World shares near one-week high on robust US earnings
China stimulus hopes to keep world shares at a one-week high; sterling is under the cosh on no-deal Brexit concerns; Wall Street is set for a flat open
London — World shares held near one-week highs on Wednesday, supported by robust US earnings and expectations of additional stimulus from Beijing that could temper the impact of China’s simmering trade dispute with the US. US equities now stand less than 0.5% off record highs hit in January, testifying to the strength of the world’s biggest economy and corporate sector, which has seen average earnings grow 23% in the second quarter. The picture in the rest of the world is less rosy, given slower economic momentum and the greater vulnerability of other big economies — from China to Germany — to US trade levies. Washington is preparing to start collecting tariffs on an additional $16bn in Chinese goods. But for now many markets, especially in Asia, are supported by the US tech rally that recently saw iPhone maker Apple become the world’s first $1-trillion company. MSCI’s index of stocks from 47 countries was marginally higher while Asian equities rose 0.3%, led by tech-heavy Taiwan. J...
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.