Stocks end mostly lower after new Iran sanctions - 25.6.2019

Dollar weakening slows

US stock market ended mostly lower on Monday led by energy stocks as president Trump announced new, ‘hard-hitting’ sanctions on Iran. The S&P 500 slipped 0.2% to 2945.35. Dow Jones industrial however added 0.03% to 26727.54. The Nasdaq composite slid 0.3% to 8005.70. The dollar weakening slowed: 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, lost 0.2% to 96.00 and is lower currently. Futures on US stock indices point to lower openings today.

DAX 30 underperforms European indexes

European stocks pullback continued on Monday . GBP/USD turned lower while EUR/USD continued climbing with both pairs higher currently. The Stoxx Europe 600 index slid 0.3% led by auto shares as Daimler lost 4% after 2019 earnings outlook downgrade. The DAX 30 fell 0.5% to 12274.57 after the Ifo Institute for Economic Research on reported German business sentiment fell to its lowest level since November 2014. France’s CAC 40 edged down 0.1% and UK’s FTSE 100 slipped 0.1% to 7416.69.

Hang Seng leads Asian indexes pullback

Asian stock indices are mostly falling today despite news US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and China’s Vice Premier Liu He talked Monday by phone. Nikkei closed 0.4% lower at 21193.81 with yen resuming its climb against the dollar. Markets in China are retreating: the Shanghai Composite Index is down 0.9% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is 1.3% lower. Australia’s All Ordinaries Index pulled back 0.1% as Australian dollar resumed sliding against the greenback.

Brent falls

Brent futures prices are extending losses today with Middle East tension providing support. Prices fell yesterday: August Brent crude lost 0.5% to $65.20 a barrel on Monday.