasdaq is down more than 300 points, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is close to 300 points lower. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX)—the so-called "fear index"—climbed higher, continuing a steep ascent that began with the new year. Concerns that sent major averages lower yesterday—before markets reversed and roared back to finish the day higher—are back today: rising interest rates as the Fed begins its two-day meeting, and the possibility of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. Investors are also weighing a … [Read more...] about Stocks’ Rout Continues as Rates and Russia Rattle Investors
Nasdaq Correction Deepens as Stocks Slide on Rate Concerns
U.S. equity markets are falling, with the Nasdaq sinking deeper into correction territory as shares of streaming service providers drop. Key Takeaways U.S. equity markets are falling, on their way to further weekly declines, as the Nasdaq sinks deeper into correction territory. Shares of streaming service providers are dropping after Netflix reported slowing subscriber growth. Crude oil futures are falling for a second day. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note is sinking, now at 1.76%. Netflix, Inc. ( NFLX ) is the worst-performing stock in the S&P 500, with shares plunging on its slowing subscriber growth. The news is dragging down shares of The Walt Disney Company ( DIS ) and others in the online entertainment sector. Shares of smaller banks are continuing their week-long decline, led by Huntington Bancshares Incorporated ( HBAN ) following its earnings report. Shares of Intel Corporation ( INTC ) and other semiconductor companies are higher on … [Read more...] about Nasdaq Correction Deepens as Stocks Slide on Rate Concerns
Stocks Drop as Blowout Jobs Report Increases Rate-Hike Jitters
Stocks are falling after hiring in January blew past expectations, raising concerns that the Federal Reserve will lift interest rates aggressively to prevent the economy from overheating. The U.S. added 467,000 jobs last month, the Labor Department reported today. That crushed economists' expectations for 150,000 hires, driving stocks lower despite Amazon.com, Inc. ( AMZN ) gaining after a solid earnings report . Key Takeaways Stocks are falling for a second day after January hiring crushed expectations and raised concerns that the Federal Reserve will lift interest rates aggressively. Amazon is gaining around 10% and Snap more than 40% after reporting solid earnings growth. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note jumped past 1.9%, its highest in more than a year. Crude oil soared past $90 per barrel. The Dow Jones Industrial Average , S&P 500 , and Nasdaq indexes are all lower, following big declines in each yesterday. Crude oil soared past $90 per … [Read more...] about Stocks Drop as Blowout Jobs Report Increases Rate-Hike Jitters
Stocks Gain as Tech Rallies and Investors Await Fed Rate Decision
U.S. stock futures are moving higher, led by technology shares on the Nasdaq exchange, after another volatile day of trading ahead of an announcement from Federal Reserve policymakers about the future of monetary policy . Key Takeaways U.S. stock futures are moving sharply higher, led by technology shares on the Nasdaq exchange. Traders are awaiting a 2 p.m. Eastern time announcement from Federal Reserve policymakers about the future of monetary policy. Cryptocurrencies' rally continued. Oil again marched higher, and the dollar strengthened against the euro. Bond yields fell. Microsoft Corporation ( MSFT ) helped lead tech shares higher after reporting fiscal second quarter results that beat expectations while forecasting better-than-expected quarterly sales for the current quarter. Tesla, Inc. ( TSLA ), scheduled to report earnings after markets close today, is also gaining. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was down more than 800 points … [Read more...] about Stocks Gain as Tech Rallies and Investors Await Fed Rate Decision
Stocks’ Rout Deepens as Oil Soars and Russian Invasion Raises Recovery Worries
U.S. equity markets are sinking as Russia escalates attacks on Ukraine, raising concerns about disruptions of oil and other commodities. The Dow at one point was down more than 600 points, while crude oil approached $107 a barrel. Key Takeaways The Dow Jones fell more than 600 points as crude oil surged past $105 a barrel and financial and travel company shares slumped. Wheat and corn futures traded limit up as both Russia and Ukraine are major exporters, with wheat hitting prices not seen since 2008. Retailers including Target and Walmart are trading higher. Oil prices are soaring to more than $105 a barrel, the highest they’ve been since 2014. Wheat and corn futures traded limit up as both Russia and Ukraine are major exporters. Wheat prices are at levels not seen since 2008. Investors continued to put money into haven investments. Bond prices are rising with the yield on the 10-year Treasury note falling another 11 basis points (BPS) to 1.72%. Gold and … [Read more...] about Stocks’ Rout Deepens as Oil Soars and Russian Invasion Raises Recovery Worries
Market Wrap: Powell Sticks to Rate Hike, Ford Announces EV Move, AutoZone Soars
Federal Reserve President Jerome Powell told Congress while the Fed still plans to hike interest rates to combat inflation, the economic impact from the invasion of Ukraine remains “highly uncertain,” and policymakers will need to be “nimble” in responding to new information. Key Takeaways Stocks are moving higher, gaining back ground lost yesterday, despite the Federal Reserve saying interest rates will move higher this month. ADP reported private-sector jobs jumped more than anticipated last month. Ford, Chevron, Hewlett-Packard Enterprises, and AutoZone are among companies gaining today. Solid economic and corporate news is edging stocks higher. All three major indices are up more than 1%, clawing back some of yesterday's losses. Almost all of the stocks in the Dow are rising. Shares of Chevron Corp. ( CVX ) and other energy companies are higher as the fighting in Ukraine increases concerns about disruptions in oil supplies. Oil futures reached the highest … [Read more...] about Market Wrap: Powell Sticks to Rate Hike, Ford Announces EV Move, AutoZone Soars