Timothy
As pressure builds on China’s tech and real estate moguls and its economic growth falters, markets worldwide are starting to get uneasy.
But it’s Europe, with its export-oriented economy and supercharged luxury stocks reliant on affluent Asian shoppers, which is likely to feel the most genuine pain.
The STOXX 600 index has fallen 1 percent so far in September, twice as much world stocks, and while Europe broadly is still in favour with investors and research analysts, the index has slipped all the way down to July lows.
Wall Street’s strength overnight could trigger a relief bounce this morning, but the China woes are far from over.
The worsening crisis at China’s No. 2 property developer Evergrande has sent its shares to decade lows, pushing Asian stock markets to their fourth day of losses. Trading in Evergrande bonds has been suspended. And virus outbreaks are clouding travel plans during next week’s Mid-Autumn Festival.
Europe Inc faces internal woes too. Soaring power prices have prompted Spain to cap energy bills and Italy said on Thursday it plans “short-term measures” to offset the price rises.
Worries are that other governments could resort to similar measures — at the expense of utility firms.
There’s some market support from signs U.S. inflation has peaked and the world’s biggest economy is in robust shape. Retail sales will be eyed later on for more clues on the health of the world’s largest economy. — Reuters
Bongani Ndlovu