Equities  

Markets steady despite US and Brazilian concerns

Markets steady despite US and Brazilian concerns

European stockmarkets moved slightly higher in early trading as Asian and US markets appeared to shrug off concerns around political issues in the US and Brazil.

The FTSE 100 index gained 0.4 per cent by 8.20am, while Germany’s Dax index climbed 0.3 per cent in early trading. 

In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei index closed 0.2 per cent higher and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index climbed 0.3 per cent ahead of its close. 

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Stockmarkets wobbled yesterday after reports of bribery allegations against the Brazilian president Michel Temer emerged, and concerns about the investigation into Donald Trump and Russia continued to unfold.

In spite of reports that President Trump called the move to name a special counsel to take over the FBI investigation a “witch hunt”, US stockmarkets ended the session higher, with the Dow Jones gaining 0.3 per cent and the S&P 500 index moving 0.4 per cent higher.