New York, US (BBN) - Here are the top five things you need to know in financial markets on Monday, March 27:
1. GLOBAL STOCKS SLIDE AFTER GOP HEALTHCARE FLOP
US stock market futures pointed to a sharply lower open on Monday morning, with the Dow futures falling by 150 points to a six-week low after President Donald Trump's failure to pass healthcare reform raised doubts over his ability to push through his pro-growth economic agenda, reports Investing.com.
In Europe, stocks were under pressure in mid-morning trade, with Germany's DAX down 1 per cent, while London's FTSE100 dipped 0.9 per cent.
Earlier, in Asia, markets ended in negative territory, with the Shanghai Composite in China closing down around 0.1 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei sank 1.5 per cent to its lowest levels since early February.
2. DOLLAR SINKS TO LOWEST SINCE NOVEMBER AS 'TRUMP TRADE' DEFLATES
The dollar slid to a near five-month low against a basket of currencies on Monday after President Donald Trump's failure to push through a healthcare reform bill prompted investors to question the extent to which he can deliver on growth policies that have been priced in since his election.
The US dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was down almost 0.7 per cent at 98.91 in early New York morning trade.
It fell to an overnight low of 98.87, a level not seen since November 11.
The index had risen to a 14-year high near 104.00 early in January when expectations for significant stimulus under the Trump presidency were at their peak.
Against the yen, the dollar fell more than 1 per cent to 110.12 at one point, its weakest since November 18.
It last traded at 110.35, down around 0.9 per cent for the day (USD/JPY).
Meanwhile, the euro rose to 1.0874 against the greenback, its highest since December 8, and was last at around 1.0860 (EUR/USD).
3. OIL PRICES START THE WEEK LOWER AMID OPEC UNCERTAINTY
Oil prices started the week lower on Monday, holding near the weakest level since the end of November as uncertainty over whether an OPEC-led production cut will be extended beyond June fed concerns about a global supply glut.
US crude was down 39 cents, or about 0.8 per cent, to $47.58 a barrel, while Brent fell 33 cents to $50.59.
A joint committee of ministers from OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers has agreed to review whether a global pact to limit supplies should be extended by six months once again in April, it said in a statement on Sunday.
The statement failed to impress investors, who were hoping for more concrete news on whether output curbs would be extended beyond June.
4. GOLD RISES TO HIGHEST LEVEL IN A MONTH
Gold prices rallied to a four-week high on Monday, as growing doubts about US President Donald Trump's pro-growth economic agenda prompted investors to dump risky assets and rush to safe havens.
Comex gold futures reached a session peak of $1,259.20 a troy ounce, the highest since February 27.
It was last at $1,257.75, up $9.20, or around 0.8 per cent.
5. GERMAN BUSINESS SENTIMENT RISES TO HIGHEST SINCE 2011
German business confidence improved to the highest level since June 2011, suggesting company executives in Europe's largest economy are brushing off concerns about the rising threat of protectionism.
The Ifo German research institute said its Business Climate Index rose to 112.3 this month from a reading of 111.1 in February, above forecasts for 111.0.
The monthly index is based on a survey of around 7,000 German firms in the manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail sectors.
BBN/SK/AD