Australian Market Report of September 8: Europe and Asia Boosted Gains
US markets were closed for the Labour Day public holiday, while Europe and Asia markets posted strong gains on Monday.
US markets were closed for the Labour Day public holiday, while Europe and Asia markets posted strong gains on Monday.
Wall Street made a third consecutive day gain overnight as some latest economic data shows that the recession is bottoming out. Financials were also buoyed after Insurance giant American International Group said it expects to repay the government.
US stocks opened lower overnight due to the massive drop in Shanghai shares, which also caused a broad selloff in Asia markets. But Wall Street ended the day higher as the energy companies were boosted on hope of an improving demand. The US oil futures rose after the US Department of Energy said US oil inventories plunged unexpectedly.
Wall Street ended lower in light trading on Friday as reports showed weak consumer sentiment in August and an unexpected decline in July retail sales. The weak reports prompted investors to lock in gains from the recent rally.
US stocks fell for a second day on Thursday as investors worried over the key employment figures, which are scheduled to release on Friday. Most economists expect the data will show the unemployment rate climbed to 9.6 per cent, from a 26-year high of 9.5 per cent in June.
US stocks traded slightly higher overnight with more buying in financials. Analysts expect there would be a short-term correction after the rally as investors lock in gains from a strong three-week rally.
US stocks broadly surged on Thursday fueled by the better-than-expected earnings reports. The market's rally pushed the major indexes to their highest closes of the year.