Here’s Friday’s ‘Just A Minute’ bringing you a 60 second summary of what’s happening in the markets:
Main Trading Event Of The Day: CAD Retail Sales m/m @ 12.30 GMT
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING TODAY
U.S. Stocks Gain After Data While Asian Stocks Rebound From Biggest Decline In Seven Months
U.S. stocks rose for the third time this week as reports on leading indicators and regional manufacturing fuelled optimism in the economy, overshadowing concern, following Wednesday’s FOMC meeting, that interest rates may rise in the middle of next year. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 0.6 percent to 1,872.01 at 4 p.m. in New York. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 108.88 points, or 0.7 percent, to 16,331.05. Both gauges erased most of yesterday’s declines. Asian stocks, meanwhile, rose with a regional index of shares outside Japan rebounding from the biggest loss yesterday since August. The MSCI Asia Pacific excluding Japan Index advanced 0.7 percent to 452.10, paring this week’s slide to 0.4 percent. The measure fell 1.7 percent yesterday, taking its loss this year to 4.1 percent as data from exports to industrial output showed signs of a slowdown in China and Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen indicated U.S. interest rates could rise as soon as six months after the end of the central bank’s bond-buying program. Analysts claim to be not overly cautious and that the focus will be directed back towards China on Monday.
European Markets Set For Lacklustre Open Following Banking Reform News
European markets are expected to have a subdued open after a busy week, as the market absorbs concerns about the Federal Reserve and banks. The FTSE was down 4 points to 6538, the Dax is seen steady at 9296 and the Cac up 1 point to 4328. On Thursday, the European Union finally agreed the terms to complete the region’s banking union. It was also a relatively quiet news day in the Ukraine crisis, with more sanctions announced, and a downgrade of Russia’s credit rating by Standard & Poor’s. In the U.K., data on public sector finances and UK banks external claims is expected at 9.30 GMT.
Time Is Of The Essence For Apple To Launch iWatch
Apple needs to launch an iWatch sooner rather than later, analysts say, or the company will risk losing its innovative edge to rivals. Apple also risks missing the huge opportunity that exists in the fast-growing wearable space if it doesn’t come out with something soon as there is no doubt that this sector is suddenly getting crowded. Pressure is coming from companies like FitBit and Jawbone who are making these devices and building an ecosystem around these wearables. There’s no shortage of speculation about what an iWatch will do, or when it will come out, but until Apple makes it official, the device is still completely hypothetical. Still, analysts who cover the company seem fairly certain that the company will debut a wearable product in 2014, particularly because wearables would be a natural fit for Apple’s ecosystem. The pressure is on for Apple and although it is not in the company’s style to rush things, they shouldn’t wait too long…
That sums up Friday’s highlights! Stay up-to-date with all the trading events and market news via our Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn pages! We hope you have a profitable day on the markets and wish you a great weekend!