World stock markets were mixed on Wednesday as momentum from Wall Street’s rally faded. Investors were watching for economic data and remarks from the Federal Reserve chief to provide direction.
KEEPING SCORE: In Europe, France’s CAC 40 lost 0.4 percent to 5,347 while Germany’s DAX rose 0.1 percent to 12,914. Britain’s FTSE 100 was down 0.1 percent at 7,463. Wall Street was poised to open slightly lower, with Dow and S&P 500 futures both slipping less than 0.1 percent.
LOOKING FOR LEADS: After Wall Street indexes hit record highs this week, investors were in search of fresh leads from U.S. data later in the day, including the monthly private ADP payroll report and the ISM non-manufacturing index. The figures will provide the latest insights into the world’s biggest economy, which could factor into the Federal Reserve’s plan to raise interest rates again by the end of the year.
FED: a speech by Fed Chair Janet Yellen as speculation swirls over who President Donald Trump will tap to lead the U.S. central bank when her term ends early next year. The uncertainty has left the dollar in limbo. White House officials said last week Trump has met with former Fed board member Kevin Warsh, and current member Jerome Powell. But Trump has said he could re-nominate Yellen.
QUOTEWORTHY: “The focus may also be brought to the next Fed chair with Fed’s Yellen’s speech,” said Jingyi Pan, market strategist at IG in Singapore. “Although the names on the list may be of little surprise to the market, the conversation is expected to further heat up on this development.”
ASIAN SCORECARD: Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index flitted between gains and losses before ending less than 0.1 percent higher at 20,626.66 while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng advanced 0.7 percent to 28,379.18. Both indexes were at two-year highs. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.9 percent to 5,652.10 and Southeast Asian indexes were mixed. Stock markets were closed in mainland China, South Korea and Taiwan for holidays.
ENERGY: Oil futures fell further. Benchmark U.S. crude lost 13 cents to $50.29 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract dipped 16 cents to settle at $50.42 per barrel on Tuesday. Brent crude, the standard for international oil prices, fell 19 cents to $55.81 per barrel.
CURRENCIES: The dollar slipped to 112.46 Japanese yen from 112.86 yen late Tuesday. The euro rose to $1.1776 from $1.1745.