UK Market Snapshot
UK markets finished in the negative territory on Friday, weighed down by losses in precious metal miners and disappointing corporate results. Berendsen plunged 11.4%, after the company warned that the costs of rectifying problems with plant and machinery in the UK would hurt its earnings for 2017. WPP plummeted 8.0%, after the company’s revenue growth slowed in the second half of 2016 due to fewer business in its UK and US markets and it provided a dismal growth outlook for 2017. Randgold Resources, Fresnillo and Hochschild Mining dropped, 0.7%, 2.9% and 6.6%, respectively. London Stock Exchange Group slipped 0.9%, after the company reported a fall in its net profit for 2016 following acquisition and other costs. On the flipside, Merlin Entertainments, WH Smith and Hunting advanced 1.3%, 3.3% and 5.8%, respectively. The FTSE 100 declined 0.1%, to close at 7,374.3, while the FTSE 250 fell 0.4%, to settle at 18,882.9.
US Market Snapshot
US markets closed higher on Friday. Meanwhile, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairwoman, Janet Yellen’s comments reinforced expectations that the central bank would hike interest rate at its upcoming meeting. Snap jumped 10.7%, extending its rally from the previous session. Big Lots gained 3.8%, after it reported better than expected earnings for the fourth quarter. However, its sales for the quarter trailed market expectations. Merck and Caterpillar added 0.8% each. On the downside, Nutanix plunged 26.1%, after it projected downbeat revenue for the third quarter and a higher than expected loss for the same quarter. Costco Wholesale dropped 4.3%, as it posted lower than expected growth in its same-store sales for the second quarter. The S&P 500 gained 0.1%, to settle at 2,383.1. The DJIA rose marginally, to settle at 21,005.7, while the NASDAQ advanced 0.2%, to close at 5,870.8.
Europe Market Snapshot
Other European markets ended mostly lower on Friday, as investors were cautious ahead of the Fed Chair, Janet Yellen’s speech. Clariant, Roche Holding and Adecco Group dropped 0.6%, 0.7% and 1.0%, respectively. LafargeHolcim dipped 0.5%, following a broker downgrade on the stock to ‘Hold’ from ‘Buy’. On the positive side, Gemalto surged 7.8%, after the company posted upbeat results for the full year. Sanofi advanced 1.2%, after the company inked a deal with AstraZeneca to develop and commercialize MEDI8897 for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated illness in newborns and infants. UBS Group, Zurich Insurance Group and Credit Suisse Group added 0.6%, 0.8% and 1.1%, respectively. The FTSEurofirst 300 index declined 0.1%, to close at 1,481.0. Among other European markets, the German DAX Xetra 30 slid 0.3%, to close at 12,027.4, while the French CAC-40 advanced 0.6%, to settle at 4,995.1.
Asia Market Snapshot
Markets in Asia are trading mostly higher this morning. In Japan, exporters, Canon, Sony and Panasonic have declined 0.4%, 0.9% and 1.0%, respectively, amid a stronger Japanese Yen. On the contrary, land mine makers, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Ishikawa Seisakusho have advanced 0.3%, 0.4% and 4.7%, respectively. In Hong Kong, oil stocks, PetroChina, China Petroleum & Chemical and Sinopec Oilfield Service have gained 0.5%, 0.7% and 2.6%, respectively. Gaming stocks, Sands China and Galaxy Entertainment Group have risen 0.5% and 0.8%, respectively. In South Korea, POSCO and Samsung Electronics have climbed 0.4% and 1.3%, respectively. The Nikkei 225 index is trading 0.5% lower at 19,378.8. The Hang Seng index is trading 0.4% up at 23,640.0, while the Kospi index is trading 0.1% higher at 2,080.7.
Key Corporate Announcements Today
AGMs
Energiser Investments, Collagen Solutions PLC
EGMs
Energiser Investments Plc
Interim Dividend Payment Date
Trading Announcements
EasyJet
Key Corporate Announcements for Tomorrow
AGMs
CareTech Holding, JPMorgan Russian Securities
EGMs
Dunelm Group, Hargreaves Lansdown, LGO Energy
Trading Announcements
Ashtead Group, McCarthy & Stone
Key Economic News
UK services PMI dropped in February
In February, the services PMI in the UK recorded a drop to 53.30, compared to market expectations of a drop to 54.10. In the previous month, the services PMI had registered a reading of 54.50.
