SP 500, Nasdaq ended at records while Dow slipped - 17.2.2020

Dollar strengthening slows

US stock market ended mixed on Friday amid mixed data. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% to new record 3380.16, advancing 1.6% for the week. Dow Jones industrial slid 0.1% to 29398.08. The Nasdaq gained 0.2% to fresh high 9731.18. The dollar strengthening slowed as retail sales ticked up to 0.3% in January while industrial production continued to fall. The live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, added 0.02% to 98.68 and is higher currently. US markets are closed today for President’s Day holiday.

FTSE 100 led European indexes retreat

European stocks ended lower on Friday as US raised tariffs on European-built aircraft. EUR/USD slowed its decline while GBP/USD accelerated climbing on Friday with the dynamics reversed for both pairs currently. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index lost 0.1% on news US increased tariffs on aircraft imported from the European Union to 15% from 10. The DAX 30 slipped 0.01% to 13744.21 Friday as German Q4 GDP recorded zero rate of increase over quarter. France’s CAC 40 slid 0.4% and UK’s FTSE 100 slumped 0.6% to 7409.13.

Nikkei drop leads Asian indexes retreat

Asian stock indices are mixed today. Nikkei fell 0.7% to 23523.24 despite resumed yen slide against the dollar as Q4 GDP fell 6.3% . China’s markets are rising as the central bank cut one year lending rate and injected some 300 billion yuan into economy: the Shanghai Composite Index is up 2.3% while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is 0.5% higher. Australia’s All Ordinaries Index slipped 0.1% with Australian dollar climb against the greenback resuming.

Brent down

Brent futures prices slide resumed today. Prices rose on Friday: Brent for April settlement added 1.7% to $57.32 a barrel Friday, gaining 5.2% for the week, the first in six weeks.

Gold slips

Gold prices are edging lower today. April gold gained 0.5% to $1586.40 on Friday.