Global markets consolidate on lack of major triggers

Global markets consolidated on Friday on lack of data and major triggers.

There was some positive newsflow from Spain on further austerity measures. Govt said to be considering pension reforms, which is seen as precursor to bailout request.

But EU officials indicate request is likely only by late next month.

European Union has been preparing to let ESM leverage and buildup a capacity of upto euro 2 trillion; Germany has been supporting this move.

Earlier in the day on Friday Italy cut current year GDP forecast to -2.4% from -1.2%.

There was no significant US data; iPhone 5 hit markets; Apple saw a new intraday record on Friday.

US markets at close: Dow Jones fell 0.1% at 13,579.5 and S&P 500 index declined 0.01% to 1,460.2 after hitting an intraday high of 1467. Nasdaq rose 0.1%.

European markets at close: DAX rose 0.8% and CAC went up 0.6% while FTSE was down 0.03%. Spain jumped 2.6% and Italy was up 1%.

Today SGX Nifty lost 0.5% to 5,685. Asian markets too were down 0.5-1%.

Currencies

Euro closed at 1.298 against the US dollar on Friday from lows of 1.292.

Euro was at 1.293 today morning, which hit a high of 1.317 last week.

Dollar index is currently at 79.4.

Yen was largely unchanged at 78.1 to the dollar on Friday.

Commodities

Brent crude gained 1.5% at USD 111.4 a barrel while WTI crude was up 0.5% at around USD 93 a barrel on Friday.

North Sea supply issues have been supporting crude, but additional Saudi supply is an overhang.

Gold rose 0.3% to above USD 1770 an ounce, but failed to cross USD 1780 an ounce.

LME Copper was up 0.2% at around USD 8300 per tonne

What to watch out for

IFO business climate index

Chicago Fed Activity Index

Dallas Fed Manufacturing Index