The US
Wall Street closed mainly lower after erasing early gains, as worries about the Delta COVID-19 variant and a slowing US economy overshadowed optimism regarding more fiscal stimulus. Moreover, data released regarding manufacturing showed a slower pace for the second straight month as shortages of raw materials persisted. USA30 fell 0.28%, while USA500 traded 0.18% lower. TECH100 added 0.06%.
Crude oil lost 1.2% at $73.03 a barrel.
Gold fell 0.3% to $1,811.25 per ounce.
Asia and Australia
Markets were mixed, with signs of a challenging week ahead because of the disappointing Chinese economic data and its continuous regulatory crackdown.
HongKong45 inched down 0.04%.
Japan225 jumped 1.59%.
Down under, Australia200 went up 0.97% ahead of the country’s central bank handing down its policy decision on Tuesday. Sydney is under a lockdown that will last at least nine weeks until August 28.
Europe
The stock market traded higher, driven by strong earnings from banking giant HSBC and AXA, as well as healthy German retail sales. Germany30 traded 0.5% higher, while France40 rose 0.9%. UK100 climbed 1%.
Brent oil fell 1.2% to $74.53 a barrel.
EUR/USD was flat at 1.1867.
Sources: investing.com, reuters.com
