Open Oct 21

In Asian Equity Markets indices traded mixed on Monday as Brexit developments over the weekend created further uncertainty over the United Kingdom’s impending departure from the European Union. The Nikkei 225 rose 0.23% while the Topix index added 0.41%. South Korea’s Kospi gave up early gains to trade near flat while Australia’s ASX 200 fell 0.1%. Mainland Chinese shares traded down: The Shanghai composite fell 0.51%, the Shenzhen composite was down 0.52% and the Shenzhen component lost 0.11%. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index advanced 0.17%


In Currency Markets sterling opened lower in Asian trading on Monday after a UK parliament vote on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit withdrawal deal over the weekend was delayed. The UK parliament on Saturday withheld its approval to vote on Johnson’s Brexit deal until formal ratification legislation is passed. However, strategists say rising confidence that a disorderly exit from the European Union will be avoided should limit any sell-off. Sterling opened down 0.6% at $1.2915, after closing just below the $1.30 mark on Friday.


In Commodities Markets oil prices eased on Monday amid persistent concerns about the global economic outlook and the impact on oil demand, while Russia again missed its target to cut oil output last month. Global benchmark Brent crude oil futures fell by 10 cents, or 0.2%, to $59.32 a barrel. U.S. crude oil futures were down by 9 cents, or 0.2%, to $53.69. China’s economic growth slowed to 6% year-on-year in the third quarter, its weakest in 27-1/2 years and short of expectations due to soft factory production and continuing trade tensions.


In US Equity Markets fell on Friday as negative headlines about Johnson & Johnson and Boeing, along with bleak economic data from China, soured investor risk appetite and offset generally positive corporate earnings. The S&P 500 lost 0.39%, to 2,986.2 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.83%, to 8,089.54. American Express Co reported better-than-expected third-quarter profit as consumers boosted their spending. Still, the credit card issuer’s shares fell 2.0%. Coca-Cola Co’s revenue beat expectations and an upbeat forecast gave its shares a 1.8% boost.


In Bond Markets U.S. Treasury yields fell on Friday as investors awaited a UK vote on Britain’s deal to leave the European Union this weekend, and a speech by a senior Federal Reserve official later in the day. Benchmark 10-year notes were last up 2/32 in price to yield 1.748%, down from 1.755% on Thursday. The yields rose as high as 1.799% after the Brexit deal was announced on Thursday.