Thursday, 25 January 2018

Asian markets close in red territory; ECB meeting eyed

Posted by Olga Gorinina at 10:12 Labels: ,

Asian stock markets traded mainly lower on Thursday as the greenback extended its path to the downside following remarks by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin from Davos.

Mnuchin said a weaker greenback is good for the economy, although reassuring the dollar will not lose its place as the primary world trade and reserve currency.

“A weaker dollar is good for us as it relates to trade and opportunities. Longer term, the strength of the dollar is a reflection of the strength of the US economy and that it is, and will continue to be, the primary reserve currency.”

The Japanese benchmark Nikkei 225 was down 1.13 percent or 271.29 points at 23,669.49, with financials, manufacturing, automakers ending in red numbers. These sectors are feeling the pressure of a stronger yen as the dollar continues to soften across the board.

The US dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major currencies, was trading 0.16 percent lower at 88.87 by the time of this writing.

The S&P/ASX 200 suffered some minor losses, with materials rising as dollar-denominated commodities enjoy of a stronger demand, but with financials weighing on the index.

Wall Street top indexes closed mixed near fresh record highs, with Dow Jones industrial average standing at 26,252.12, the S&P 500 easing half a percent and the Nasdaq too.

<<< Asian Stock Indexes at 07:40 GMT >>>

Australia ASX S&P                -4.10               -0.07%            6,164.70
Shanghai Composite             -11.16             -0.31%            3,548.31
Hong Kong Hang Seng          -220.69           -0.67%            32,738.00
Japan Nikkei 225                   -271.29           -1.13%            23,669.49
Taiwan TSEC 50 Index          +13.79            +0.12%           11,165.95

<<< Next in Europe >>>

In Europe, Germany’s GfK consumer climate for February is due for release at 07:00 GMT (Forecast: 10.8), while business expectations (Forecast: 109.4) and current assessment (Forecast: 125.4) for January will be out as of 09:00 GMT. The lfo business climate index for January will be available by that same hour (Forecast: 117.1).


However, Investors will be focusing mainly at the European Central Bank monetary policy meeting and a speech by President Mario Draghi following an official statement. The interest rate decision will be announced at 12:45 GMT, while Draghi is set to speak at 13:30 GMT.

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