Morning Briefing: Mixed markets on regional issues

Mixed markets on regional issues
Regional issues are dominating markets Thursday while a variety of data is also being digested.

Asian markets closed mixed as the Nikkei was pressured by a further fall for cash-strapped tech firm Toshiba and Shanghai closed higher despite data showing much weaker-than-expected foreign direct investment last month.

Sydney’s ASX gained as data showed stronger employment figures although mainly in part-time roles.

European markets are focusing on regional earnings and the start of the G20 Finance Ministers meeting in Germany. The ECB will also publish its January meeting minutes. Most European indexes are trending lower so far.

Wall Street and Toronto are expected to open lower. US housing data and jobless claims figures are due.
 

	Latest	1 month ago	1 year ago
North America (previous session)
US Dow Jones	20,611.86 (+0.52 per cent)	+3.65 per cent	+27.26 per cent
TSX Composite	15,844.95 (+0.37 per cent)	+2.36 per cent	+26.20 per cent
Europe (at 5.00am ET)
UK FTSE	7,272.69 (-0.41 per cent)	-0.74 per cent	+24.06 per cent
German DAX	11,773.23 (-0.18 per cent)	+1.89 per cent	+28.88 per cent
Asia (at close)
China CSI 300	3,440.93 (+0.56 per cent)	+3.66 per cent	+13.30 per cent
Japan Nikkei	19,347.53 (-0.47 per cent)	+1.32 per cent	+20.51 per cent
Other Data (at 5.00am ET)
Oil (Brent)	Oil (WTI)	Gold	Can. Dollar
55.75 (-0.00 per cent)	53.16 (+0.09 per cent)	1238.20 (+0.41 per cent)	U$0.7665
			Aus. Dollar
			U$0.7693

Snap valuation at lower end of range says WSJ
One of the most high-anticipated IPOs in recent times is drawing closer. Tech firm Snap, operator of the popular social media platform Snapchat, will go public within a few weeks, with March 2nd
being touted.

The Wall Street Journal says that the company has set its valuation at the lower end of its expected $20-$25 billion; somewhere between $19.5bn and $22.5bn, or $14-$16 per share.