UK official reserves rose in February
Official reserves in the UK advanced $360.00 million, in February. Official reserves had registered a rise of $810.00 million in the prior month.
Euro-zone retail sales unexpectedly slid in January
On a MoM basis, the seasonally adjusted retail sales in the Euro-zone registered an unexpected drop of 0.10% in January, lower than market expectations for an advance of 0.30%. Retail sales had registered a revised drop of 0.50% in the prior month.
Euro-zone composite PMI climbed in February
The final composite PMI advanced to 56.00 in February, in the Euro-zone, at par with market expectations. Composite PMI had registered a level of 54.40 in the prior month. The preliminary figures had also recorded an advance to 56.00.
Euro-zone services PMI climbed in February
In February, the final services PMI advanced to 55.50 in the Euro-zone, compared to market expectations of a rise to 55.60. Services PMI had recorded a level of 53.70 in the prior month. The preliminary figures had indicated a rise to 55.60.
German retail sales advanced more than expected in January
Retail sales recorded a rise of 2.30% on a YoY basis in January, in Germany, compared to a revised advance of 0.40% in the previous month. Markets were anticipating retail sales to rise 0.70%.
German retail sales unexpectedly slid in January
On a MoM basis, in Germany, retail sales unexpectedly fell 0.80% in January, lower than market expectations for a rise of 0.30%. In the previous month, retail sales had registered a revised flat reading.
German services PMI climbed in February
In February, the final services PMI recorded a rise to 54.40 in Germany, compared to a level of 53.40 in the previous month. Market expectation was for services PMI to advance to a level of 54.40. The preliminary figures had also recorded a rise to 54.40.
French services PMI advanced in February
The final services PMI in France recorded a rise to 56.40 in February, compared to a level of 54.10 in the prior month. The preliminary figures had indicated a rise to 56.70. Markets were anticipating services PMI to rise to a level of 56.70.
Italian services PMI climbed in February
The services PMI rose to a level of 54.10 in February, in Italy, higher than market expectations of a rise to a level of 52.80. In the prior month, the services PMI had registered a reading of 52.40.
Italian GDP advanced as expected in 4Q 2016
The final gross domestic product (GDP) climbed 0.20% in Italy on a quarterly basis in 4Q 2016, compared to an advance of 0.30% in the previous quarter. The preliminary figures had also indicated a rise of 0.20%. Markets were anticipating the GDP to rise 0.20%.
Spanish services PMI climbed in February
In Spain, the services PMI registered a rise to 57.70 in February, compared to market expectations of an advance to a level of 55.20. The services PMI had registered a level of 54.20 in the previous month.
US Markit services PMI dropped in February
In February, the final Markit services PMI in the US registered a drop to 53.80, compared to a reading of 55.60 in the previous month. Markets were expecting Markit services PMI to fall to 54.00. The preliminary figures had recorded a fall to 53.90.
US non-manufacturing PMI climbed surprisingly in February
In February, the non-manufacturing PMI in the US recorded an unexpected rise to 57.60, compared to market expectations of an unchanged reading. In the previous month, the non-manufacturing PMI had registered a reading of 56.50.
US Markit composite PMI dropped in February
The final Markit composite PMI registered a drop to 54.10 in the US, in February, compared to a reading of 55.80 in the prior month. The preliminary figures had recorded a fall to 54.30.
Fed’s Yellen hinted at March interest rate hike
The Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairwoman, Janet Yellen, dropped a strong hint that an interest rate hike is on the way later this month. She stated that another hike “would likely be appropriate” if US employment and inflation continue to evolve in line with expectations of the policy making committee. She further added that the process of scaling back accommodation will not be as slow as it was in 2015 and 2016.
Japanese consumer confidence index eased unexpectedly in February
In Japan, the consumer confidence index registered an unexpected drop to a level of 43.10 in February, lower than market expectations of an advance to a level of 43.50. In the prior month, the consumer confidence index had registered a level of 43.20.