Global markets were slightly firmer after initial wariness sparked by news the Chinese economy grew at the slowest pace in nearly three decades in the first quarter (MOHD RASFAN)

London (AFP) – World stock markets were slightly firmer Monday, mostly posting modest gains after initial doubts on news that China’s economy grew at its weakest pace in nearly three decades as US President Donald Trump’s trade war hit home.

Wall Street opened little changed to weaker after its record-breaking run, with the market still counting on the US central bank to cut interest rates sooner rather than later despite recent strong jobs data.

Investors were also waiting to see earnings from JPMorgan Chase and the other banks, as well as other major companies such as Netflix, United Continental and Johnson & Johnson.

Citigroup fell 1.3 percent despite reporting a 6.9 percent rise in second-quarter profits as executives said uncertainty over trade conflicts weighed on corporate lending.

In late afternoon European trade, London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index was up 0.40 percent and Frankfurt’s DAX 30 rose 0.48 percent while the Paris CAC 40 edged 0.10 percent higher.

Asian equities initially stumbled but then staged a recovery as traders digested Chinese second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) numbers.

China’s economy expanded 6.2 percent in the second quarter, the slowest headline reading since the early 1990s, official data showed. The outcome was in line with forecasts and within the government’s target range.

“There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that the trade war is a major contributing factor here,” noted Oanda analyst Craig Erlam.

 – Bright spots – 

Yet, despite the slowing GDP, other figures showed there were some bright spots in the Chinese economy, dealers said.

That handed a partial boost to the mining sector because China is a leading consumer of many raw materials.

Chinese industrial output in June rose 6.3 percent, from 5.0 percent in May.

Fixed-asset investment also picked up, rising 5.8 percent on-year in January-June, from 5.6 percent in January-May.

China’s 1.3 billion consumers also continued to open their wallets, with retail sales growing 9.8 percent year-on-year in June, up from 8.6 percent in May.

“The Chinese data, while confirming slowdown fears, seems to be lifting basic resource stocks,” Erlam said.

“A decent rebound in industrial production is naturally driving this, easily exceeding expectations, and along with retail sales and investment figures, arguably indicates that worst fears are not being realised.”

The GDP number nevertheless highlights the negative impact the US tariffs stand-off is having on China, as leaders also try to recalibrate its growth model from exports and state investment to one driven by consumer spending.

Observers pointed out that the weakness raised the chances of further monetary easing measures from the central People’s Bank of China, with investors also tracking the progress of the latest trade talks between Washington and Beijing.

– Fed rate cut –

Amid concerns about the possible impact, some expect the US Federal Reserve will cut borrowing costs at the end of the month, though there is speculation about how far it will go.

While bank boss Jerome Powell’s congressional testimony last week flagged a reduction, data indicating inflation remains reasonably healthy has kept investors guessing.

“The Fed is under pressure to cut the interest rate this year,” noted ThinkMarkets analyst Naeem Aslam.

– Key figures around 1400 GMT –

London – FTSE 100: UP 0.40 percent at 7,536.32 points

Paris – CAC 40: UP 0.10 percent at 5,578.57

Frankfurt – DAX 30: UP 0.48 percent at 12,382.56

EURO STOXX 50: UP 0.10 percent at 3,501.12

Hong Kong – Hang Seng: UP 0.3 percent at 28,554.88 (close)

Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.4 percent at 2,942.89 (close)

Tokyo – Nikkei 225: Closed for a holiday

New York – Dow: flat at 27,307.35

Euro/dollar: DOWN AT $1.1266 from $1.1270 at 2100 GMT

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2534 from $1.2572

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 107.87 yen from 107.91 yen

Brent North Sea crude: UP 0.28 percent at $66.92 per barrel

West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.08 percent at $60.27 per barrel

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