Market Commentary | Markets fall into negative territory

European markets fell into negative territory on Wednesday, as a renewed decline in oil prices and weak performance in the tech sector weighed on sentiment.

Asian markets also slipped with Samsung Electronics shares falling sharply after the company said it would permanently stop selling its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone.

In the US, stocks finished mostly higher as investors awaited the release of the Federal Reserve’s September meeting minutes before making any big decisions.

Yet again, crude prices were shaking up sentiment on Wednesday, with prices coming under renewed pressure. Prices were initially higher on Wednesday, but gains were limited as doubts grow over Russia’s willingness to reduce output in the face of the global market battle to stem the supply gut. Prices fell back into the red during afternoon trade.

Shares of Ericsson were significantly lower after the company warned that third-quarter sales will be “significantly lower” than expected because of a drop in sales at its core mobile network equipment business. Shares plunged 19% on this news – the biggest loss since October 2009. At the same time, shares of Finnish telecommunications-technology maker Nokia were trading 5% lower.

Apple shares were in for their seventh straight day of gains on Wednesday, putting them on course to hit their highest prices of 2016, as troubles at Samsung continue to provide a boost. As Samsung’s exploding-phone saga worsened, analysts are speculating that Apple could sell millions of iPhones because of it.

Meanwhile, basic resources outperformed the broader market as metal prices posted solid gains. Shares in Glencore were among the top gainers, after rising 5.7%.

Elsewhere, Lufthansa’s shares were trading in positive territory, jumping 4% after the price target for the stock was raised by Kepler Cheuvreux.

Shares of jewellery manufacturer Pandora also pushed higher after the Dutch firm launched itself online in China on the Alibaba group’s platform Tmall.com.

Investors remain on edge after Alcoa Inc. yesterday dropped the most in seven years, following results that missed analysts’ estimates. The release came as projections called for a sixth quarter of falling earnings for the S&P 500, while speculation intensified that the Fed will raise borrowing costs this year.

Alcoa shares continued to fall on Wednesday, adding another 3% of losses. 

This article was issued by Rebecca Naudi, Trader at Calamatta Cuschieri. For more information visit, www.cc.com.mt. The information, view and opinions provided in this article is being provided solely for educational and informational purposes and should not be construed as investment advice, advice concerning particular investments or investment decisions, or tax or legal advice. Calamatta Cuschieri Investments Services Ltd has not verified and consequently neither warrants the accuracy nor the veracity of any information, views or opinions appearing on this website.