London — World stocks rose for a second consecutive week on Friday as investors prepared for an expected run of strong earnings in the US, although fears about the US-China trade conflict kept gains in check and pushed the dollar higher. Expectations of a bumper US earnings season and news that China’s overall global export growth beat expectations led European shares up on Friday with industrials and technology sending the pan-European Stoxx 600 up 0.2%. Markets appeared broadly risk-friendly as a weakening safe-haven yen helped lift Japan’s Nikkei stock index 2%. That followed the S&P500 hitting four-month highs on Wall Street overnight. Yet fears about the effect of an escalating US-China trade war continue to cloud the outlook. Chinese trade data showed its trade surplus with the US swelling to a record in June, and some fear that could further inflame a trade dispute with Washington. "The record surplus with the US will inevitably get top billing … China’s exporters have been f...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.