By Business & Finance 
Equities rebound strongly as trade tariff tensions take a midweek break, but Eurozone data is mixed and the Brexit saga continues to create uncertainty, writes Ian Slattery.
Markets endured a tough start to the week following the escalation of the trade tariff dispute between the US and China, but softer tones emanated from both sides by mid-week.
Optimism rebounded as the week progressed and stocks had enjoyed their best week in nearly three months by the close on Friday evening. Trading volumes are also expected to pick up with the closing out of the summer holidays.
Ian Slattery
Eurozone data was mixed, with German data disappointing as inflation data hovered stubbornly around 1% – well below the 2% target. The Brexit saga continues to rumble on as Prime Minister Johnson ‘prorogued’ parliament; ending the current session.
In practical terms, it means parliament won’t meet until the middle of October, with opponents claiming the move is an attempt to stifle the Brexit debate in parliament.
Westminster is likely to see some further developments this week, but global markets have so far been largely unaffected.
| 1 Week Return
26.08.19 to 02.09.19 |
Year to Date Return
01.01.19 to 02.09.19 |
|||
| Local Currency | Euro | Local Currency | Euro | |
| World | 1.6% | 2.5% | 13.5% | 17.8% |
| U.S. | 1.6% | 2.7% | 17.0% | 22.1% |
| Europe | 2.3% | 2.3% | 14.3% | 14.3% |
| Ireland | 2.4% | 2.4% | 15.0% | 15.0% |
| U.K. | 1.6% | 2.0% | 6.3% | 5.7% |
| Japan | 2.2% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 10.2% |
| Hong Kong | -0.3% | 0.8% | 1.3% | 5.6% |
| Corporate Bonds | -0.1% | -0.1% | 7.5% | 7.5% |
| Sovereign Bonds | 1.2% | 1.2% | 15.7% | 15.7% |
Equities
Equities climbed higher last week, increasing by 2.5% in euro terms, and 1.6% in local terms.
Hong Kong was down -0.3% as the trade tariff dispute between the US and China continued.
Fixed Income & FX
The US 10-year yield moved lower last week to finish at 1.50%. The German equivalent also moved lower once again, and is now at – 0.69%. The Irish 10 year bond yield is at -0.07%. The Euro/US Dollar exchange rate finished at 1.09, whilst Euro/GBP was at 0.90.
Commodities
Oil finished the week lower at $55 per barrel. Gold finished the week at $1,522 per troy ounce. Copper increased to $5,655 US Nonfarm per tonne.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Tuesday 4th September: UK Services PMI goes to print.
Wednesday 5th September: US ISM manufacturing data for August is published.
Thursday 6th September: US Nonfarm payrolls and the unemployment rate for August are released.
The team at Zurich Investments is a long established and highly experienced team of investment managers who manage approximately €24.4bn in investments of which pension assets amount to €11.2bn. 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
