European stocks experienced a slight increase on Tuesday, with the pan-European Stoxx 600 index trading 0.2% higher in the afternoon. Despite earlier losses, utilities saw a rise of 0.8% while mining stocks slipped by 0.7%. This follows a mixed closing for European stocks on Monday, with upcoming U.S. and U.K. inflation data attracting investor attention.
The Office for National Statistics released wage data on Tuesday, indicating a 5.4% year-on-year growth in pay excluding bonuses between April and June – the lowest rate in two years. The unemployment rate also fell to 4.2% from 4.4%, contrary to expectations of an increase to 4.5%. Jack Kennedy, a senior economist at jobs site Indeed, pointed out that although the labor market remains “fairly tight,” wage pressures are softening gradually, potentially limiting the scope for monetary easing by the Bank of England this year.
Impact on Monetary Policy
With U.K. inflation data due on Wednesday, the figures are crucial following the Bank of England’s recent interest rate cut of 25 basis points. Economists are anticipating a slight increase in the headline rate to 2.3% from 2% over the past two months. Market forecasts predict further rate cuts totaling 50 basis points this year, with the Bank of England’s current key rate at 5%. The British pound strengthened following the labor market data announcement, trading up 0.4% against the U.S. dollar at $1.2817.
Investors worldwide are also awaiting the release of the latest U.S. inflation data to assess the health of the world’s largest economy. Tuesday’s data revealed that the U.S. producer price index, a gauge of wholesale prices, only rose by 0.1% in July, falling short of expectations. This development is likely to provide further support to the Federal Reserve’s plan to reduce interest rates. U.S. stocks reacted positively to the news, with attention shifting to the forthcoming release of the consumer price index on Wednesday.
Overall, the impact of economic data on European stocks is vital for investors, shaping market sentiment and influencing monetary policy decisions by central banks. As global economic uncertainties persist, market participants continue to monitor these indicators closely to navigate the ever-evolving financial landscape.