Stock markets surge, pound in focus

LONDON - Europe led a stock markets surge yesterday as bargainbuyers moved in following recent sell-offs triggered by fresh virus spikes and the reimposition of economically damaging containment measures.

As the coronavirus death toll topped one million, the World Health Organization warned that figure could double without more global collective action.

“Markets are off to a promising start, with investors in no way deterred by the number of major risk events to come,” said Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at Oanda trading group.

Elsewhere, investors were keeping an eye on yesterday’s resumption of trade talks between Britain and the European Union, hoping for a breakthrough despite feuding over a controversial UK bill that threatens to scupper a deal.

The pound rallied against the dollar and euro on optimism surrounding the latest talks -- and after a Bank of England official dismissed talk of possible negative interest rates to boost the UK economy.

London and Brussels say a free-trade agreement must be struck by mid-October to allow time for it to be ratified before coming into force on January 1.

Traders were also awaiting the first US presidential debate this week, which could prove crucial in determining November’s election, with many worried that a close vote might mean the result is delayed or even challenged by the loser.

US lawmakers meanwhile remain at loggerheads over a second rescue package, with Democrats and Republicans miles apart on their proposals.

On the corporate front, German industrial giant Siemens on Monday spun off its energy division, with a below-expectations valuation of 16 billion euros, in one of the largest stock market debuts in Europe this year.

Shares in Siemens Energy traded at 22.01 euros at the open, before slipping back slightly.

HSBC shares surged more than eight percent in London following news that its biggest investor Ping An Insurance Group had lifted its stake in the bank on confidence it will return to profit and resume paying dividends.

The bank was included in a group of lenders said to have allowed fraudsters to transfer millions of dollars around the world, and on fears it could be added to a Chinese list of firms deemed a threat to national security.

Shares in steel giant ArcelorMittal soared almost nine percent after the firm said it would merge its US operations with producer Cleveland-Cliffs.