Development of the main stock markets in the world has been quite different. Key stock indices of the USA showed multi-directional dynamics, whilst trading on the European and Asian platforms has been taking place in positive territory.
On Friday, no important macroeconomic statistical data was published except for data on Oil stocks for the week, which were reduced by 7.007 million barrels, whereas a decrease of 2.975 million barrels was predicted.
As a result of the trading session, the blue chips indicator of Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.17% to 16469.99, S&P 500 lost 0.03% and reached 1831.37, and the index of high-tech industries of Nasdaq Composite went down to 0.27% and closed at 4131.91 points.
An interesting development in the market is that on Friday, prices of Gold reached a two-week maximum against expectations of a possible increase in demand for ingots and coins. Meanwhile, prices of Platinum grew to the maximum value since November. As a result, prices of Gold raised to the maximum level since the 18th of December, up to 1239.60$ per troy ounce, and this morning Gold is traded on a price of 1238.79$ per troy ounce. At the same time, futures for Platinum reached the maximum value since the 20th of November at the price of 1418.00$ per troy ounce, traded this morning on a level of 1402.98$.
Today, the index of business activity for December was published by HSBC bank, which fell in the services sector of China from 52.5 to 50.9 - the minimum value for almost 2 years. Before the 1st of January, industrial PMI of China, counted by national bureau of statistics, decreased from 51.4 to 51.00. This afternoon, indices of business activity of France, Germany and the Eurozone, are going to published. No significant changes are expected.
This year also promises to be rather positive for the American economy, and even despite the recent decrease in the ISM index in the manufacturing industry, all data still confirms recovery. This week will demonstrate continued recovery as a lot of statistical data will be published - data on business activity in the services sector, data on the labor market, and also the protocol of the last meeting of the FOMC, which will reflect the view of the monetary authorities on the economic prospects of the country.