Global Markets Report – 13 February
The global markets report for 13 February showed mixed results as investors weighed the potential impact of the coronavirus outbreak on global economies.
In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 0.2%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both rose 0.3%. In Europe, the FTSE 100 closed down 0.4%, while the German DAX and French CAC 40 both rose 0.3%. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.7%, while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong fell 0.2%.
The mixed performance came as investors weighed the potential impact of the coronavirus outbreak on global economies. The virus has now spread to more than 25 countries, and the number of cases is rising rapidly. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a global health emergency, and governments around the world are taking steps to contain its spread.
Meanwhile, economic data released on 13 February showed that manufacturing activity in the US and Europe continued to expand in January, though at a slower pace than in December. The US ISM manufacturing index fell to 50.9 in January from 52.7 in December, while the eurozone PMI fell to 50.7 from 51.2.
In the US, investors were also focusing on the latest round of US-China trade talks. US President Donald Trump said on 12 February that a “very substantial phase one deal” was close to being reached, though he also warned that he could still impose additional tariffs if no agreement was reached.
Overall, the global markets report for 13 February showed mixed results as investors weighed the potential impact of the coronavirus outbreak on global economies and the latest round of US-China trade talks.
