Global stocks mixed, Fed awaited... Middle East to suffer deadly heat...
Global stocks mixed, Fed awaited
The world’s stock markets are mixed so far Wednesday with Asia generally lower and Europe gaining.
Markets are awaiting the latest interest rate decision from the Fed with the monetary policy committee announcing its decision at 2pm ET. Although it is not expected to announce an increase this month there is hope that the prospect of a December increase will become clearer.
Asian markets have been hit by the lower prices of oil and other commodities and only Tokyo’s Nikkei closed higher on expectation that the Bank of Japan may step up stimulus measures.
European indexes are higher with Apple’s suppliers buoyed by the company’s strong results and better showing for Volkswagen and Heineken. There is some weakness in banking and resources stocks.
Wall Street and Toronto are expected to open higher following losses in the previous session.
Middle East to suffer deadly heat
Separate studies suggest that some parts of the Middle East will become uninhabitable for humans due to excessive heat caused by climate change. The studies, published in Nature Climate Change, conclude that cities such as Doha in Qatar and Kuwait City could become so hot that residents would only be able to survive in air conditioned buildings. Temperatures could hit 140 degrees in some cities, 6 degrees hotter than California’s infamous Death Valley. The potential for loss of life and economic disaster for the region are highlighted by the reports.
The world’s stock markets are mixed so far Wednesday with Asia generally lower and Europe gaining.
Markets are awaiting the latest interest rate decision from the Fed with the monetary policy committee announcing its decision at 2pm ET. Although it is not expected to announce an increase this month there is hope that the prospect of a December increase will become clearer.
Asian markets have been hit by the lower prices of oil and other commodities and only Tokyo’s Nikkei closed higher on expectation that the Bank of Japan may step up stimulus measures.
European indexes are higher with Apple’s suppliers buoyed by the company’s strong results and better showing for Volkswagen and Heineken. There is some weakness in banking and resources stocks.
Wall Street and Toronto are expected to open higher following losses in the previous session.
| Latest | 1 month ago | 1 year ago | |
| North America (previous session) |
|||
| US Dow Jones | 17,581.43 (-0.24 per cent) | +9.87 per cent | +3.39 per cent |
| TSX Composite | 13,699.60 (-0.66 per cent) | +5.34 per cent | -6.32 per cent |
| Europe (at 6.10am ET) |
|||
| UK FTSE | 6,387.02 (+0.34 per cent) | +7.19 per cent | -0.24 per cent |
| German DAX | 10,769.68 (+0.72 per cent) | +13.56 per cent | +18.76 per cent |
| Asia (at close) |
|||
| China CSI 300 | 3,524.92 (-1.89 per cent) | +8.70 per cent | +45.86 per cent |
| Japan Nikkei | 18,903.02 (+0.67 per cent) | +7.13 per cent | +23.31 per cent |
| Other Data (at 6.15am ET) |
|||
| Oil (Brent) | Oil (WTI) | Gold | Can. Dollar |
| 47.13 (+0.68 per cent) |
43.45 (+43.44 per cent) |
1171.50 (+0.49 per cent) |
U$0.7555 |
| Aus. Dollar |
|||
| U$0.7129 | |||
Middle East to suffer deadly heat
Separate studies suggest that some parts of the Middle East will become uninhabitable for humans due to excessive heat caused by climate change. The studies, published in Nature Climate Change, conclude that cities such as Doha in Qatar and Kuwait City could become so hot that residents would only be able to survive in air conditioned buildings. Temperatures could hit 140 degrees in some cities, 6 degrees hotter than California’s infamous Death Valley. The potential for loss of life and economic disaster for the region are highlighted by the reports.
