Trump tweets had “very good conversation with President Xi Jinping”
US equities advance continued on Thursday supported by President Trump’s upbeat tweet on trade talks with China. The S&P 500 rose 1.1% to 2740.37. Dow Jones industrial average gained 1.1% to 25380.74. The Nasdaq composite jumped 1.8% to 7434.06. The dollar strengthening reversed on mixed data: both the ISM and Markit’s manufacturing indexes declined more than expected while nonfarm productivity and unit labor costs rose above expectations: the live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, fell 0.8% to 96.294 and is lower currently. Futures on stock indices indicate higher openings today.
Trade hopes lift European stocks
European stocks rebound continued on Thursday. The EUR/USD joined GBP/USD’s sharp rise after report of progress at Brexit negotiations, and both are higher currently. The Stoxx Europe 600 index rose 0.4%. Germany’s DAX 30 gained 0.2% to 11468.54. France’s CAC 40 however lost 0.2% and UK’s FTSE 100 slipped 0.2% to 7114.66.
Hang Seng still ahead other Asian indices
Asian stock indices are extending gains today on trade tensions easing. Nikkei jumped 2.6% to 22243.66 as yen resumed slide against the dollar. Chinese stocks are sharply higher: the Shanghai Composite Index is up 2.7% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is 4.4% higher. Australia’s All Ordinaries Index ticked up 0.1% despite Australian dollar continued rise against the greenback.
Brent edges higher
Brent futures prices are inching higher today. Prices ended lower yesterday after reports global production rose considerably last month: Brent for January settlement closed 2.9% lower at $72.89 a barrel on Thursday.