CAC 40 Edges Higher As China Cuts Bank Reserve Ratio

RTTNews | 609 days ago
CAC 40 Edges Higher As China Cuts Bank Reserve Ratio

(RTTNews) - French stocks traded higher on Wednesday after China's central bank said it would cut the amount of cash that banks must hold as reserves from Feb. 5 to help boost the slowing economy.

Meanwhile, investors shrugged off flash survey results from S&P Global showing that France's private sector activity contracted the most in four months in January.

The headline HCOB composite output index dropped to 44.2 in January from 44.8 in December. This was the weakest score since September also below economists' forecast of 45.2.

The benchmark CAC 40 was up 40 points, or half a percent, at 7,428 after losing 0.3 percent in the previous session.

In corporate news, rolling stock maker Alstom slumped 6.6 percent after Q3 sales missed estimates.

read more
U.S. Mortgage Applications Growth Slows

U.S. Mortgage Applications Growth Slows

U.S. mortgage applications grew at a modest pace in the week ended September 19 following a surge in the previous week, survey data from the Mortgage Bankers Association showed on Wednesday.
RTTNews | 12 minutes ago
U.S. New Home Sales Unexpectedly Skyrocket To Three-Year High In August

U.S. New Home Sales Unexpectedly Skyrocket To Three-Year High In August

A report released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday showed new home sales in the U.S. unexpectedly skyrocketed to their highest level in well over three years in the month of August. The Commerce Department said new home sales soared by 20.5 percent to an annual rate of 800,000 in August after slumping by 1.8 percent to a revised rate of 664,000 in July.
RTTNews | 14 minutes ago
Bay Street Likely To Open Slightly Higher

Bay Street Likely To Open Slightly Higher

Modestly higher futures point to a slightly positive start for the Canadian market on Wednesday. However, uncertainty about further interest rate cuts by the Fed this year, and worries about valuations may render the mood cautious and limit market's upside.
RTTNews | 2h 27min ago
U.S. Dollar Extends Rise Amid Fed Chair Powell Comments

U.S. Dollar Extends Rise Amid Fed Chair Powell Comments

The U.S. dollar continued to be strong against other major currencies in the European session on Wednesday, weighed down by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's comments that equity prices are fairly highly valued by many measures.
RTTNews | 2h 43min ago
FTSE 100 Modestly Lower In Cautious Trade

FTSE 100 Modestly Lower In Cautious Trade

U.K. stocks are turning in a mixed performance in cautious trade on Wednesday. Uncertainty about Fed interest rate outlook, and on comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell's warning that equity valuations are stretched.
RTTNews | 3h 5min ago
Sensex, Nifty Extend Declines For Fourth Day

Sensex, Nifty Extend Declines For Fourth Day

Indian shares ended lower for a fourth day running on Wednesday, with trade-related concerns, rising oil prices and continued selling by foreign investors keeping investors on edge.
RTTNews | 4h 19min ago