US stocks close at records on strong quarterly reports - 29.7.2019

Dollar strengthens despite slower Q2 GDP data

US stock market advance resumed on Friday led by technology shares. The S&P 500 rose 0.8% to record high 3025.86, rebounding 1.6% for the week. Dow Jones industrial gained 0.2% to 27192.45. The Nasdaq advanced 1.1% to 8330.21 buoyed by 12% rally in Alphabet after better than expected quarterly sales report. The dollar strengthening accelerated despite the Bureau of Economic Analysis report US gross domestic product slowed from April to June. 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, rose 0.2% to 97.99 and is higher currently. Stock index futures point to lower market openings today

FTSE 100 leads European indexes gains

European stocks ended higher on Friday after the European Central Bank signaled it could lower borrowing costs to counter a slowdown in the euro zone. EUR/USD joined GBP/USD’s slide with both pairs lower currently. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index gained 0.4% Friday. The DAX 30 added 0.5% to 12419.90. France’s CAC 40 advanced 0.6% and UK’s FTSE 100 rose 0.8% to 7549.06.

Hang Seng leads Asian indexes retreat

Asian stock indices are mostly falling today ahead of resumption of US-China trade talks in Beijing Tuesday. Nikkei fell 0.2% to 21616.80 as yen resumed its climb against the dollar. China’s markets are retreating with China officials saying they hope U.S. creates positive conditions for trade talks: the Shanghai Composite Index is down 0.1% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is 1.1% lower. Australia’s All Ordinaries Index however extended gains 0.5% with the Australian dollar slide against the greenback reversed.

Brent down

Brent futures prices are edging lower today on easing of Middle East tensions after weekend talks between Iran and major powers ended on a positive note. Prices rose on Friday on oil field services firm Baker Hughes report the number of U.S. oil rigs fell by three last week to 776: Brent for October settlement ended 0.2% higher at $63.37 a barrel Friday, nevertheless closing 1.5% higher for the week.