AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
FRA
GER
ESP
ITA
NLD
PRT
SWE
GRC
IND
POL
BRA
ZAF
RUS
CHN
UAE
It can be assumed that the European markets are having a tough time lately largely because of the increased global worries. The weaker growth momentum in China, as well as tensions relating to the trade wars, continued to weigh over the sentiments of the investors. Yesterday, FTSE 100 Index closed lower, and the primary sectors which negatively impacted the broader index were base metals, energy, financials as well as healthcare. However, on the macro front, the employment numbers for the UK were posted, and an upward momentum was witnessed in the wages reflecting the strength which is being possessed by the labour market.
Yesterday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the session lower as the broader index was weighed down by the concerns related to the global growth. The worries about the economic growth negatively impacted the sentiments of the global market participants which could result in lesser deployments towards the risky assets including equities.
Looking at the scenario with other Brexit related headwinds, the broader index FTSE 100 closed lower again and depicted a fall of 0.85% as at January 23, 2019. However, STOXX600 also closed marginally lower and down by 0.06%.
With market close, GBP/USD was trading at 1.31, edging up slightly and EUR/GBP was trading at 0.87, down slightly. During the day, Brent Crude was trading at USD 61.01/barrel, down by 0.86% and WTI Crude Oil was trading at USD 52.55/barrel, down by 0.81%.
Meanwhile, Dyson has disclosed that it is going to shift company headquarter to Singapore from Wiltshire in the UK. However, its founder, James Dyson has been a very loud supporter of Brexit, and this move to relocate companyâs headquarter is a symbolic blow and likely to make political waves against him. With only 65 days left for Brexit, Prime Minister Theresa May must convince the EU to alter the Irish backstop, which is not an easy task for May, as EUâs chief negotiator has already denied for further talk on the backstop issue.
On retail sector front, Tesco has announced to cut hundreds of jobs, and the firm has employed 300000 staff in the UK and has already slashed 1200 staffs at its head office. Other retailers like Sainsbury and Asda have also cut jobs. According to research firm Jefferies, the awaited merger of Asda and Sainsbury will benefit Tesco, as Asdaâs current owner Walmart will leave the UK market.
Stocks like Burberry Group Plc (BRBY.L), EasyJet Plc (EZJ.L) and EVRAZ Plc (EVR.L) have been the top gainers on FTSE 100 index and up by 2.93%, 3.69% and 1.8%, respectively. On the other hand stocks like DS Smith Plc (SMDS.L), Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC (RB.L) and NMC Health PLC (NMC.L) were among the top laggards on FTSE 100 index and down by 5.42%, 4.06%, and 3.74% respectively.
During the day, sectors which were trading in green on FTSE 100 Index were  Telecommunications, Utilities and Technology; and on the other hand, sectors like Energy, Basic Materials and Industrials were the laggards on FTSE 100 Index.
