Get 40% Off
⚠ Earnings Alert! Which stocks are poised to surge?
See the stocks on our ProPicks radar. These strategies gained 19.7% year-to-date.
Unlock full list

GLOBAL MARKETS-Fed minutes in view, stocks shift higher

Published 05/07/2017, 10:30 pm
Updated 05/07/2017, 10:40 pm
© Reuters.  GLOBAL MARKETS-Fed minutes in view, stocks shift higher

(Adds more comment, U.S. stock futures)

* Asia recovers from wobble over North Korea

* U.S. markets seen marginally higher after July 4 holiday

* Eyes on Federal Reserve meeting minutes

* European PMI data solid, China's softer

* Graphic: World FX rates in 2017 http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh

By Patrick Graham

LONDON, July 5 (Reuters) - Stock markets rode out the latest rise in tensions around North Korea on Wednesday, with the main markets in Europe, Asia and the United States all inching higher as attention moved to minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve's last meeting.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS rose 0.3 percent, regaining half the losses it saw on Tuesday when North Korea fired a missile into Japanese waters.

The organisation's global shares index .MIWD00000PUS , however, reflected a relatively ambivalent global mood, rising less than 0.05 percent despite a handful of solid purchasing manager surveys in Europe.

New York's main indices were also set to open a touch higher after the July 54 break. 1YMc1 NQc1 ESc1

"It has been a relatively light week in terms of economic data so far and investors are desperately looking for drivers," said Arnaud Masset, an analyst with Swissquote.

"Given the recent weakness in inflation and lacklustre households' consumption data, it is more likely that the minutes highlight the concerns of FOMC members (about growth)."

A shift towards more hawkish language by several major central banks has dominated the past week. It has, for example, left markets unsure of how much longer emergency stimulus in Europe will continue to support asset prices.

For now investors seem to be giving policymakers the benefit of the doubt that the global economy can take any tightening of monetary policy, although the latest data on Wednesday was mixed -- strong in Europe and weaker in China. PMI-M

"North Korea has rattled markets but central bankers are more important," said Kathleen Brooks, research director at City Index in London.

"While North Korea's military ambitions are a background threat for markets, we don't think that this particular geopolitical event is at the stage yet where it will cause a spike in volatility."

South Korea's main index .KS11 rebounded by 0.36 percent and Japan's Nikkei .N225 ended up 0.25 percent.

Shanghai stocks rose more than 1 percent, despite a drop in the Caixin/Markit services purchasing managers' index (PMI) to 51.6 in June, from 52.8 in May. Markit's final composite Purchasing Managers' Index for the euro zone was 56.3 in June, down from May but comfortably beating a flash estimate, chalking up the best performance last quarter in over six years. markets were in limbo, the euro trading around a cent below last week's 14-month highs against the dollar, less than 0.2 percent lower on the day.

The dollar and yen were the main victims of the shift in language last week, but many analysts wonder whether the European Central Bank will be able to rein in money-printing later this year if the euro keeps gaining.

"I meet a lot of people while I talk to clients who think the ECB simply won't be able to escape its current policy setting because a stronger currency is too damaging," said Societe Generale (PA:SOGN) strategist Kit Juckes.

"The thought the ECB will resist pressure...is still leading many ... to look for cheaper levels to buy euro."

The dollar rose 0.2 percent higher against the basket of currencies used to measure its broader strength .DXY and slightly more against the yen to an almost two-month high of 113.69 yen. JPY=

For Reuters Live Markets blog on European and UK stock markets see reuters://realtime/verb=Open/url=http://emea1.apps.cp.extranet.thomsonreuters.biz/cms/?pageId=livemarkets

<^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Graphic: World FX rates in 2017

http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Editing by Richard Balmforth)

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.