Asia
Despite the S&P 500 and NASDAQ both hitting record highs last night, Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Wednesday. China’s Shanghai Composite Index crept back above 3,200 points with a very modest daily rise, but Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 157 points or 0.5% to 29,805 points. Japan’s Nikkei was also softer.
The Bank of Japan meets this week and will produce its outlook report and rate decision on Thursday. After that, a range of economic data, including industrial production, retail sales and jobless figures, will be released.
Europe
The UK’s FTSE 100 eased back below 7,500 points today after yesterday’s move above this key technical level. Today saw oil giants BP (BP.) and Shell (RDSB) among the losers after Tuesday’s gains. The weakness in the index is despite a softening pound, which dropped below $1.30 this morning.
European exchanges were mixed again, with Paris’s CAC 40 marginally higher on Tuesday’s close and Germany’s DAX in the black despite a weaker reading from the Ifo’s three surveys on business climate, expectations and the current assessment of the economy.
North America
After yesterday’s move to record highs for the two of three main US markets, futures suggest a very modest loss on Wall Street at the open on Wednesday. Nevertheless, the S&P 500 and NASDAQ hit new record highs yesterday and the Dow Jones is within striking distance of its own record.
Facebook (FB) and Microsoft (MSFT) report on Wednesday, while Amazon (AMZN) reports after the market closes on Thursday. Some key Dow Jones names, including Boeiung (BA), Caterpillar (CAT) and Visa (V).
Canada’s central bank is expected to hold interest rates at 1.75% today. Friday will see US GDP for the first quarter released.
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