US stocks snap four-day win streak - 2.12.2019

Dollar strengthening halted

US stocks closed lower on Friday after reopening for a shortened session following Thanksgiving holiday. The S&P 500 slid 0.4% to 3140.98, rebounding 1% for the week. Dow Jones industrial slipped 0.4% to 28051.41. The Nasdaq fell 0.5% to 8665.47. The dollar weakening accelerated despite reports online sales on Thanksgiving were up 20% from a year ago. 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, slipped 0.1% to 98.25 but is higher currently. Futures on three main US stock indices indicate higher openings today.

FTSE 100 led European indexes losses

European stock indexes extended losses on Friday. GBP/USD joined EUR/USD’s climb on Friday as data showed the eurozone’s annual rate of inflation rebounded in November after two straight months of decline. Both pairs are gaining currently. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index lost 0.4% . The DAX 30 slipped 0.1% Friday to 13236.38 as Germany retail sales fell more than expected in October. France’s CAC 40 slid 0.1% and UK’s FTSE 100 fell 0.9% to 7346.53.

Nikkei leads Asian Indexes gains

Asian stock indices are mostly rising today following an unexpected rise in China’s manufacturing activity in November. Nikkei ended 1% higher at 23529.50 as yen resumed its slide against the dollar. China’s markets are rising s China’s official manufacturing purchasing managers index topped 50 the first time since April: the Shanghai Composite Index is 0.1% higher and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is up 0.2%. Australia’s All Ordinaries Index recovered 0.2% despite Australian dollar’s resumed climb against the greenback.

Brent up

Brent futures prices are recovering today. Prices fell on Friday after reports casting doubt on possible production-cut extension at this week’s OPEC meeting: Brent for January settlement lost 2.3% to $62.43 a barrel Friday.