Markets update: Best in show

Eurozone, manufacturing and services PMIs had their best showing since April 2011 and the European Commission’s economic sentiment gauge hit a 17-year high, writes Ian Slattery.

Ian Slattery

Global markets rose last week fuelled by political developments on both sides of the Atlantic. Most significantly, optimism grew in relation to the US tax reform bill whilst coalition talks in Germany alongside the ongoing Brexit negotiations were seen as positives by the market.

However, stocks did pull back on Friday on the news that former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn had pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and was prepared to cooperate in the ongoing investigation into Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Global markets rose last week fuelled by political developments on both sides of the Atlantic.

Data releases were also positive, with Q3 GDP growth in the US being revised upwards to 3.3%. In the eurozone, manufacturing and services PMIs had their best showing since April 2011 and the European Commission’s economic sentiment gauge hit a 17 year high.

The global index in euro terms returned 0.9% last week, led by US stocks. Hong Kong was the worst performer in local terms, down 2.7%, although it remains up over 30% year to-date. Oil fell 1.0% over the course of the week, closing at $58.40/barrel.

The ten-year US bond yield closed the week at 2.36%, not much changed from 2.34% a week ago. The ten-year German equivalent closed at 0.30%. The EUR/USD rate finished the period at 1.19, whilst EUR/GBP was at 0.88.