Europe opens lower
Sentiment continues to sour this week in equity markets. European stocks have opened lower following another late sell-off in the US and some big declines in Asia. The Nasdaq 100 reversed a 1% gain to end 0.2% lower on in another daily reversal of sentiment. Another Brexit-led decline in Sterling is keeping losses on the FTSE 100 in check. It began as a rotation from the outperforming tech sector into the financial sector on tax reform progress. Sector rotations are morphing into more broad-based profit-taking into year-end.
Japan optimism fading
In Asia, the negativity is setting in too. Japans Nikkei stock average closed down 2% for its biggest loss of 2017. After such a strong run up following the re-election of Shinzo Abe, Japanese stocks look like theyve made an interim top. Investors looking for a haven in the yen in response to rising volatility in other markets will add to the woes of Japanese shareholders.
Shopping centre owners consolidate
Shares of Intu Properties have jumped following a 3.4bn offer by rival property Group Hammerson. The deal would create one of the UKs largest shopping centre operators. The offer of 353.9p per share is a 27% premium of the Dec 5 closing price. Intu shares were down over -25% YTD before the announcement so its an opportunistic buy. Intu share prices losses have accelerated on signs British shoppers are tightening purse strings. The cost of living squeeze on UK consumers from higher inflation is forcing companies like Hammerson and Intu into action. The new group will have a combined 21bn retail property portfolio. Online shopping means shopping centres and high street shopping are in a long-term malaise. Shareholders will want to see assets sold down in the merged company to help fund the deal and to reflect the lower demand for brick and mortar stores.
Tory Revolt heaps more political pressure on Sterling
Theresa May looks closer to losing power than at any point since the election. A day after losing support from the DUP for her text on the Irish border, she appears to be losing the backing of her own party on the issue of EU regulations. Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Moggs comment that the UK harmonising its regulations with the EU marks a red line in Brexit negations is an opinion widely-shared. The British pound is holding up remarkably well in the face of the latest Brexit problems. Sterlings resilience can be viewed as either markets looking through the noise with the belief the UK and EU will move onto trade talks eventually, or perhaps that new Tory leadership would mean a softer Brexit.
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