Public holidays lead to quiet day on markets

European stocks, bonds and the euro traded in a calmer fashion today after last week's turbulence, though another three per cent dive in Japan's Nikkei kept investors on edge.

Last week's shakeout of equity, bond and currency markets was triggered by concerns the US Federal Reserve could wind in its support sooner that had been expected, weak China data and doubts over how low Japan will allow the yen to go.

With UK and US markets both closed for public holidays, European equity and bond markets saw a quieter than usual start to the week.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares started up 0.3 per cent as last week’s falls tempted buyers, while demand for safe-haven 10-year German government bond futures eased.

The euro was little changed at $1.2940. “Markets are currently experiencing difficulty fully and precisely understanding both the pace of global growth and the implications of central banks’ activism,” Credit Agricole said in a note.

“Expectations cannot remain stable for long and so investors should be prepared for periods of higher volatility in particular asset classes,” they added. In commodity markets, Brent crude slipped towards $102 per barrel, extending last week’s 2 per cent drop, as a weak economic outlook in a well-supplied market pressured prices.

The broader market nerves also helped gold firm as it looked to build on last week’s best run in a month.