AFP, New York :
World stocks mostly ticked up Friday as global investors continued to digest the US Federal Reserve’s lowered path for future interest rate increases.
US stocks rose for a third straight day, with the S&P 500 entering positive territory for the year following a 0.4 percent gain to 2,049.58.
European stocks were also stronger, with Paris gaining 0.4 percent and Frankfurt 0.6 percent. Both markets had lost ground on Thursday, with a spiking euro hitting shares of European exporters.
But the euro reversed course Friday following remarks by European Central Bank economist Peter Praet, who told Italian newspaper La Republicca that the Frankfurt-based central bank could cut interest rates further.
“If new negative shocks should worsen the outlook, or if financing conditions should not adjust in the direction and to the extent that is necessary to boost the economy and inflation, a rate reduction remains in our armoury,” Praet said.
Analysts said the remarks reflected increased alarm as the single currency has surged in the wake of the Fed meeting.
World stocks mostly ticked up Friday as global investors continued to digest the US Federal Reserve’s lowered path for future interest rate increases.
US stocks rose for a third straight day, with the S&P 500 entering positive territory for the year following a 0.4 percent gain to 2,049.58.
European stocks were also stronger, with Paris gaining 0.4 percent and Frankfurt 0.6 percent. Both markets had lost ground on Thursday, with a spiking euro hitting shares of European exporters.
But the euro reversed course Friday following remarks by European Central Bank economist Peter Praet, who told Italian newspaper La Republicca that the Frankfurt-based central bank could cut interest rates further.
“If new negative shocks should worsen the outlook, or if financing conditions should not adjust in the direction and to the extent that is necessary to boost the economy and inflation, a rate reduction remains in our armoury,” Praet said.
Analysts said the remarks reflected increased alarm as the single currency has surged in the wake of the Fed meeting.
