Market Highlights π‘- 7 March 2024
U.S. markets rose on hopes of a rate cut; Asian markets were mixed as China's earnings season continued.
πΊπΈ S&P 500: 0.52% π
πΊπΈ Nasdaq: 0.58% π
πͺπΊ Stoxx 600: 0.39% π
π―π΅ Nikkei 225 Index: -0.02% π
ππ°Hang Seng: 1.70%π
π¨π³CSI 300: -0.41% π
β’ U.S. markets were generally higher on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite rising 0.5% and 0.6% respectively, as economic data and comments from the Federal Reserve Chairman reinforced expectations for a rate cut.
β’ U.S. Job Openings (JOLTS) showed a slight decline in job openings in January (8.86 million compared with 8.88 million in December), while hiring also declined as labor market conditions continue to gradually ease.
β’ Workers who stayed on the job gained $140,000 in wages in February ($149,000 expected), the ADP national jobs report showed Wednesday, for a 5.1% year-over-year increase in annual wages.
β’ Asia-Pacific stock markets ended mixed, with China's CSI 300 down -0.4% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng up 1.7%, with the technology sector boosted by a surge in e-commerce giant JD.com ahead of results, as the focus turned to China's corporate earnings . Chinese stocks fell after foreign capital outflows showed signs of slowing.
π‘ Things you need to know today: π‘
1. The Dutch government is in discussions with semiconductor equipment maker ASML to prevent the Netherlands' largest company from relocating to other countries due to concerns about anti-immigration policies.
2. On Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell warned that continued improvement in inflation is not guaranteed, although the central bank is expected to cut its benchmark interest rate later this year.
Jerome Powell
3. AstraZeneca plans to invest US$826.8 million in the UK to enhance vaccine research and development and production capabilities.
4. JD.com announced that fourth-quarter revenue exceeded expectations and that it intends to expand the size of its share repurchase program.
5. New York Community Bancorp announced it has secured $1 billion in financing from investors including Liberty Strategy Capital. Additionally, the company appointed a former comptroller of the currency as its new chief executive.
β Key Points:
It's clear that the Fed does expect to cut interest rates this year. That's what the market needs to hear. The timing of the Fed launching an easing interest rate policy is not a matter of "if", but when.
@TigerStars @CaptainTiger @MillionaireTiger @Daily_Discussion
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