US-China trade talk hopes support global equities

Alterations in market perception of easing of trade war tensions between the US and China drove global market volatility last week. Optimism world’s two largest economies could start working toward an acceptable trade settlement helped lift global stock market while dollar weakened.

The SP 500 rebounded 1.2% last week while the ICE dollar index fell 0.4%. The broad US stock market index advanced every session last week, logging the biggest gain of 0.5% on Thursday as US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin invited China to new talks.

The dollar weakened every session last week except Friday. The ICE dollar index fell 0.3% Thursday as the August consumer price index came in 0.2% higher instead of an expected 0.3% gain.

China’s actions in response to apparent US resolve to impose tariffs in order to make China institute effective intellectual property rights system and open more its market to foreign investment will remain the global equity market driver this week. Interest rate decisions by the Bank of Japan and Swiss National Bank on Tuesday and Thursday respectively are the other most significant events this week.