Investing.com - Here are the top five things you need to know in financial markets on Monday, September 17:
1. Trump Readies New $200B Tariffs in China Trade War
As a new week kicks into action, the U.S.-China trade spat will likely remain a key driver of sentiment.
U.S. President Donald Trump is likely to announce new tariffs on about $200 billion on Chinese imports as early as today, according to a senior administration official.
The tariff level will probably be about 10%, the Wall Street Journal reported, far below the 25% the administration said it was considering for this possible round of tariffs.
The WSJ later reported that China may decline to participate in proposed trade talks with the U.S. later this month if the Trump administration moves forward with additional tariffs on imported Chinese goods, as Beijing won't negotiate under threat.
Officials are also considering potential retaliation steps, the report said.
U.S.-Sino trade-war fears have been simmering for months. Neither side is showing any signs of backing down, fueling worries that world's two largest economies are spiraling towards a trade war that could shake the global economy.
2. Global Stocks Knocked Lower
Global stock markets were lower as investors took fright at news Washington was set to announce a new round of tariffs on Chinese goods in the latest escalation of their trade conflict.
In Asia, markets in the region ended deep in negative territory, led by losses in China. The Shanghai Composite fell 1.1% to close at the lowest level since November 2014, while the smaller-cap Shenzhen Composite dropped 1.4%.
The downbeat sentiment carried over to Europe, where the continent's major bourses were mostly lower, with most of the sectors in the red. The pan-regional STOXX 600 benchmark was down 0.3% in mid-morning trade, with trade-sensitive autos and mining stocks the worst performing.
On Wall Street, U.S. stock index futures pointed to a slightly lower open.
At 5:35AM ET, the blue-chip Dow futures were down 35 points, or about 0.1%, the S&P 500 futures shed 4 points, or around 0.1%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a decline of 12 points, or roughly 0.2%.
3. FedEx, Oracle Report Earnings
There is a late-quarter lull in earnings reports, but results are still expected from a pair of notable companies today.
FedEx (NYSE:FDX) is slated to report fiscal first-quarter results after U.S. markets close. The shipping giant is expected to report earnings of $3.83 per share on revenue of $16.88 billion, according to estimates.
Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) is also scheduled to report fiscal first-quarter numbers after Monday's closing bell. Analysts on Wall Street expect earnings per share of 68 cents on revenue of $9.25 billion.
4. Dollar Slides to 6-Week Low
Away from equities, the U.S. dollar edged lower against its major rivals to start the week, as investors sold the greenback amid renewed fears over an escalating trade war between the world's two largest economies.
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a basket of six major currencies, was down 0.15% at 94.35, the lowest level since the end of July.
Against the yen, the dollar was a shade lower at 111.95, but still within sight of Friday's two-month high of 112.16.
The dollar has seen a surge in safe-haven demand from an escalation of global trade tensions between the U.S. and its major trading partners on the belief that the U.S. has less to lose from the dispute.
On the data front, the Empire State Manufacturing survey is due out at 8:30AM ET.
In the bond market, U.S. Treasury prices were little changed, with the benchmark 10-year yield holding at 2.995%, while the Fed-sensitive 2-year note stood at 2.775%.
5. Brexit Talks Set to Pick Up Pace
The euro and the British pound enjoyed positive starts to the week, as markets cheered encouraging developments on terms for Britain's exit from the European Union.
The euro ticked up 0.2% to 1.1650 against the dollar, not far from a three-week top of 1.1721 set on Friday.
The pound was also slightly higher at 1.3095, within sight of Friday's peak of 1.3145, which was the strongest level since July 31.
The first of three Brexit summits are set for the coming week, where European Union leaders hope to settle an agreement within the next two months over the terms of Britain's departure.
The timing of the meetings tallies with EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier's suggestion that an exit deal could be struck in six to eight weeks if negotiators are realistic in their demands.
British Prime Minister Theresa May has warned rebels in her party that unless they support her potential Brexit deal with the EU then they will face a no deal.
The UK is due to leave the EU on March 29.