Global Markets Today While US Was Sleeping

Thursday, July 26, U.S. markets ended lower, with Dow Jones breaking its longest winning streak after gains for 13 consecutive sessions.

The U.S. economy grew by an annualized 2.4% (QoQ) in Q2, compared to 2% in the prior period and higher than market estimates of 1.8%. 

U.S. initial jobless claims fell by 7,000 from the previous week to 221,000 in the week ended July 22, recording the lowest level in five months.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed lower by 0.67% at 35,282.72 on Thursday; the S&P 500 closed 0.64% lower at 4,537.41; and the Nasdaq Composite slid 0.55% to 14,050.11.

Asian Markets Today

• Japan’s Nikkei 225 ended Friday’s session down 0.47% at 32,766.50, recording losses in the Shipbuilding, Rubber, and Transportation Equipment sectors. BoJ interest rate decision remains unchanged at -0.10%, matching the forecast. USD/JPY was up 0.05% to 139.50 at 04.30 AM ET.
• Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.70%, ending the session at 7,403.60, reflecting losses in the Gold, A-REITs, and Metals & Mining sectors. AUD/USD was down 0.95% to 0.6641 at 04.30 AM ET.
• Shanghai Composite closed the session at 3,275.93, up 1.84%; Shenzhen CSI 300 rose 2.32% to 3,992.74; real estate and financials shares led to gains.
• Hang Seng index in Hong Kong rose 1.31%, closing the session at 19,923.50, on rising hopes China will announce new economic stimulus measures.

Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET

• The Pan-European STOXX 600 index is down 0.31%. The DAX index in Germany traded 0.16% lower, and the CAC 40 in France fell 0.44%.
• The U.K.’s FTSE 100 traded higher by 0.17%, reflecting improved market confidence following a frantic morning of company earnings.

Commodities at 05:30 AM ET

• Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 0.20% at $79.93/bbl, and Brent was down 0.31% to $83.53/bbl.
• Natural Gas was trading higher by 0.12% at $2.598.
• Gold was trading up 0.11% at $1,948.10, Silver was down 0.29% to $24.297, and Copper was up 0.31% to $3.887.

U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET

• Dow futures were up 0.13%, S&P 500 futures rose 0.32%, and Nasdaq 100 futures were up 0.61%.

U.S. Dollar Index at 05:30 AM ET

• The U.S. Dollar Index was up 0.09% to 101.87.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons