Stock markets jump on US stimulus hopes

Stock markets jumped Tuesday on optimism that lawmakers in Washington will hammer out a new stimulus package for the crippled American economy.

European equities got an extra shot in the arm from economic surveys painting a brighter picture than had been feared for the area’s recovery prospects from the coronavirus pandemic.

Confidence among investors in Germany soared to its highest level in almost 17 years in August, according to the ZEW institute’s monthly barometer.

Calling the ZEW numbers “very encouraging”, analyst Craig Erlam at OANDA said they “suggest the euro area economy is bouncing back quite well following the lockdown”.

Russia’s announcement that it had approved a coronavirus vaccine helped fuel the optimistic mood across trading floors for a while, analysts reported, but its impact faded as authorities in other countries greeted the news with scepticism.

Global investors, meanwhile, focused “on the prospect of a fiscal stimulus deal from US political leaders… while setting aside concerns about an escalation in US-China trade tensions”, said Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK.

As the pandemic roils economies around the world, the US-China stand-off has been a major cause for concern, with the two sides butting heads on several issues that have fanned worries they could renew their damaging trade war.

However, there is some confidence they will stick to their commitments after talks at the weekend to review their January tariffs pact.

“The strong sense is that the Trump administration won’t want to jeopardise the deal this side of the election for fear of alienating the important midwest farming constituency,” said Ray Attrill at National Australia Bank.

China has promised major purchases of US farm produce in the deal.

Meanwhile, US lawmakers remain deadlocked in their pursuit of a new stimulus, though observers say that with an election around the corner, Democrats and Republicans will likely reach a deal.

Trump’s executive orders at the weekend deferring payroll taxes, providing $400 in weekly unemployment benefits and making it harder to evict people eased immediate concerns,al though markets say a full deal is key.

Shares in Next Digital, the media company owned by Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai who was arrested under a Chinese security law, surged 668 percent at one point thanks to pro-democracy activists buying it.

– Key figures around 1545 GMT –

London – FTSE 100: UP 1.7 percent at 6,154.34 points (close)

Frankfurt – DAX 30: UP 2.0 percent at 12,946.89 (close)

Paris – CAC 40: UP 2.4 percent at 5,027.99 (close)

EURO STOXX 50: UP 2.2 percent at 3,332.12

New York: Dow: UP 1.0 percent at 28,070.22

Tokyo: Nikkei 225: UP 1.9 percent at 22,750.24 (close)

Hong Kong: Hang Seng: UP 2.1 percent at 24,890.68 (close)

Shanghai: Composite: DOWN 1.2 percent at 3,340.29 (close)

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1780 from $1.1737 at 2115 GMT

Dollar/yen: UP at 106.46 yen from 105.95 yen

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3090 from $1.3065

Euro/pound: UP at 90.00 pence from 89.79

West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.6 percent at $42.21 per barrel

Brent North Sea crude: UP 0.4 percent at $45.17

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