Markets mixed as Chinese data, France terror attack dominate... Gold sales surging in Japan...
Markets mixed as Chinese data, France terror attack dominate
Global markets are mixed Friday as Asian indexes focus on data from China while European bourses react to a terrorist attack in France.
China’s economic data release included GDP figures showing a 6.7 per cent growth for the economy in the second quarter compared to the same period of 2015. It rose 1.8 per cent compared to the first quarter of the year. Retail sales, fixed asset investment and industrial output were all higher.
Despite the data, Shanghai closed flat while other regional indexes fared better with Tokyo leading the pack.
In Europe, indexes are subdued by news of a terrorist attack in Nice, France. A lorry was driven into crowds celebrating Bastille Day, killing at least 84 people and injuring many more. The major markets are all trending lower.
Wall Street and Toronto are expected to open slightly lower with US retail sales and consumer price index data due.
Gold sales surging in Japan
Although equities are gaining currently, Japan’s investors are keen to ensure funds have a safe haven too. Gold sales in the country are rising fast with a 25 per cent increase year-to-date according to CNBC.
Although prime minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling coalition won control of Japan’s upper house last weekend, there is still political uncertainty and concern that ‘Abenomics’ has failed to produce the desired results.
Global markets are mixed Friday as Asian indexes focus on data from China while European bourses react to a terrorist attack in France.
China’s economic data release included GDP figures showing a 6.7 per cent growth for the economy in the second quarter compared to the same period of 2015. It rose 1.8 per cent compared to the first quarter of the year. Retail sales, fixed asset investment and industrial output were all higher.
Despite the data, Shanghai closed flat while other regional indexes fared better with Tokyo leading the pack.
In Europe, indexes are subdued by news of a terrorist attack in Nice, France. A lorry was driven into crowds celebrating Bastille Day, killing at least 84 people and injuring many more. The major markets are all trending lower.
Wall Street and Toronto are expected to open slightly lower with US retail sales and consumer price index data due.
| Latest | 1 month ago | 1 year ago | |
| North America (previous session) |
|||
| US Dow Jones | 18,506.41 (+0.73 per cent) | +4.91 per cent | +2.53 per cent |
| TSX Composite | 14,514.52 (+0.14 per cent) | +4.25 per cent | -1.01 per cent |
| Europe (at 4.30am ET) |
|||
| UK FTSE | 6,634.26 (-0.30 per cent) | +11.19 per cent | -1.77 per cent |
| German DAX | 10,070.95 (+0.03 per cent) | +4.83 per cent | -12.73 per cent |
| Asia (at close) |
|||
| China CSI 300 | 3,276.28 (-0.01 per cent) | +5.13 per cent | -17.41 per cent |
| Japan Nikkei | 16,497.85 (+0.68 per cent) | +3.63 per cent | -19.38 per cent |
| Other Data (at 4.30am ET) |
|||
| Oil (Brent) | Oil (WTI) | Gold | Can. Dollar |
| 46.83 (-1.14 per cent) |
45.18 (-1.07 per cent) |
1333.30 (+0.08 per cent) |
U$0.7754 |
| Aus. Dollar |
|||
| U$0.7652 | |||
Gold sales surging in Japan
Although equities are gaining currently, Japan’s investors are keen to ensure funds have a safe haven too. Gold sales in the country are rising fast with a 25 per cent increase year-to-date according to CNBC.
Although prime minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling coalition won control of Japan’s upper house last weekend, there is still political uncertainty and concern that ‘Abenomics’ has failed to produce the desired results.
