This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2015/oct/16/markets-rally-us-rate-hike-volkswagen-sales-business-live

The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Markets rally as investors see no early US rate hike - business live Markets rally as investors see no early US rate hike - business live
(35 minutes later)
9.01am BST09:01
Nestlé hit by noodles recall
Food giant Nestlé is missing out on today’s rally, after missing sales forecasts and cutting its outlook.
Shares in Nestlé are down 2% today, with investors disappointed that revenue has fallen by 2.1% in the first nine months of the year.
The Swiss firm also cut its 2015 outlook to around 4.5%, below its long-term target of between 5% and 6%.
Nestlé suffered emerging market from weakness in China, and also a major food recall in India. In June, Indian regulators slammed its Maggi instant noodle products as “unsafe and hazardous”.
Updated at 9.03am BST
8.47am BST08:478.47am BST08:47
The diesel emissions scandal appears to have cost Volkswagen some ground in the European auto sector.The diesel emissions scandal appears to have cost Volkswagen some ground in the European auto sector.
New figures released this morning showed that car registrations rose for the 29th month running, as the industry continued to recover from the dark days of the eurozone debt crisis.New figures released this morning showed that car registrations rose for the 29th month running, as the industry continued to recover from the dark days of the eurozone debt crisis.
Total sales jumped by 9.8% in September, but Volkswagen only sold 8.3% more cars compared to a year ago.Total sales jumped by 9.8% in September, but Volkswagen only sold 8.3% more cars compared to a year ago.
This cut VW’s market share to 23.3%, down from 23.7%.This cut VW’s market share to 23.3%, down from 23.7%.
That’s not a major decline - but remember that the emissions scandal only broke in mid-September, so this could be just the start....That’s not a major decline - but remember that the emissions scandal only broke in mid-September, so this could be just the start....
Related: Volkswagen market share declines in SeptemberRelated: Volkswagen market share declines in September
8.35am BST08:358.35am BST08:35
Back in Shanghai, the Chinese stock market has hit a seven-week high as fears over its economy recede a little.Back in Shanghai, the Chinese stock market has hit a seven-week high as fears over its economy recede a little.
The Shanghai Composite jumped 1.4% today, suggesting traders aren’t too worried about Monday’s growth figures:The Shanghai Composite jumped 1.4% today, suggesting traders aren’t too worried about Monday’s growth figures:
Shanghai Comp up 6.5% for the week, posting its best weekly performance since early JuneShanghai Comp up 6.5% for the week, posting its best weekly performance since early June
8.26am BST08:268.26am BST08:26
European stock markets are putting recent turbulence behind them.European stock markets are putting recent turbulence behind them.
The main indices are all up in early trading, with Britain’s bluechip FTSE 100 index jumping by 34 points of 0.5%. That means the Footsie has gained over 5% in October.The main indices are all up in early trading, with Britain’s bluechip FTSE 100 index jumping by 34 points of 0.5%. That means the Footsie has gained over 5% in October.
Here’s the situation:Here’s the situation:
European markets are now on track for their longest series of gains since April, points out Mike van Dulken of Accendo Markets.European markets are now on track for their longest series of gains since April, points out Mike van Dulken of Accendo Markets.
He adds:He adds:
This remains driven by weak/mixed macro data from China, US and Europe delaying expectations for a Fed rate hike and high hopes of additional global stimulus which is considered positive for risk appetite.This remains driven by weak/mixed macro data from China, US and Europe delaying expectations for a Fed rate hike and high hopes of additional global stimulus which is considered positive for risk appetite.
8.13am BST08:138.13am BST08:13
Yesterday’s US inflation data is also helping to push money into shares.Yesterday’s US inflation data is also helping to push money into shares.
Prices fell by 0.2% month-on-month in September, leaving the price of living unchanged year on year.Prices fell by 0.2% month-on-month in September, leaving the price of living unchanged year on year.
“Money managers are saying it looks increasingly like the Fed will not hike because the data around the world is coming in weak,” Mads Pedersen, head of global asset allocation at UBS Wealth Management, told the Wall Street Journal.“Money managers are saying it looks increasingly like the Fed will not hike because the data around the world is coming in weak,” Mads Pedersen, head of global asset allocation at UBS Wealth Management, told the Wall Street Journal.
“Lukewarm data is good for equities again, just like it has been for most of this recovery.”“Lukewarm data is good for equities again, just like it has been for most of this recovery.”
7.56am BST07:567.56am BST07:56
A flurry of weak corporate data in recent days has left most economists convinced that the Fed won’t raise interest rates at its monetary policy meeting later this month.A flurry of weak corporate data in recent days has left most economists convinced that the Fed won’t raise interest rates at its monetary policy meeting later this month.
