European equity markets opened at a seven-month low as global sentiment stutters and investors digest comments from the U.S. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index opened 0.7% down, with mining stocks experiencing the biggest drop. Meanwhile, the yield on the benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury crossed 5% for the first time in 16 years. German producer prices also posted their biggest year-on-year decline, indicating easing inflation in Europe's largest economy.
Asian investors enter the final trading day of a challenging quarter with a slightly improved outlook following a rebound in global sentiment and risk assets. Key economic indicators from Japan, including retail sales, industrial output, consumer confidence, and Tokyo inflation data, will be released. Additionally, Australian credit and lending figures and Thai manufacturing and current account data are on the regional calendar. The Evergrande saga continues to captivate investors, while China's manufacturing and service sector purchasing managers index reports for September will be released on Sunday. The MSCI World stock index is on track for its first quarterly loss in a year, and the MSCI Asia ex-Japan index is set for its second consecutive quarterly loss. Factors contributing to the challenging quarter include rising U.S. interest rates, surging Treasury yields, a strong dollar rally, underperforming China, tightening financial conditions, and concerns about the global economy. However, the International Monetary Fund sees signs of economic stabilization in China and believes it can grow faster by rebalancing growth towards consumer spending.
