Spreadbetters expected European stocks to open mixed, with Britain's FTSE inching up 0.1pc, Germany's DAX retreating 0.05pc and France's CAC starting flat. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan shed 0.5pc, easing back from a four-month peak touched the previous day. Trump's stance rattled investors hoping for a resolution to the months-long trade dispute between the world's biggest economies. "Equities will face further hurdles next week, as (US Treasury Secretary Steven) Mnuchin and (Trade Representative Robert) Lighthizer will be visiting China. Oil fell as the market was hurt by concerns that global demand growth would lag in the coming year.

Source: Irish Independent February 08, 2019 07:41 UTC