Equity markets roared back to life in overnight trading. Better than forecast UK wages growth and US industrial production provided the background, and stronger US corporate reports provided the spur. Currencies and bonds remain calm, and commodities generally steady. Share market futures are pointing to a surge at the opening in Hong Kong and Tokyo.
Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley both reported well above expectations for the quarter. After market Netflix joined the party, adding to potential positive momentum today. Financials and tech stocks are likely to feature.
Interest in metals and energy may focus on local quarterly production reports. BHP told investors this morning that iron ore production missed estimates by around 1.5%, and lowered annual copper production targets. This may cause the Australian stock market to underperform the region today. St Barbara Mines and OZ Minerals will round out the mining outlook later this morning.
Significant hurdles remain. Italy delivered a budget overnight, but a number of factors are outside EU guidelines, and it may still face rejection. UK inflation data is due tonight, as well as the release of the latest FOMC meeting minutes. The RBA’s deputy governor Guy Debelle is speaking today on labour market conditions, and any hints that the RBA sees wages growth above forecasts could also weigh on trading.
