Global Markets:
- Asian Stock Markets : Nikkei down 1.33%, Shanghai Composite up 0.31%, Hang Seng down 0.46%, ASX down 0.92%
- Commodities : Gold at $1756.70 (+0.95%), Silver at $15.82 (+2.03%), Brent Oil at $27.54 (-0.54%), WTI Oil at $19.94 (+0.35%)
- Rates : US 10-year yield at 0.649, UK 10-year yield at 0.304, Germany 10-year yield at -0.440
News & Data:
- (AUD) Unemployment Rate 5.20% vs 5.40% expected
- (AUD) Employment Change 5.9K vs -33.0K expected
- (CAD) Overnight Rate 0.25% vs 0.25% expected
- (USD) Retail Sales m/m -8.70% vs -8.00% expected
- (USD) Core Retail Sales m/m -4.50% vs -4.90% expected
- IMF boss says UK should seek longer Brexit transition
- New Zealand prime minister takes 20% pay cut amid coronavirus pandemic
Markets Update:
Asian stock markets are mixed on Thursday following the sharp losses overnight on Wall Street as weak U.S. economic data and corporate earnings results pointed to the damaging economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Globally, the number of coronavirus cases has topped more than 2 million, while more than 133,000 deaths related to the pandemic have also been reported.
The Nikkei 225 in Japan fell 1.3% whereas the Topix index dropped 0.8%. Mainland Chinese stocks edged higher in afternoon trade, with the Shanghai composite up 0.3% while the Shenzhen composite up 0.2%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index dipped 0.5%.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.9% as shares of major banks such as Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Westpac declined. The market has trimmed losses following the release of better-than-expected Australian jobs data for March.
The U.S. dollar extended its rally against the risk-sensitive Antipodean currencies, for its best two-day gains against the Australian and New Zealand dollars in a month. Oil prices rose in the afternoon of Asian trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures lower by 0.5%
Upcoming Events:
- 12:30 PM GMT – (USD) Unemployment Claims
- 12:30 PM GMT – (USD) Building Permits
- 12:30 PM GMT – (USD) Philly Fed Manufacturing Index