Le quotes on Wall Street they held up well yesterday and optimism in Asia continues, with the MSCI Asia Pacific regional index which, in the early afternoon in Japan, recorded another progress, of around 0,3%. A similar progress was recorded by the Nikkei, while the Chinese Stock Exchange lost 0,4% but remained at the high levels reached at the beginning of the current month. The Red Cross mission in Ukraine and the beginning of air operations to contain ISIL forces in Iraq have lowered the level of tensions. The yen, which had benefited from the geopolitical tremors, lost ground to 102,3; the dollar also strengthened slightly against the euro and the exchange rate fell below 1,34 (to 1,337).
This week, China reports on bank lending, industrial production and retail sales. Expectations are for positive data: production should register an increase of 9,2% on the year in July and sales could accelerate to +12,5%.
Gold is stable around 1308 $/ounce and so WTI oil at 97,8 $/b (Brent: 104,3; the differential narrows compared to yesterday). Stable equity futures for London and New York.
