EUROPE MARKETS: European Markets Struggle As Boost Fades From China's Economic Pledge
January 15 2019 - 9:41AM
Dow Jones News
By Emily Horton
Downbeat U.S. earnings help erode earlier gains
European markets gave up gains on Tuesday, after Chinese
government officials outlined plans to boost the country's sluggish
economy.
In the U.K., politicians are preparing to vote on Prime Minister
Theresa May's contentious agreement for leaving the European Union
in March.
How are the markets trading?
Most of Europe's major indexes started the day higher, but were
lower by the afternoon, with the Stoxx Europe 600 moving to flat at
347.34, after finishing down 0.5% on Monday.
France's CAC 40 was flat at 4,764.57, the U.K.'s FTSE 100 was
unchanged at 6,854.71 and Germany's DAX (DAX) slipped 0.2% to
10,828.21.
Italy's FTSE MIB index was the biggest regional loser on Monday,
dropping 0.1% to 19,141.97.
The euro dropped to $1.1442, down 0.3% and the British pound
last bought $1.2874, slightly higher than $1.2866 late Monday.
What is driving the markets?
In China, government officials have stepped up efforts
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/china-to-ramp-up-efforts-to-support-economy-2019-01-15)
to spur economic growth amid signs the country's economic slowdown
is deepening. Beijing intends to improve credit availability for
smaller companies, accelerate infrastructure investment and cut
taxes
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/china-to-slash-taxes-keep-currency-stable-to-offset-slowdown-2019-01-14).
The landmark vote over May's divisive agreement for Brexit is
scheduled to take place at 10:30 p.m. local time in the U.K. on
Tuesday (5:30 p.m Eastern). Most expect it to be rejected in the
worst defeat for any U.K. prime minister in history
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/brexit-brief-uk-prime-minister-faces-historic-defeat-in-landmark-vote-2019-01-15),
with more than 100 Conservative politicians currently opposed to
its terms.
In the event that the deal is voted down, May will have three
days to come up with an alternative for exiting the European Union
on March 29. However, EU leaders have insisted that the deal
already agreed is the only one on offer.
Read:May in last-ditch push for Brexit deal votes -- what the
City of London is saying
(https://www.fnlondon.com/articles/may-in-last-ditch-push-for-brexit-deal-votes-what-the-city-is-saying-20190115)
(https://www.fnlondon.com/articles/may-in-last-ditch-push-for-brexit-deal-votes-what-the-city-is-saying-20190115)Fresh
data showed Germany's economy slowed sharply last year
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/germanys-economy-slowed-sharply-in-2018-2019-01-15),
shaken by softening consumer spending at home and weakness in key
export markets.
What stocks are active?
Portuguese food distributor Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA (JMT.LB)
was the top gainer, adding over 7%
Italian banks were down on Tuesday, with Unione di Banche
Italiane SpA (UBI.MI) dropping nearly 5% and Banco BPM SpA
(BAMI.MI) losing more than 5% after a report in an Italian
newspaper that the European Central Bank reportedly asked lenders
to set aside more money for by 2016
(https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKL8N1ZF2B6).
Meanwhile, manufacturer AMS AG (AMS.EB) rose by 3%.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 15, 2019 09:26 ET (14:26 GMT)
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