world capital market

World Capital Markets 16.01.2025

ASIA/PACIFIC


-The Australian stock market surged on Thursday as unemployment rate in the country came in at a seasonally adjusted 4.0 percent in December, increasing the chances of an interest rate cut in February.

-Asian stocks gained as soft inflation readings from the U.S. spurred expectations for more Fed rate cuts this year.

-The Bank of Korea decided to maintain its interest rate unchanged at 3% despite political unrest intensifying downside risks to economic growth and increased volatility in the won exchange rate.

. EUROPE


-European markets traded higher as benign U.S. inflation readings kept the door open for potential rate cuts by the Federal Reserve this year.

-Europe’s IPO market is set to reopen this month with the IPO of Spanish travel technology firm HBX Group.

-Euro area’s trade surplus stood at €16.4 billion in November, up from October’s revised figure of €8.6 billion, Eurostat said.

. AMERICAS  


North America

-U.S. stock futures were higher early Thursday after the S&P 500 posted its best day since November.

Latin America

-Citi says Banamex IPO could run into 2026: The sale of Mexican retail banking ops could take longer than expected due to market conditions, regulatory delays, CEO told Latin Finance.

-Brazilian bank Bradesco returned to global bond market, printing its first international bond in three years, raising $750 million.

. AFRICA


-Despite notable IPOs like Premier Group and Boxer, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) faces a decade-long decline in listings, according to The Africa report.

-The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) plans to support Nigerian airlines with 25 aircraft via a leasing subsidiary, using dry lease financing to boost their competitiveness.

-The results in the Absa African Financial Markets Index (AFMI) 2024 reveal clear and widespread progress being made across the continent, with overall scores rising for 23 of the African countries covered – the highest share of improvers since the index began in 2017.

. MIDDLE EAST


-Most stock markets in the Gulf rose in early trade on Thursday, as softer U.S. core inflation data maintained the possibility of future interest rate reductions by the Federal Reserve.

-Global sukuk issuance will reach between $190 billion and $200 billion in 2025, driven by the anticipated growth in the GCC region, S&P Global Ratings Islamic Finance Head Mohamed Damak told Zawya.

-Bahrain’s Bank ABC is pricing $400 million Reg S AT1 capital securities with initial price thoughts (IPT) at the low 8% area.


Spot gold held its ground at $2,696.30 per ounce, as of 0301 GMT, while U.S. gold futures gained 0.3% to $2,725.20 according to Reuters.

Spot silver shed 0.2% to $30.61 per ounce and palladium dropped 0.3% to $958.50. Platinum steadied at $938.25.

Brent crude futures rose 30 cents, or 0.4%, to $82.33 per barrel by 0120 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 32 cents, or 0.4%, to $80.36 a barrel.