After a mixed start, most of the Asian stock markets took the road to rise overnight to seal a positive month (+6% in December) in the wake of the records set on Friday by the US markets. Fortunately, there was no dreaded "Christmas present" threatened by Kim. On Saturday in Pyongyang, the North Korean president warned the top military and diplomatic leaders to prepare for a military offensive, but a senior White House official said that in recent days there have been some high-level contacts that could averted the threat. The markets can thus celebrate the epilogue of a lucky year for the price lists which, in truth, few have enjoyed: according to a recent survey by the Financial Times, 50% of Americans believe they have not benefited from Wall's rallies street.
BUT CHINA RECOVERS, RETAIL SALES +8%
The Chinese Stock Exchanges, after a weak start (-1,24%), reversed course after the estimates on retail sales for the year (+8%) and the Central Bank's invitation to all commercial lenders because adopt new measures on lending. Hong Kong +0,6%.
Tokyo (-0,6%) and Sidney (-0,45%) lose ground instead.
The dollar fell for the third day in a row: 6,98 against the Chinese yuan; the Malaysian ringitt and the Indonesian rupiah also rose.
Gold shines at 1.514 dollars an ounce, a level not seen for four months.
Fifth day of rising for Brent oil, at 68,4 dollars a barrel. Over the weekend there were US air strikes against Hezbollah bases in Syria. But the drop in US inventories supported prices.
THE EURO AT THE HIGHEST SINCE JULY
The euro is on the rise, reaching its highest level since July, at 1,120 against the dollar, up by 0,2%.
TODAY THE BTP AUCTION, BUSINESS PLACE +29%
The financial year closes today with the last Treasury auction: 5-year and 10-year BTPs will be issued: the offer for the 5-year bond will amount to 1,5-2 billion, those for the 2,5-year bond will be 3. XNUMX-XNUMX billion.
RECORD RISES: APPLE +83%, FERRARI +72%, LVMH +69%
The Stock Exchanges are starting to inaugurate the 21st century hoping that the script does not follow the plot of a hundred years ago: a roaring start, the dramatic ending of '29. Making due exorcisms, the markets enter the new year with record performances for the most important lists: the Nasdaq has exceeded the bar of 9.000 points under the impetus of the giants of the new economy: Apple +83% ahead of Microsoft. Europe responds with the exploit of luxury: Lvmh +69%, Kering +48%.
The replica in Milan (+29%) is entrusted to luxury four-wheelers (+72% by Ferrari in 2019) and managed (Azimut +122%). The Piazza Affari price list is about to close the year with a total value of 655,6 billion against 543 in 2018. But the result is only a little higher than the 644 billion at the end of 2017. The Stock Exchange is worth 37,8% of the Italian GDP. At the end of 2007, before the crisis, all the shares were worth 47,8% of GDP.
ATHENS +50,1%. BONDS +333% SINCE 2015
Obligatory citation for Athens: +50,1%, best price list of the year. But the performance of bonds is even more sensational: +333% compared to the abyss of 2015. Last Friday, the Greek 1,421-year bond traded at 1,43%, against XNUMX% for BTPs.
THE YELLOW-RED CLUB CHANGES HANDS FOR 955 MILLION
In the spotlight today the title of Rome. The Giallorossi company will be sold to Dan Friedkin, a Texan entrepreneur, for a total valuation of 955 million euros including a capital increase (130 million) and the assumption of debts (275 million), in addition to the 550 million that will go to the seller , James Pallotta, who however will retain a 3% stake. This is the highest valuation ever paid for an Italian football club.
SLIDE THE MPS PLAN, INTERVENTION FOR POP BARI
The presentation, already expected by 2020, of the plan for the disposal of the investment in Monte Paschi by the Treasury has been postponed to the first days of 2019. The decision is linked to a possible derisking operation by the Bank, which could sell impaired loans for 11 billion to Amco (formerly Sga), but at a valuation equal to around 30% of the nominal value, thus creating an imbalance around 1,5 .XNUMX billion which will have to be filled by the buyer.
The Interbank Deposit Protection Fund (FITD) meets to decide on the bailout intervention in the Popolare di Bari necessary to restore the institution's supervisory capital requirements above the regulatory minimums by the end of the year.
FINCANTIERI, BILLIONAIRE DEAL IN SAUDI ARABIA
Fincantieri is also in the spotlight: the United States Navy has awarded a multibillion-dollar order for the construction of four Multi-Mission Surface Combatants destined for Saudi Arabia to a consortium led by Lockheed Martin, of which Fincantieri is a part.
Also noteworthy today are some US statistics, among which the trade balance for November stands out.
