Traders have not been egged on by positivity over US-China trade talks ahead of the Easter break (Bernd Settnik)

London (AFP) – Stock markets were mixed on Thursday as investors wound down their positions before the Easter break, with positivity surrounding China-US trade talks and strong US retail sales data failing to spur much buying action. 

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ticked higher in midday trading after it was reported that US retail sales rose 1.6 percent in March, handily beating expectations. 

There was also a batch of mostly positive earnings reports, however the broad-based S&P 500 and tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index edged downwards.

Briefing.com analyst Patrick O’Hare said the market was “jogging in place” before the long weekend.

“It’s hard to tell if the market is just tired after a massive rally, checked out in front of an extended holiday weekend, or genuinely bothered by concerns regarding the economic outlook,” O’Hare said.

The euro meanwhile slid versus the dollar as data showed business growth in the eurozone had hit the lowest level since 2014 on German sluggishness and stagnation in France.

The single currency’s drop helped support eurozone exporters, pushing up overall stock market values in the region.

Frankfurt’s DAX 30 index closed up 0.5 percent and the Paris CAC 40 won 0.4 percent on the day.

Outside the eurozone, London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index lost 0.2 percent, despite stronger-than-expected British retail sales figures.

Beset by looming political risks such as Brexit and weaker global growth, the eurozone is struggling to keep the economy growing at a healthy pace, a survey from data firm IHS Markit showed.

“Traders are mindful of the Easter break and we might see some trimming their positions ahead of the long weekend,” said David Madden, market analyst at CMC Markets UK. 

– US-China trade talks –

A wide range of US companies reported first quarter results, with American Express, Travelers and Honeywell International all rising, while Alcoa retreated after its earnings.

Focus also remained on China-US trade talks after it was reported that President Donald Trump’s key negotiator Robert Lighthizer is preparing to visit Beijing at the end of the month, hoping to end the long-running tariffs spat.

The Wall Street Journal story was followed by Trump saying he was optimistic the talks would be “successful”, and telling reporters there would be an announcement “very, very shortly”.

The upbeat developments were the latest to give hope for an end to a row that has dragged on the global economy and contributed to a market sell-off at the end of last year.

However investors in Asia seemed unmoved, with markets there in the red on Thursday.

– Key figures around 1540 GMT –

London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.2 percent at 7,459.88 points 

Frankfurt – DAX 30: UP 0.5 percent at 12,222.39

Paris – CAC 40: UP 0.3 percent at 5,580.338

EURO STOXX 50: UP 0.6 percent at 3,499.23

Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.8 percent at 22,090.12 (close)

Hong Kong – Hang Seng: DOWN 0.5 percent at 29,963.26 (close)

Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.4 percent at 3,250.20 (close)

New York – Dow: UP 0.2 percent at 26,512.53

Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1238 from $1.1296 at 2100 GMT

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3004 from $1.3039

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 111.93 yen from 112.09 yen

Oil – Brent Crude: UP nine cents at $71.71 per barrel

Oil – West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 12 cents at $63.75

burs-dl/dcr

Disclaimer: Validity of the above story is for 7 Days from original date of publishing. Source: AFP.