Stock Market

Bank results offer an important view into the economy, including the strength of demand for loans. Investors will also be on the lookout for signs of whether the Fed’s large rate cut last month is already influencing the economy through rising auto sales or the purchase of other big-ticket items.

U.S. stocks slipped lower Wednesday, handing back some of the previous session’s gains, ahead of more signals on interest rates from the Federal Reserve. 

 European stocks slipped on Monday as the initial euphoria over strong U.S. jobs data last week faded and rate-sensitive sectors such as real estate and utilities came under pressure from higher bond yields.

Crude oil for November delivery was up 1.53% or 1.07 to $71.17 a barrel. Elsewhere in commodities trading, Brent oil for delivery in December rose 1.35% or 1.00 to hit $74.90 a barrel, while the December Gold Futures contract rose 0.21% or 5.50 to trade at $2,675.20 a troy ounce.

Inflation is also easing in France, Italy and Spain, suggesting that the risk to the eurozone forecast of 1.8% growth annually in September is to the downside, even though this would still be below the ECB’s 2.0% medium-term target.

European shares opened lower on Monday as investors prepared for a week packed with a slew of economic data from the region, while comments from ECB President Christine Lagarde were awaited.

Falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the India National Stock Exchange by 1273 to 1226 and 84 ended unchanged; on the Bombay Stock Exchange, 1883 fell and 1882 advanced, while 115 ended unchanged.

European shares jumped on Thursday, buoyed by optimism over fresh stimulus measures from China, while investors awaited remarks from the European Central Bank president.

European shares pared some losses on Wednesday, supported by a rise in basic resources, even as a rally stimulated by China’s stimulus package showed signs of slowing down.

The Chinese consumer is by far the biggest market for European luxury sales. That is the connection investors are making and taking a leap of faith that this Chinese monetary stimulus will feed through into the spending power of the Chinese consumer,” said Ben Laidler, head of equity strategy at Bradesco BBI.