Market Headlines 19/9/2017

US

• US. stocks advanced to fresh records, with the S&P 500 edging up a further 0.1%, while the dollar halted a two-day drop and Treasury yields rose as investors remained optimistic about the economy.
• Markets maintained a risk-on stance after last week’s gains, with investors turning attention to this week’s Federal Reserve meeting. While the central bank is widely expected to keep the benchmark rate unchanged, close attention will be paid to the chance of an increase later in the year and on whether officials will announce the start of a reduction in the bank’s $4.5 trillion balance sheet.
• In geopolitical news, risks continued to dissipate as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told CBS yesterday that the U.S. seeks a peaceful resolution to the tension with North Korea, but is prepared to use military force if diplomatic efforts fail to end the nuclear standoff. The comments were made ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s first address before the United Nations today.

Europe

• European stocks advanced to the highest level in almost six weeks rising 0.3%.
• Out of 18 industry groups 11 gained yesterday, the top performers were the financial services sector which gained 1% following rising bond yields and the Technology sector which gained 0.9%.
• In the UK, the FTSE 100 also gained rising 0.5%. The focus on the UK will turn to Brexit negotiations at the end of the week as PM Theresa may is set to deliver a speech to the UN on Friday outlining the progress made so far.

Asia

• In Asia overnight, Japanese equities played catch-uprising 2% following a holiday on Monday.