Global Markets Today: Asia, Europe Mixed As Investors Search For Next Catalyst, Dollar Weakens
Global investors are on the hunt for the next positive catalyst after a massive market rally. Morgan Stanley's chief U.S. equity strategist has warned of a short-term correction in U.S. equities.
The Dow futures are down marginally by 0.05%, and the S&P 500 futures are near flat on the last check early Thursday. WTI crude futures have gained 0.24% to $45.39, and gold futures are up 0.66% to $1,842.30. Ten-year Treasury yield is down by 0.3 bps at 0.943%, closer to the critical 1% mark.
Asia: Japan's Nikkei 225 stayed near a 29-year high, closing 0.03% higher on Thursday as foreign investors remained net buyers in Japanese stocks. The nation's services activity ticked higher to 47.8 in November.
China's Shanghai Composite benchmark fell 0.21% after the U.S. Congress cleared a bill that threatens to delist Chinese securities in the U.S. on non-compliance with audit rules. The country's November services PMI improved significantly to 57.8, beating the consensus of 56.5.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index advanced 0.73% after its manufacturing activity for November hit 50.1, the highest since April 2018.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 closed up 0.38% after the continent's October trade surplus expanded to A$7.46 billion. October retail sales data is due later today.
India's Nifty 50 index is trading higher by 0.15%. Its services activity for November dipped to 53.7, a big miss from 55.5 consensuses. India's central bank has put curbs on the digital and credit card operations of one of the largest lenders, HDFC Bank Limited (NYSE: HDB).
South Korea's KOSPI jumped 0.76%. It's forex reserves jumped to $436.38 billion in November.
Europe: Euro Stoxx 50 is trading lower by 0.18% on press time. The bloc's October PPI fell 2% year-over-year but grew 0.4% YoY, beating consensus on both counts. The unemployment rate ticked lower to 8.4%, as expected. Composite PMI and retail sales data is due later today.
London's FTSE 100 index is up by 0.07% at publication time. Composite and services PMI data is due today.
Germany's DAX is trading lower by 0.25% after November services activity contracted significantly to 46, from 49.5 prior. November's Composite PMI contracted to 51.7 from 55 previous.
France's CAC 40 is down by 0.27% after French services PMI in November fell drastically to 38.8 from 46.5 prior.
Spain's IBEX 35 is trading lower by 0.37% after the Spanish services activity index fell to 39.5.
Forex Trading: U.S. Dollar Index futures have fallen below the critical 91 levels, down 0.19% at 90.948. The dollar has weakened against the Euro by 0.05% to $1.2121, lost 0.28% against the Sterling Pound to $1.3401, and shed 0.12% against the Japanese Yen to ¥104.27.
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