Stock markets little changed, pound under pressure

LONDON: Global stock markets were easier Wednesday after recent record gains in the US while growing concerns about a no-deal Brexit kept the pound under pressure.

The pound dropped to $1.2382, its lowest since April 2017 but recovered some lost ground by mid-afternoon in London to trade at $1.2409.

Sterling was also steadier against the euro after hitting fresh six-month lows.

Traders said the overall outlook depends on what happens on US interest rates as concerns continue over US-China trade tensions.

"Investors are clearly worried that the ongoing trade standoff between the US and China may hurt economic growth and require a looser monetary policy now rather than later," Fawad Razaqzada of Forex.com said in a note.

President Donald Trump in his latest remarks hit out at what he says is a lack of follow-through from Beijing on promises to buy more farm goods just as more high-level talks were due to take place this week.

There had been hopes of some sort of progress after Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed at the G20 last month to restart talks.

Tapas Strickland, senior analyst at National Australia Bank, said there were "no signs that tensions will abate anytime soon".

-- Brexit blues --

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Oanda analyst Craig Erlam said there was "little doubt that the threat of no-deal Brexit is what's driving" the pound.

The battle to be Britain's next prime minister is entering the final stretch with both candidates hardening their positions on Brexit, putting the future government on a collision course with Brussels.

The business community and many lawmakers fear dire economic consequences from a no-deal Brexit which would lead to immediate trade tariffs for certain sectors including the automotive industry.

On the oil market, both main contracts were firmer after sharp losses of more than three percent on Tuesday as tensions between the US and Iran appeared to be easing.

- Key figures around 1400 GMT -

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Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2421 from $1.2408 at 2040 GMT

Euro/pound: UP at 90.36 pence from 90.32 pence

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1222 from $1.1211

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 108.24 yen from 108.26 yen

London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.34 percent at 7,551.38 points

Frankfurt - DAX 30: DOWN 0.21 percent at 12,404.95

Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.32 percent at 5,596.41

EURO STOXX 50: DOWN 0.11 percent at 3,517.46

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.3 percent at 21,469.18 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng: DOWN 0.1 percent at 28,593.17 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.2 percent at 2,931.69 (close)

New York - Dow: FLAT at 27,337.05

Brent North Sea crude: UP 1.04 percent at $65.02 per barrel

West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.61 percent at $57.97 per barrel