Stocks caught between weak Asian data and the prospect of trade negotiations



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Friday 08:10 GMT

What do you want to know

  • European stock markets make stable debut after more hectic race in Asia
  • Global investors measure hopes for high-level trade talks against weak data
  • China down from PMI
  • The renminbi weakens after its 6-month high
  • Oil prices rise slightly

Hot topic

European equities had a steady start on Friday, after a more turbulent period in Asia, as investors measured other weak economic data compared to hopes for high-level talks aimed at easing the US-led trade war. United and China.

Meanwhile, as investors waited for employment data in the US, the dollar remained above its January lows, hit after the US Federal Reserve announced the end of its tightening cycle. The tracking index was stable at 95,568. The January non-farm payrolls report showed the creation of 165,000 jobs during the month, with annual average earnings up 3.2%.

The Stoxx 600 in Europe as a whole rose 0.2% while the Xetra Dax 30 in Frankfurt lost 0.1%. The London FTSE 100 also rose 0.2%. According to the first US futures, the S & P 500 will extend its best January performance since 1987 with a 0.1% rise in opening trade. It added 0.9% overnight.

The US-China trade talks in Washington ended with US President Donald Trump, suggesting that he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to settle the most controversial points.

Washington and Beijing both said progress was made during the talks, but gave little detail. Robert Lighthizer, US Trade Representative, said he and Steven Mnuchin, US Treasury Secretary, were planning to travel to Beijing after the Lunar New Year holiday, to resume negotiations.

In Asia, the broader impact of the tariff battle has resulted in a series of data for the region.

China's CPI index fell to its lowest level in almost three years in early 2019, showing that the sector contracted for a second consecutive month and that it was clear that the slowdown of the Chinese economy had begun. However, export orders have risen to the highest since March.

The continental CSI 300 gained 1.4% after posting its best month in almost three years in January. However, Hong Kong's Hang Seng has not moved, leaving it at its highest level in five months.

South Korean exports fell 5.8% in January, according to a preliminary reading of the government, while the index of Nikkei-Markit purchasing managers showed that the manufacturing sector had further retreated , with export sales declining for a sixth consecutive month. Kospi Seoul lost 0.1%, its highest level in nearly four months.

Taiwan, which relies heavily on exports to China, also saw a decline in activity in its manufacturing sector. The PMI fell to its lowest level since August 2015 due to lower exports. The TWSE Taiwan 50 slipped 0.2%.

Japan's Topix slipped 0.2% after peaking six weeks earlier in the session.

Forex and fixed income

The 10-year US Treasury yields were 2.629%.

The onshore renminbi, which is allowed to trade 2% on both sides of a daily midpoint set by the People's Bank of China, has weakened by 0.5% to 6.7322 Rmb. The currency had its best month of the year in January, reaching its highest level since July. The offshore renminbi was 0.6% lower at 6.749.

The yen moved little at ¥ 108.83 per dollar and the euro was also flat, trading at $ 1.1441. Sterling was stable at $ 1.3096.

Basic products

Oil prices rose, with Brent rising 0.1% to $ 60.97 a barrel and the West Texas Intermediate market up 0.1% to $ 53.86.

Gold prices fell 0.2 percent to $ 1,318 an ounce, but remained close to their highest level in almost nine months.

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