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European Equities: Brexit, Italy and Trade Put Geopolitics Front and Center

In This Article:

Economic Calendar:

Wednesday, 4th September

  • Spanish Services PMI (Aug)

  • Italian Services PMI (Aug)

  • French Services PMI (Aug) Final

  • German Services PMI (Aug) Final

  • Eurozone Markit Composite PMI (Aug) Final

  • Eurozone Services PMI (Aug) Final

  • Eurozone Retail Sales m/m (Jul)

Thursday, 5th September

  • German Factory Orders m/m (Jul)

Friday, 6th September

  • German Industrial Production m/m (Jul)

  • Eurozone GDP y/y (Q2) 3rd Estimate

  • Eurozone GDP q/q (Q2) 3rd Estimate

The Majors

It was a positive start to the month of September for the majors. The EuroStoxx600 led the way, gaining 0.32%, with the CAC40 and DAX30 rising by 0.23% and 0.12% respectively.

Outside of the stats, it was a slow start to the week in spite of China’s manufacturing sector returning to growth in August. China’s Caixin Manufacturing PMI reflected a return to expansion. This was in contrast to China’s NBS Manufacturing PMI from the weekend that continued to reflect a contraction in the sector.

The U.S rolled out fresh tariffs over the weekend that tested market resolve in the early part of the day. In response to weak stats over the weekend and the latest tariffs, the PBoC set the midpoint at CNY7.0883 against the Greenback in response. This was the lowest level since a previous low 7.0879 set back in 2008.

On the geopolitical front, Brexit and UK politics grabbed the headlines through the day. Boris Johnson announced that a General Election would be held on 14th October should MPs block a no-deal Brexit later today.

The Stats

It was a busy day on the Eurozone economic calendar on Monday.

Key stats included August manufacturing PMI figures out of Spain and Italy, together with finalized numbers out of France, Germany, and the Eurozone.

Spain’s Manufacturing PMI rose from 48.2 to 48.8 in August, coming in ahead of a forecasted 48.5.

Italy’s Manufacturing PMI increased from 48.5 to 48.7 in August, coming in ahead of a forecasted 48.5.

Also on the positive was an upward revision to the French PMI. The finalized PMI came in at 51.1, up from a prelim and forecast 51.0 and July 49.7.

On the negative front, Germany’s manufacturing PMI was revised downwards from 43.6 to 43.5. In July, the PMI stood at 43.2.

The Eurozone’s Manufacturing PMI came in at 47.0, which was in line with prelim and forecast. In July the PMI had stood at 46.5.

According to the finalized Markit Survey,

  • Employment declined for a 4th consecutive month in August, as production and new orders fell further and confidence fell to the lowest level since Nov-12.

  • France, Greece and the Netherlands were the only member states to report an increase in new orders. In contrast, Germany reported the largest decline in new orders.

  • Greece’s manufacturing PMI hit a 4-month high 54.9 to sit at the top of the PMI table.

  • The Netherlands and France came 2nd and 3rd respectively, with 3-month and 2-month highs.

  • Ireland’s PMI slid to a 76-month low 48.6, while Germany’s 2-month high 43.5 left the Eurozone’s economic powerhouse at the bottom of the table.