Asia markets responded positively to an easing of US-China trade tensions and better-than-expected trade data from China, whose exports were up 3.3% in July, and to a resumption by Japan of some semiconductor manufacturing materials to South Korea. The Nikkei was up 0.6%, the Hang Seng Index 0.4% and the Shanghai Composite up 0.7%.
US shares presented a mixed picture, affected by global trade fears, currency wars and talk of a possible recession. The S&P500 rose 0.1%, the Nasdaq was up 0.4%, but the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.1%.
Europe positive
The Euro strengthened 0.17% against the dollar, while sterling, currently at 1.21 against the dollar, is expected to continue its slide, as fears of a no-deal Brexit intensify. European shares, after more than three days of losses, were all positive, led by the CAC40, on expectations of third-quarter growth for the French economy.
In London, Hargreaves Lansdown (LON:HRGV) shares topped the FTSE 100, gaining 3.57%, on a strong half-year report. The FTSE 100 benchmark laggards were led by BT Group (LON:BT), Lloyds Banking Group (LON:LLOY) and Coca Cola HBC.
Oil futures jumped on expectations that Opec producers would cut production. Brent crude jumped 2.7% to $57.75 a barrel, while WTI crude was up 2.96% to $52.60.
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