Five Things You Need to Know to Start Your Day
Five Things You Need to Know to Start Your Day
(Bloomberg) --
Iran strikes back, markets mostly shrug, and Ghosn ready to tell his story. Here are some of the things people in markets are talking about today.
Missile strike
Iran fired more than a dozen missiles at U.S.-Iraqi airbases in retaliation for the killing of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. There’s been no comment on any toll from the U.S., while the Iraqi prime minister’s office said there were no casualties, with President Donald Trump tweeting that “all is well!” after the strike. Trump is due to make a statement this morning in Washington, with analysts seeing the development as a relatively measured response that could allow both sides to de-escalate the standoff.
Boeing crash
Also in Iran, a Boeing Co. 737-800 jet bound for Ukraine crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all 167 passengers and nine crew on board. The plane was most likely brought down by an engine fire, according to Tehran authorities. The disaster comes at a tense time for both Boeing and Iran, with the crashed plane a predecessor of the company’s grounded 733 Max jet. Given the current climate it may be difficult for officials from Boeing to take part in the investigation. To round off a very busy few hours in the country, the south of Iran was struck by an earthquake though the nearby nuclear reactor escaped damage, according to officials.
Markets recover
Global equities dropped in the immediate aftermath of the missile attack. However, markets soon pared those losses as hopes rose that the response could lead to a cooling of tensions. Overnight, the MSCI Asia Pacific Index dropped 0.8% while Europe’s Stoxx 600 Index was 0.2% lower by 5:45 a.m. Eastern Time. S&P 500 futures had erased all losses to trade slightly higher, the 10-year Treasury yield was at 1.800% and Brent crude had reversed almost all of its $3-a-barrel surge.
Ghosn speaks
Former chief executive officer of Nissan Motor Co. and Renault SA Carlos Ghosn is set to give a press conference in Beirut at 3:00 p.m. (8:00 a.m Eastern) today. While he has already hinted that he’ll identify those he considers responsible for his downfall, it is likely that much of the media focus will be on how exactly he escaped Japan. Nissan, meanwhile, is preparing for a renewed legal and public relations battle as the company could come under further pressure to justify the investigation into its former leader.
Coming up…
It’s payrolls week, so December ADP employment change numbers are due at 8:15 a.m. Already busy oil traders get some data to chew over when inventory date is released at 10:30 a.m. Fed Governor Lael Brainard is today’s only Fed speaker. Consumer credit numbers for December are published at 3:00 p.m. Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., Constellation Brands Inc., and Bed, Bath & Beyond Inc. are among the companies reporting earnings.
What we've been reading
This is what's caught our eye over the last 24 hours.
- Iran headlines lead algorithms to make money-losing trades.
- McConnell says Republicans have the votes to set Trump trial terms.
- Mysterious Swiss trader emerges as witness in insider-trading trial.
- China’s next crisis brews in Taiwan’s upcoming election.
- Why 5G mobile is arriving with a subplot of espionage.
- The worst drought in 40 years has turned Bangkok water salty.
- The Milky Way’s impending galactic collision is already birthing new stars.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Cecile Gutscher at cgutscher@bloomberg.net, Sid Verma
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