Stock market

Logo of the London Stock Exchange. Wall Street was mixed in late morning trading, with the blue-chip Dow and broader S&P 500 both modestly higher, but the Nasdaq fell 1.0 per cent. In Europe, London's FTSE 100 ended the day with a small gain, while in Paris the CAC 40 was flat and the Frankfurt DAX 30 dipped 0.2 per cent. Milan shed nearly 0.6 per cent on ongoing worries over Italy's national accounts. Global oil prices meanwhile came off lows after the US reimposed sanctions on Iran, which is the OPEC cartel's second-biggest player after Saudi Arabia. Markets.com analyst Neil Wilson said traders are focused "on US midterms on Tuesday, whilst questions over the Italian budget continue to impact risk sentiment." Eurozone finance ministers urged Italy on Monday to reverse course on its rule-breaking budget amid fears of market turmoil and a return of the debt crisis. 'WORST CASE SCENARIO' FOR MARKETS Traders are now eyeing Tuesday's US midterm elections, which are seen as a vote … [Read more...] about European stock markets steady on eve of US midterm vote

Logo of the London Stock Exchange. In Europe, all key markets closed solidly in the black, but London's FTSE index underperformed, held back by a steady pound and a weak sales outlook from advertiser WPP. Wall Street extended opening gains, helped by optimism on corporate earnings, a day after geopolitical worries and trade fears slashed billions off US stock valuations. The tech-heavy Nasdaq was well over two percent higher approaching midday in New York, having fallen a whopping 4.4 per cent on Wednesday. "US stocks are rebounding in early action from yesterday's sharp drop, with a host of relatively favourable earnings reports helping counter a flood of global headwinds that have pressured the markets and kept volatility elevated as of late," said analysts at the Charles Schwab brokerage. But Capital Economics analyst Oliver Jones said that the rebound in US markets was unlikely to last. "We think that the bounce in the S&P 500 today after its slump on Wednesday will prove … [Read more...] about European stock markets rebound after dramatic tumble

Logo of the London Stock Exchange European equity markets benefited from an apparent fading of tensions between Italy and the EU over Rome's spending, and there were also glimmers of hope that Brexit talks could see some progress. "European equities are mostly higher in afternoon action, with earnings season ramping up in the US and results mostly better than forecasted, while Italian budget and UK Brexit concerns appear to be easing," analysts at the Charles Schwab brokerage said in a note. 'NOT PARTICULARLY COMFORTABLE' London stocks, however, underperformed their eurozone peers as a weak oil price dragged down shares in energy majors. Stock markets have been rocked in recent days by fears over spiking oil prices, rising US long-term interest rates and an attack by President Donald Trump on the US central bank and its policies. While none of the dangers have disappeared, investors were grateful for the reprieve from ongoing tension. "Investors may not be feeling particularly … [Read more...] about European stock markets advance as rate tensions ease