European stocks experienced slight gains on Tuesday as investors closely watched a new set of economic data following the previous week’s market volatility. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index traded 0.2% higher, erasing earlier losses. Utility stocks led gains with a 0.8% increase, while mining stocks slipped 0.7%. This trend followed mixed results in European markets on Monday, with upcoming U.S. and U.K. inflation data capturing investor attention.
The recently released U.K. wage data by the Office for National Statistics revealed that pay excluding bonuses increased by 5.4% year-on-year between April and June, marking the slowest growth rate in two years. In contrast, the unemployment rate decreased to 4.2% from 4.4%, surprising economists who had anticipated a rise to 4.5%. Jack Kennedy, a senior economist at job site Indeed, noted that the figures indicate a relatively tight labor market with gradual softening wage pressures, potentially reducing the scope for monetary easing by the Bank of England in the current year.
The upcoming U.K. inflation data, scheduled for release on Wednesday, will be closely monitored after the recent 25 basis points interest rate cut by the Bank of England. Economists polled by Reuters foresee the headline rate increasing from the current 2% to 2.3%. Market indications point towards a high likelihood of further rate cuts totaling 50 basis points this year, while the Bank of England’s key rate currently stands at 5%. The British pound reacted positively to the labor market data, showcasing a 0.4% rise against the U.S. dollar at $1.2817.
Global investors are also focusing on the newest U.S. inflation data to gain insights into the health of the world’s largest economy. Recent reports indicated that the U.S. producer price index saw a modest 0.1% increase in July, lower than expected. This result could potentially influence the Federal Reserve to initiate interest rate reductions. U.S. stocks responded positively to the news, setting the stage for the upcoming release of the consumer price index on Wednesday.
The interplay between economic data releases and market volatility continues to shape the performance of European stocks and currency markets. Investors are keenly observing the evolving trends to make informed decisions amidst the changing economic landscape.
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