Market Information Friday 24 January 2020

The European stock markets closed lower on Thursday out of fear for a further outbreak of the corona virus. The AEX closed 1% lower at 605.6, while the German DAX (-1%) and British FTSE 100 (-0.9%) took a step back as well. Oil prices dropped more than 2% due to the uncertainty about the economic consequences of the virus. The sentiment on Wallstreet improved after the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that it is too early to declare a global crisis. The Dow-Jones closed 0.1% lower, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq ended 0.1% and 0.2% in the plus respectively.

The ECB has announced a change in its policy for the inflation target and the instruments to achieve this target for later this year. It is the first time since 2003 that the ECB will redefine the monetary strategy. The ECB will also evaluate the side effects of the asset purchase program and the negative interest rate. For now, the monetary policy remains unchanged.

In Japan, the Nikkei closed 0.1% higher on Friday. The oil price recorded a small plus as well. In China, the stock markets remain closed due to the celebration of the Chinese New Year. At the same time, there is a major restriction on the ability to travel in China due to the corona virus outbreak, while the Chinese New Year period is considered the most important holiday period of the year.

The 6M Euribor is unchanged at -0.33% compared to previous business day. The 10Y Swap decreased with 4 basis points to 0.06% compared to previous business day.

In the attachment, today’s market data on money and capital market rates as well as other rates are presented.