Asian stocks fell on Tuesday, following US and European markets down amid news of more financial industry job cuts led by Citigroup. Downbeat comments from policymakers also reflected worsening economic conditions. The dollar however held broadly firm as investors continued to seek safety in the world’s foremost reserve currency.
Asian markets (Tues)
5:20am BST
Nikkei down 119.01 (-1.4%) at 8,403.57
Topix down 7.49 (-0.88%) at 843.00
Hang Seng down 398.30 (-2.94%) at 13,131.23
US markets (Sat)
DJIA down 223.73 (-2.63%) at 8,273.58
Nasdaq down 34.80 (-2.29%) at 1,482.05
S&P500 down 22.54 (-2.58%) at 850.75
European markets (Sat)
FTSE100 down 100.81 (-2.38%) at 4,132.16
Eurofirst 300 down 22.17 (-2.58%) at 837.41
Currencies
5:19am BST
€/$ 1.2620 (1.2566)
$/¥ 96.58 (97.34)
£/$ 1.4980 (1.4739)
Commodities (updated)
5:21am BST
Brent Crude (Jan09) up 0.33 at 52.64
Light Crude (Dec08) up 0.41 at 55.36
100 Oz Gold (Dec08) down 3.00 at 739.00
3M 24HR Copper down 170.00 at 3,655.00
10-year government bond yields (%)
US 3.65 (3.73)
UK 4.10 (4.09)
Germany 3.67 (3.67)
Japan 1.49 (1.49)
Sources: FT, Reuters