Market Buzz: Banks' decision to keep interest rates and bond-buying stoke gains
Russian equities snapped from a three day loss despite poor manufacturing data that showed the first contraction in two years.
The MICEX advanced 1.65 percent to 1,398.46, and the dollar-based
RTS index climbed 0.15 percent to 1331.71.
Sberbank, Russia’s state-owned and largest lender, was one of the
leading equities, as it jumped 1.54 percent in day trading, but
fell 0.62 percent to 96.60 in the evening session, possibly a
lingering effect of their plagiarism scandal which prompted their
chief research editor to step down.
Russian stock success was reflected by the MSCI Emerging Markets
Index, which advanced for the first time in 7 days –
gaining 0.5 percent.
The Russian ruble eased against the US dollar, gaining 0.06
percent, at 33.0647 rubles per dollar.
WTI crude surged on US manufacturing data, hitting a three week
high of $108.59 per barrel, and Brent followed suit and made
significant gains to $110.00 per barrel. Friday’s floors may see
crude rise above Brent, as it did on July 19.
Equities on the New York Exchange hit record highs on positive
jobless data, as well as the Federal Reserve’s decision to
prolong quantitative easing.
A decision to dismantle the $85 million per month bond buying
program would hit stocks hard and lower prices, but would
strengthen them long-term.
The Dow Jones closed up 0.83 percent, the S&P gained 1.25
percent, and the Nasdaq jumped 1.36 percent.
The European Commission Bank’s announcement they would keep their
lending interest rates at a record 0.5 percent gave confidence to
Thursday’s market that should carry on into Friday. Equities are
still trading high on positive euro zone unemployment data.
Amsterdam’s Euro Stoxx 50 is up 1.46 percent at 2,808.64 ,
Germany’s DAX has gained 1.63 percent to 8,410.73, France’s CAC
40 is rallying 1.25 percent at 4,042.73, and London’s FTSE 100 is
up 0.92 percent at 6,681.98.
Asian stocks are also mostly high in anticipation of US jobs
data. The Nikkei is up 2.8 percent at 14,398.50, the Shanghai
Composite is up 0.35 percent at 2,036.07, and the Hong Kong Hang
Seng Index is up 0.51 percent at 22,202,12.
Australia’s ASX 200 benchmark has bounced back from yesterday’s
loss, and is trading up 0.88 percent at 5,105.80, even after
budget data revealed an AU$30 billion deficit – almost
double the projected amount.