Global shares down after Wall Street closes mixed - 18.10.2023

The Dollar is little changed currently . The live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, ended virtually flat on Tuesday.

EUR/USD slowed its climbing yesterday while GBP/USD reversed its advancing as the Office for National Statistics data showed annual growth in UK employees' average total pay (including bonuses) declined to 8.1% in June to August 2023 from 8.5%. Both euro and Pound are higher against the dollar currently. USD/JPY accelerated its advancing on Tuesday while AUD/USD continued its climbing with both the yen and Australian dollar higher against the Greenback currently.

Futures on three main US stock indexes are lower currently as the yield on benchmark 10-year US notes edged down to 4.83% currently. Stock indexes ended mixed on Tuesday with three main stock benchmarks recording daily returns in a narrow range from -0.25% to +0.04% as Census Bureau data indicated stronger than expected US retail sales in September.

European stock indexes are down currently after closing lower on Tuesday with construction stocks leading losses while ZEW economic research institute’s monthly survey showed German economic sentiment improved by more than expected in October. Asian indexes futures are in red today with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index leading losses despite government data showing that China’s gross domestic product grew in the three months to September more than expected.

Brent is higher and above $90 currently. Oil prices edged up on Tuesday before American Petroleum Institute report US crude stocks fell by about 4.4 million barrels in the week ended October 13. The US oil benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) ended unchanged but is higher today. Brent added 0.3% to $89.90 a barrel.