Global equities track US markets’ retreat - 11.10.2018

Dow logs worst daily drop in 8 months

US equities pulled back on Wednesday as Treasury yields remained at elevated levels. The S&P 500 fell 3.3% to 2785.68 led by technology shares. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 3.2% to 25589.74. Nasdaq composite index dropped 4.1% to 7422.05. The dollar weakening accelerated despite report wholesale prices measured by producer price index rose faster in September than the previous month: 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, fell 0.24% to 95.455 and is lower currently. Futures on stock indices indicate lower openings today.

CAC 40 opens lower than other European indices

European stocks resumed the slide on Wednesday as the selloff in US market added to concerns about Italy’s budget deficit and rising bond yields. The EUR/USD joined GBP/USD’s climb. The single currency is rising currently against the dollar while the Pound is lower. The Stoxx Europe 600 lost 1.6%. Germany’s DAX 30 slumped 2.2% to 11712.50.France’s CAC 40 fell 1.1% and UK’s FTSE 100 lost 1.3% to 7145.74. Markets opened 1.4% - 1.7% lower today.

Shanghai Composite leads Asian indices losses

Asian stock indices are all in red after a tumbl on Wall Street overnight. Nikkei fell 3.9% to 22890.86 as yen continued advancing against the dollar. China’s stocks are falling: the Shanghai Composite Index is down 5.2% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is 3.2% lower. Australia’s All Ordinaries Index fell 2.7% as the Australian dollar turned higher against the greenback.

Brent lower

Brent futures prices are extending losses today while supported by supply tightening concerns as US sanctions are re-imposed on Iran in November. Prices fell as Hurricane Michael closed on Florida. Yesterday the American Petroleum Institute reported that US crude supplies rose 9.7 million barrels last week. Prices fell: December Brent crude lost 2.3% to $83.09 a barrel on Wednesday. Today at 16:30 CET the Energy Information Administration will release US Crude Oil Inventories.