European stocks extend losses as slowdown warnings weigh

LONDON, Sept 16 (Reuters) – European stocks dipped on Friday and Europe’s benchmark German 10-year bond yield hit its highest since mid-June as investors braced for a U.S. rate hike while warnings from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund fanned fears of a slowdown.

The World Bank’s chief economist said on Thursday he was worried about a period of low growth and high inflation in the global economy. The International Monetary Fund said downside risks continue to dominate the global economic outlook but it is too early to say if there will be a widespread global recession. read more

Wall Street sold off on Thursday after U.S. economic data gave the Federal Reserve little reason to ease its aggressive rate-hike stance. read more

The downbeat tone continued during Asian trading, with data showing that China’s property sector had contracted further last month. read more

As of 0815 GMT, the MSCI world equity index, which tracks shares in 47 countries, was down 0.5% on the day and set for its fourth consecutive day of losses. (.MIWD00000PUS)

Europe’s STOXX 600 was down 1.2% (.STOXX) and London’s FTSE 100 (.FTSE) edged 0.1% lower. Germany’s DAX was down 1.8% (.GDAXI). read more

Markets priced in a 75% chance of a 75-basis-point rate hike and a 25% chance of 100 bps when the Fed meets next Wednesday.

In the UK, retail sales fell more than expected, in another sign that the economy is sliding into recession as the cost-of-living crisis squeezes households’ disposable spending. read more

“We’re now seeing data confirm that the economy is indeed slowing down,” said Axel Rudolph, market analyst at IG Group.

“I expect stocks to head back down to below their March lows. If you are in an environment where you have central banks that aggressively raise rates, historically this has always led to bear markets.”

The pound weakened to a 37-year low against the U.S. dollar . read more

The U.S. dollar index was up 0.3% at 110.13 , still hovering near a 20-year high, and steady against the yen at 143.365 .

The yen could hurtle towards three-decade lows before the year-end, according to market analysts and fund managers. read more

The dollar’s strength pushed China’s offshore yuan past the 7-per-dollar level for the first time in nearly two years. read more

The euro was a touch lower at $0.9961 . Germany’s two-year bond yields hit a fresh 11-year high after the European Central Bank vice president said an economic slowdown in the euro zone would not be enough to control inflation and the bank will have to keep raising interest rates. read more

Germany’s benchmark 10-year bond was up 3 basis points on the day at 1.765% – having touched its highest since mid-June in early trading .

Oil prices edged higher, but were on track for a weekly drop amid fears of a reduction in demand. read more

Reporting by Elizabeth Howcroft; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.