EMERGING MARKETS-EMEA stocks dip, Turkey inches up as economic confidence improves

The death toll from COVID-19 reached half a million on Sunday, according to a Reuters tally, and several countries, including the United States, grappled with a resurgence in cases after relaxing measures to curb the pandemic. Bourses in South Africa, Russia and Hungary traded in a flat-to-low range, with most other stock indexes in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) sticking to similar ranges.


Reuters | Updated: 29-06-2020 14:24 IST | Created: 29-06-2020 14:24 IST
EMERGING MARKETS-EMEA stocks dip, Turkey inches up as economic confidence improves

Emerging market stocks extended losses into a fourth straight session on Monday, as the spread of the coronavirus around the world dampened optimism over a swift economic recovery. The death toll from COVID-19 reached half a million on Sunday, according to a Reuters tally, and several countries, including the United States, grappled with a resurgence in cases after relaxing measures to curb the pandemic.

Bourses in South Africa, Russia and Hungary traded in a flat-to-low range, with most other stock indexes in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) sticking to similar ranges. Risk assets in the region had recently marked some gains, but they appeared to be falling into a trading range similar to that seen after the initial coronavirus-driven selldown in March.

The MSCI's index of developing world stocks trended about 0.7% lower for the day. While the index has risen about 31% from lows hit in March, it remains about 14% off a pre-pandemic peak in January. Turkish stocks slightly outperformed their peers for the day after data showed the country's economic confidence index rebounded 19.1% month-on-month in June. The lira was flat to the dollar.

After the spike in new infections, investors fear the return of curbs on social and business activities in the developed world. This could derail a recent improvement in economic readings. EMEA currencies failed to capitalize on momentary weakness in the dollar, with Russia's rouble leading losses in the region because of sustained weakness in oil prices.

"Quite apart from the mini-move this morning the dollar has been able to appreciate again overall in the latest phase dominated by the fear of a second corona wave," Ulrich Leuchtmann, Head of FX and Commodity Research at Commerzbank wrote in a note. Hungary's forint fell about 0.3% to the dollar, underperforming other Central European currencies after the country's central bank flagged a possible interest rate cut in July. For GRAPHIC on emerging market FX performance in 2020, see http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh For GRAPHIC on MSCI emerging index performance in 2020, see https://tmsnrt.rs/2OusNdX

For TOP NEWS across emerging markets For CENTRAL EUROPE market report, see

For TURKISH market report, see For RUSSIAN market report, see

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