Global stock markets had a pretty good month with many indices climbing to approach or break through all-time highs. The month is ending on a mixed note, however, with indices consolidating their gains and starting to fall back slightly as traders react to overnight data and prepare for a flood of news next week.
In Asia Pacific trading, the Nikkei 225 closed lower with the main Japanese economic numbers meeting expectations, while the S&P/ASX was dragged down by the resource sector (like the S&P/TSX was yesterday) and broke 5,500 former support. The Hang Seng closed higher amid rumours of possible increased fiscal stimulus and/or potential monetary easing (lowering reserve requirements for some banks).
European trading has been mixed with the FTSE 100 and DAX lower while the IBEX and MIB are rallying. Inflation for Spain and Italy came in soft again, keeping the pressure on the ECB to do something at its meeting next week. SEK is weakening again after Swedish GDP came in below expectations keeping the pressure on the Riksbank to cut rates at its next meeting.
In North America today, US indices appear to be heading for a lower open although the S&P 500 remains above its recent 1,900 breakout point. CAD has dropped back a bit after Canadian Q1 GDP came in well below expectations. Although the result is likely to be blamed on the weather and discounted once traders get over the initial shock, April GDP rebounded but not as much as hoped which is perhaps in some ways more disappointing and could have a bigger impact over time.
With month-end approaching, we could see some volatility through the day as traders square positions and get ready for next week with kicks off with global manufacturing PMI and wraps with Canada and US employment numbers with a ton of other news in-between, particularly the big ECB decision on monetary stimulus.
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