Yesterday evening Wall Street, although closing with only a slight loss (-0,3% for the S&P500) showed signs of greater volatility, with an index that fluctuated between +1,4% and -1,0%.
The markets in Asia opened under the sign of nervousness, with the yen - back to its role of safe haven currency - strengthening against the dollar up to 117,2 (in the Japanese early afternoon). The Nikkei falls by 1,6%, but the Chinese stock market is still strong and the CSI300 composite index rises for the second day (+0,3%). The MSCI Asia Pacific regional index (denominated in dollars) fluctuates around zero.
Crude remains weak, at 45,3 $/b (WTI). Brent is at 46,1 and the differential is now reduced to less than a dollar. The concern linked to the (too) rapid decline in oil prices is reflected in another safe haven asset – gold – which, although decreasing slightly compared to yesterday (1229 $/ounce) is still at high levels.
The euro, unlike the yen, weakens against the dollar and scores 1,179. Futures on Wall Street were weak (-0,4%).
