Dollar weakens on slow inflation
US stock market rebounded Friday buoyed by US negotiators’ description of trade talks with China as ‘constructive’ despite tariffs hike to 25% from 10% on $200 billion of Chinese imports. The S&P 500 rose 0.4% to 2881.40, ending 2.1% lower for the week. Dow Jones industrial gained 0.4% to 25942.37. The Nasdaq added 0.1% to 7916.94. The dollar weakening continued on a report consumer prices rose a below expected 0.3% on month in April. The live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, lost 0.1% to 97.30 but is higher currently. Futures on US stock indexes point to lower openings today.
DAX 30 outperforms European indexes
European stocks recovered on Friday supported by positive data. the EUR/USD continued climbing while GBP/USDturned lower and both are lower currently. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index added 0.3%. The DAX 30 advanced 0.7% to 12059.83 as exports rose in March when a decline was expected. France’s CAC 40 edged up 0.3% while UK’s FTSE 100 slipped 0.1% to 7203.29 despite better than expected 0.5% Q1 GDP.
Shanghai Composite leads Asian indexes losses
Asian stock indices are solidly lower today after Vice Premier Liu He said that Beijing would not compromise on matters of principle after tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods were raised from 10% to 25%. Nikkei lost 0.7% to 21191.28 as yen’s climb against the dollar resumed. Mainland China’s markets are lower with Hong Kong’s market closed for a holiday: the Shanghai Composite Index is down 1.2%. Australia’s All Ordinaries Index is 0.2% lower despite the Australian dollar resumed slide against the greenback.
Brent up
Brent futures prices are extending gains today. Prices rose Friday: July Brent crude added 0. 3% to $70.62 a barrel on Friday.