Asian Markets Mixed Amid Hints of US Rate Hike

Asian markets were mixed following hints of a potential rate hike in December by the U.S. Federal Reserve, despite weak corporate earnings and lower crude oil prices. Stocks in Europe were trading lower, with major indices down 0.5-1.5 percent. In the U.S., stock futures were weaker ahead of the release of third-quarter GDP data, which is set to be released later Thursday. Investors are closely watching the Federal Reserve's next meeting in December, where a rate hike may be considered.

Key Takeaways:

• Asian markets were mixed, with the Shanghai Composite gaining 0.36 percent and the Hang Seng index losing 0.60 percent.
• European stocks were trading lower, with the FTSE 100 down 0.89 percent, the CAC 40 down 0.48 percent, and the DAX down 0.16 percent.
• The pan-European Stoxx 600 was down 0.15 percent, while the U.K.'s Barclays PLC and Denmark's Danske Bank shares fell due to weak quarterly results.
• Big oil companies like Total, Royal Dutch Shell, and Eni reported a sharp fall in profit margins due to lower crude oil prices.
• U.S. stock futures were trading weaker, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 index down by about 0.4 percent.
• The Nasdaq stock futures were down 0.48 percent.
• The U.S. Federal Reserve kept rates unchanged but hinted at a potential rate hike in December.

Statistics:

• The FTSE 100 was down 0.89 percent.
• The CAC 40 was down 0.48 percent.
• The DAX was down 0.16 percent.
• The pan-European Stoxx 600 was down 0.15 percent.
• The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down by about 0.4 percent.
• The S&P 500 index futures were down by about 0.4 percent.
• The Nasdaq stock futures were down 0.48 percent.

Sources:

• www.ibtimes.com/us-q3-gdp-data-likely-show-sharp-drop-economic-growth-2161337
• www.ibtimes.com/fed-rate-hike-three-things-we-learned-october-fed-meeting-2160619