Site icon Business & Finance

Markets Update: Stocks take some shocks

Markets were lower as higher rate expectations weigh on equities, and Q3 earnings season continues with big business reporting numbers this week, writes Ian Slattery.

Ian Slattery

Equity markets were sharply lower last week as interest rate expectations continued to weigh on markets. US treasuries, most notably the 10 year bond, have broken through key levels of resistance. US stocks saw their worst weekly performance since March, with the tech sector under pressure.

Early in the week the IMF dialled down its global growth expectations, noting the risks that the US/China trade tensions pose to the world economy. Within the eurozone, Italian bond prices were hit as the government proceeded with a deficit widening budget plan.

Oil saw some volatile trading as tensions rose between Saudi Arabia and a number of Western governments over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The global index was down over 4% last week, with all the major markets in negative territory.

Oil was lower over the course of the week, and closed at $71/barrel. Gold closed higher at $1218 per troy ounce, as risk aversion rose in markets.

The 10 year US bond yield finished at 3.16%, having started the year at 2.41%. The German equivalent also closed higher at 0.50, with spreads between German and Italian debt also widening.

The EUR/USD rate finished the week at 1.16 with the EUR/GBP rate at 0.88.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday 16th October

Q3 earnings continues with Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Johnston & Johnston, and Netflix all reporting numbers.

Wednesday 17th October

Eurozone CPI inflation data for September goes to print, where the consensus is for an increase of 0.2% (MoM).

The minutes of the latest Fed FOMC meeting are released, which will be closely watched by the market for further indications of interest rate moves.

The team at Zurich Investments is a long established and highly experienced team of investment managers who manage approximately €22.9bn in investments of which pension assets amount to €10.4bn. Find out more about Zurich Life’s funds and investments here.

w: zurichlife.ie/funds t: @ZurichLife
l: linkedin.com/company/zurich-life-assurance-plc

Warning: Past performance is not a reliable guide to future performance. Benefits may be affected by changes in currency exchange rates. The value of your investment may go down as well as up. If you invest in these funds you may lose some or all of the money you invest.

Exit mobile version