Markets are hopeful as Chinese and US negotiators will resume talks this week, though there are warnings that failure to find a deal could hammer valuations (MARIO TAMA)

London (AFP) – European stock markets mainly fell Tuesday after a mixed session in Asia, with investor doubts growing over US-China trade talks, dealers said.

Asian equities diverged as hopes receded that China and the United States can reach a deal ending their trade war as they prepare to resume talks this week.

In Europe, Frankfurt stocks shed 0.5 percent and Paris dropped 0.6 percent in value in early afternoon deals.

London lost 0.7 percent, with worst performer HSBC slumping 4.2 percent to 635.80 pence on news that the banking titan suffered a tough fourth quarter on trade war woes.

“Global markets have failed to gain any traction today, as news of further US-China trade talks failed to inspire stocks both in Asia and Europe,” noted IG analyst Joshua Mahony.

There was “growing disillusionment over the failure to make any significant breakthrough despite a ramp up in discussions”, he said.

“However, with the top US and Chinese negotiators lined up to meet once again on Thursday, there is still some hope that we will find a positive conclusion.”

With New York closed for a public holiday on Monday there were few catalysts to drive buying, though the release of Federal Reserve minutes on Wednesday will be pored over for an idea of the bank’s interest rate plans.

Top-level officials from the world’s two biggest economies will reconvene in Washington after a series of talks in Beijing last week, with the US side telling President Donald Trump they had been “very productive”.

The positive tone from the diplomats, and the president’s indication he could extend a deadline for agreement, boosted regional markets Monday, extending a 2019 rally fuelled by optimism about an end to the nearly year-long tariffs spat.

Tokyo finished 0.1 percent higher, Hong Kong shed 0.4 percent and Shanghai closed 0.1 percent up.

– Trouble ahead? –

Oanda analyst Jeffrey Halley warned of trouble ahead if Chinese and US officials do not agree a deal.

“The rallies (Monday) were impressive given the talks ended last week without any concrete results and have yet to even recommence in Washington this week due to the US public holiday,” he said.

“Without sounding like a damp squib, there is now a vast amount of ‘optimism’ baked into currency, stock and energy market prices globally and precisely zero concrete detail. The unwind, should no deal be struck, could be very ugly.”

In commodities, oil prices were mixed after rallying Monday on trade talks hope and signs that OPEC and other key producers are narrowing output.

– Key figures around 1200 GMT – 

London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.7 percent at 7,165.97 points

Frankfurt – DAX 30: DOWN 0.5 percent at 11,248.83

Paris – CAC 40: DOWN 0.6 percent at 5,137.86

EURO STOXX 50: DOWN 0.7 percent at 3,223.63

Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 0.1 percent at 21,302.65 (close)

Hong Kong – Hang Seng: DOWN 0.4 percent at 28,228.13 (close)

Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 2,755.65 (close)

New York – CLOSED for bank holiday

Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1284 from $1.1311 at 2200 GMT Monday

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2910 from $1.2924

Dollar/yen: UP at 110.77 yen from 110.62 yen

Oil – Brent Crude: DOWN 11 cents at $66.39 per barrel 

Oil – West Texas Intermediate: UP 50 cents at $56.09

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