The Business Times

Europe: Persistent rising yield fears dent European shares

Published Fri, Oct 5, 2018 · 09:49 PM
Share this article.

[LONDON] European shares on Friday posted their biggest weekly loss in a month amid persistent fears that US interest rates may have to be raised quicker than expected to stop the economy from overheating after US unemployment fell to near a 49-year low.

US Treasury bond yields are at a seven-year high, echoing a market correction in February when rising yields on risk-free government debt made equities less attractive.

"The strong level of job creation has provided the basis for a rise in US Treasury yields, putting fresh pressure on equities, particularly in Europe", said Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG.

With Wall Street's main indexes in the red, the pan-European STOXX 600 benchmark closed down 0.8 per cent, Germany's DAX declined 1.1 per cent and the UK's FTSE fell 1.4 per cent.

Among the top movers was Danske Bank, which is facing a US criminal investigation into a 200 billion euro (S$318.97 billion) money laundering scandal at its Estonian branch.

Shares in Denmark's biggest bank were down 6.2 per cent after a rating cut by Credit Suisse.

The banking sector, which typically benefits from higher interest rates and rising yields, was nonetheless in the red, with a 0.9 per cent decline.

Shares in Unilever lost 0.6 per cent after its management announced a dramatic U-turn, withdrawing its move to the Netherlands.

There was no rebound for France's Kering, down 2 per cent after the European luxury sector fell on concerns about the Chinese market.

Separately, the head of the Gucci brand has reassured shop staff over a looming slowdown in the pace of sales growth according to an internal video message seen by Reuters.

Among smaller companies, shares in Intu Properties soared 27 per cent after a consortium, including British billionaire John Whittakèer and Canada's Brookfield Asset Management, said it was considering a bid for the shopping centre owner.

Gold miner Centamin fell 16 per cent after cutting its annual production target.

REUTERS

BT is now on Telegram!

For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to  t.me/BizTimes

Capital Markets & Currencies

SUPPORT SOUTH-EAST ASIA'S LEADING FINANCIAL DAILY

Get the latest coverage and full access to all BT premium content.

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Browse corporate subscription here