Market information Monday February 1st

Figures from the Department of Commerce showed that US growth is strongly slowing down in the last quarter of 2015. The economy grew 0.7% on a yearly basis in the fourth quarter compared to 2.0% and 3.9% in respectively the third and second quarter. According to the Department of Commerce, growth fell because businesses reduced their stock and the strong US dollar has a negative impact on exports. Furthermore, due to low oil prices the investments by the oil industry have decreased.

Inflation in the Eurozone has risen slightly in January, but remains at a low level. Inflation in the Eurozone increased to 0.4%, compared to 0.2% in December. These figures were published by  the European statistical office. The underlying inflation, inflation without the effect of falling oil prices, rose  from 0.9% to 1.0%.

The purchasing managers’ index in China amounted 49.4 in January, compared to a forecast of 49.6. The Chinese stock market (Shanghai Composite) dropped 1.7%. Also in Hong Kong markets closed with a loss, the Hang Seng Index recorded a minus of 0.9%. In Japan, however, stock markets were up. The Nikkei index closed 1.8% higher.

The 6M Euribor remained unchanged at -0.08%. The 10Y Swap decreased 5 basispoints to 0.66%.