This week we’ve seen falling profits at Goldman Sachs, a profit warning from Walmart, and even falling demand for high end Winnebagos as US consumers cut back.This week we’ve seen falling profits at Goldman Sachs, a profit warning from Walmart, and even falling demand for high end Winnebagos as US consumers cut back.
And earlier this month, the US employment figures were a big disappointment - with much fewer new jobs created than expected (just 142,000).And earlier this month, the US employment figures were a big disappointment - with much fewer new jobs created than expected (just 142,000).
That doesn’t add up to the first rise in US interest rates since the financial crisis began.That doesn’t add up to the first rise in US interest rates since the financial crisis began.
David Levy, portfolio manager at Kenjol Capital Management, explains:David Levy, portfolio manager at Kenjol Capital Management, explains:
“Investors are reacting to the increasing likelihood that the Fed rate hike, which had been expected just a month ago in September, now likely won’t happen during the course of this year.”“Investors are reacting to the increasing likelihood that the Fed rate hike, which had been expected just a month ago in September, now likely won’t happen during the course of this year.”
7.50am BST07:507.50am BST07:50
There’s also talk in the markets that the Chinese government could announce fresh stimulus measures soon.There’s also talk in the markets that the Chinese government could announce fresh stimulus measures soon.
Pressure on Beijing could grow on Monday, when Chinese GDP figures are released. Economists predict that growth slowed to 6.8% in the last quarter, down from 7% in Q2.Pressure on Beijing could grow on Monday, when Chinese GDP figures are released. Economists predict that growth slowed to 6.8% in the last quarter, down from 7% in Q2.
7.43am BST07:437.43am BST07:43
Asian markets hit two-month highsAsian markets hit two-month highs
Asia-Pacific stock markets have hit their highest level in two months, as traders in Tokyo, Shanghai and Melbourne anticipate that the era of ultra-low global interest rates isn’t over yet.Asia-Pacific stock markets have hit their highest level in two months, as traders in Tokyo, Shanghai and Melbourne anticipate that the era of ultra-low global interest rates isn’t over yet.
Japan’s Nikkei jumped 1%, on hopes that the US Federal Reserve isn’t going to end the party this month. Other stock markets in the region are also showing gains:Japan’s Nikkei jumped 1%, on hopes that the US Federal Reserve isn’t going to end the party this month. Other stock markets in the region are also showing gains:
7.16am BST07:167.16am BST07:16
The Agenda: Markets to rally on US Fed hopesThe Agenda: Markets to rally on US Fed hopes
Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of the world economy, the financial markets, the eurozone and business.Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of the world economy, the financial markets, the eurozone and business.
Investors will be watching the US economy closely today, for signs that the world’s largest economy may be slowing. There are two pieces of economic data on the agenda:Investors will be watching the US economy closely today, for signs that the world’s largest economy may be slowing. There are two pieces of economic data on the agenda:
Economists reckon the figures might be weak, as Michael Hewson of CMC Markets explains:Economists reckon the figures might be weak, as Michael Hewson of CMC Markets explains:
Today’s US industrial and manufacturing production data for September are expected to reinforce the disappointing narrative with declines in both of -0.3% and -0.2% respectively, both of which would be negative for the second month in succession.Today’s US industrial and manufacturing production data for September are expected to reinforce the disappointing narrative with declines in both of -0.3% and -0.2% respectively, both of which would be negative for the second month in succession.
And negative economic data looks good for stocks right now....And negative economic data looks good for stocks right now....
...so shares in Europe are expected to rise, as traders bet that the US Federal Reserve could leave interest rates unchanged for the rest of the year....so shares in Europe are expected to rise, as traders bet that the US Federal Reserve could leave interest rates unchanged for the rest of the year.
As Hewson puts it, with the data so mixed....As Hewson puts it, with the data so mixed....
.... is hard to see how policymakers can arrive at a consensus for what would be a momentous decision of being the first rise in US rates for 9 years. No-one will want to be remembered for getting a call of that magnitude wrong..... is hard to see how policymakers can arrive at a consensus for what would be a momentous decision of being the first rise in US rates for 9 years. No-one will want to be remembered for getting a call of that magnitude wrong.
Our European opening calls: $FTSE 6386 up 47 $DAX 10150 up 85 $CAC 4714 up 39 $IBEX 10215 up 113 $MIB 22403 up 185Our European opening calls: $FTSE 6386 up 47 $DAX 10150 up 85 $CAC 4714 up 39 $IBEX 10215 up 113 $MIB 22403 up 185
There’s also financial results from foodmaker Nestlé, French supermarket Carrefour, and UK retailer John Lewis (of which more shortly....).There’s also financial results from foodmaker Nestlé, French supermarket Carrefour, and UK retailer John Lewis (of which more shortly....).
Updated at 7.31am BSTUpdated at 7.31am BST