LONDON (AFP) – Major stock markets mostly fell yesterday as more weak Chinese economic data offset optimism over an expected United States (US) interest-rate cut.
Investor sentiment was jolted by worries over China’s economy after a report showed activity in the country’s manufacturing sector contracted for a fourth consecutive month in August and more than expected.
The weekend data “rang alarm bells”, noted, chief market analyst at trading group Scope Markets Joshua Mahony.
China’s manufacturing “sector clearly remains in a troublesome position as the country attempts to navigate its way out of the recent real estate fuelled slowdown”, he added.
In August, the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) – a key barometer of industrial output – stood at 49.1 points, the National Bureau of Statistics announced.
This represents a stronger contraction than in July (49.4 points) for the index, which is based in part on company order books.
A figure above 50 indicates an expansion in manufacturing activity, while below that is a contraction.
The update came as leaders face calls to unveil fresh stimulus measures, particularly for the troubled property industry, with observers warning the government’s five per cent gross domestic product growth target could be missed this year.
Following the Chinese figures, oil prices fell slightly and the yuan dropped against the dollar yesterday.
The data added to concerns over weak Chinese demand, including for the luxury sector, with British fashion brand Burberry heading the losers board in London. Its shares were down 2.7 per cent nearing midday, while in Paris Gucci-owner Kering shed 2.3 per cent.
However, stock in British online real estate firm Rightmove soared 22 per cent after Australian peer REA Group, majority-owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp empire, said yesterday it is mulling a multi-billion-pound takeover.
Elsewhere, focus remained fixed on by how much the Federal Reserve would cut US interest rates in September.
Figures on Friday showed the Fed’s favoured gauge of inflation – personal consumption expenditures index – fell in line with forecasts in July, setting the bank up to ease monetary policy this month.
Focus is now on the release of the closely watched non-farm payrolls report, which will provide the latest snapshot of the world’s top economy.
While a cut has been priced in, the data could determine how big it will be, with analysts saying another big miss to the downside could prompt officials to slash rates by 50 basis points, rather than the ex-pected 25.
