European Markets in the Morning Session on January 22

The United Kingdom’s FTSE 100 Index pulled back last week and broke the six-week gaining streak. The FTSE 100 Index opened lower on Monday but traded above the opening prices with decreased momentum in the morning session.

The market sentiment was weak most of last week amid a decrease in the risk appetite and profit-booking at elevated levels. However, the sentiment improved by the end of the week amid improved expectations about corporate earnings. On Monday, the market opened lower. The sentiment wasn’t dented by concerns about the US government shutdown. Strength in the retail sector is supporting the market in the morning session.

The market is looking forward to the release of December’s U.K. Public Sector Net Borrowing and January’s U.K. CBI Industrial Trends Orders on Tuesday. At 4:25 AM EST today, the FTSE 100 Index was trading at 7,733.50—a gain of 0.05%. The iShares MSCI United Kingdom (EWU) rose 0.13% on January 19.

Germany’s DAX Index regained strength last week and closed the week at 2.5-month high price levels. Although concerns about the US government shutdown didn’t alter the market sentiment in Europe, there was a lower risk appetite. The DAX Index opened higher on Monday but traded below opening prices in the morning session due to the lower risk appetite. On the other hand, the market is supported by the votes for coalition talks.

At 4:30 AM EST on January 22, the DAX Index was trading at 13,419.50—a fall of 0.1%. The iShares MSCI Germany (EWG) rose 1.1% on January 19.

After gaining for three consecutive trading weeks, France’s CAC 40 Index opened lower on Monday. Increased caution in the market amid concerns about the US government shutdown weighed on the CAC 40 Index in the early hours on Monday. The market is looking forward to the release of France’s January manufacturing purchasing managers’ index on Tuesday.

At 4:35 AM EST today, the CAC 40 Index was trading at 5,517.50—a fall of 0.16%. The iShares MSCI France (EWQ) rose 0.58% on January 19.

In the next part of this series, we’ll discuss how US Treasury yields and the US dollar performed in the early hours on Monday.