Dollar weakening resumes after weak inflation data
US stocks retreat widened on Friday on reports White House is considering curbs on US portfolio investments into China. The S&P 500 lost 0.5% to 2961.79, falling 1.0% for the week. Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.3% to 26820.25. The NASDAQ Composite fell 1.1% to 7939.63. The dollar resumed weakening on weaker than expected core personal-consumption expenditure (PCE) inflation report: the live dollar index data show the ICE (NYSE:ICE) US Dollar Index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, slipped 0.1% to 98.09 and is lower currently. Stock index futures point to mixed openings today.
FTSE 100 leads European indexes movement
European stocks extended gains on Friday led by mining shares. The EUR/USD turned higher Friday while GBP/USD continued sliding with both pairs higher currently. The STOXX 600 Index gained 0.3%. The DAX 30 rose 0.8% Friday to 12380.94. France’s CAC 40 advanced 0.4% and UK’s FTSE 100 rallied 1.0% to 7426.21.
Shanghai Composite leads Asian indexes losses
Asian stock indices are mostly lower today. Nikkei 225 lost 0.6% to 21755.84 with yen little changed against the dollar. China’s markets are mixed despite data showing China’s manufacturing improved in September: the Shanghai Composite is down 0.9% while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is 0.4% higher. Australia’s All Ordinaries Index pulled back 0.4% despite the Australian dollar’s slide against the greenback.
Brent down
Brent futures prices are extending losses today. Prices slipped on Friday: Brent for November settlement ended 1.3% lower at $61.91 a barrel Friday, posting 3.7% loss for the week.