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Stock market resumes advancing after strong data - 19.4.2019
Dollar strengthening resumes on sales data
US stock market advance resumed on Thursday supported by positive data and earnings. The S&P 500 added 0.2% to 2905.03. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 0.4% to 26559.54. Nasdaq composite index gained 1.98 points to 7998.06. The dollar strengthening resumed as data showed retail sales rose 1.6% in March, and initial jobless claims for unemployment benefits fell for the fifth week in a row. The live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, rose 0.4% to 97.44 but is lower currently. US market will be closed for Good Friday.
DAX 30 outperforms other European indices
European stocks added to previous session buoyed by strong corporate reports. The EUR/USD joined GBP/USD’s slide but both are currently higher. The Stoxx Europe 600 index added 0.2%. Germany’s DAX 30 rose 0.6% to 12222.39 despite weak manufacturing PMI report. France’s CAC 40 added 0.2% and UK’s FTSE 100 slipped 0.2% to 7459.88. Markets will be closed today for Good Friday.
Nikkei rises in thin trading
Asian stock indices are mixed today in a thin trading on Good Friday as most markets in Europe and US will remain closed today. Nikkei ended 0.5% higher at 22200.56 despite yen continuing its climb against the dollar. Chinese market is higher: the Shanghai Composite Index is up 0.6%. Markets in Hong Kong and Australia are closed for a holiday.
Brent closes week marginally higher
Brent futures prices rose yesterday on a drop in crude exports from Saudi Arabia, and a drop in active US drilling rigs as well as oil inventories last week: Brent for June settlement closed 0.5% higher at $71.97 a barrel on Thursday. Oil trading in the US and Europe will be closed for Good Friday.