World Shares Slip as China Says Economy Slowed Further

BANGKOK—World shares were mostly lower Tuesday after China reported its economy expanded at a 3 percent pace last year, less than half 2021′s rate.

European shares declined and Asian shares were mixed as investors watched to see if Japan’s central bank will alter its longstanding policy of keeping its key interest rate at minus 0.1 percent when it wraps up a policy meeting on Wednesday.

The Chinese economy is gradually recovering after last year’s real estate slump and antivirus controls. Although restrictions that kept millions of people in China have been lifted, a rise in COVID-19 infections has made it difficult for consumers to travel, shop, and dine out. Data reported Tuesday showed growth of the world’s second largest economy slid to 2.9 percent over a year earlier in December from the previous months 3.9 percent.

Germany’s DAX lost 0.1 percent to 15,121.32 and the CAC 40 in Paris was down 1 point at 7,042.75. Britain’s FTSE 100 edged 0.1 percent lower to 7,849.74. Future for the S&P 500 was 0.3% lower, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a 0.2 percent drop.

U.S. markets Monday, they were closed for a holiday. They closed last week with gains.

In Asian trading, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index gained 1.2 percent to 26,138.68 and the Sensex in Mumbai gained 1 percent, to 60,676.01.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index lost 0.8 percent to 21,577.64 and the Shanghai Composite index edged 0.1 percent lower to 3,224.24. Seoul’s Kospi fell 0.9 per cent to 2,379.39. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was barely changed, at 7,386.30.

Bangkok’s benchmark shed 0.1 percent.

It began with optimism about a cooling inflation that could prompt the Federal Reserve to reduce its abrupt interest rate hikes, which slow the economy and increase the risk of causing a recession. They also impact investment prices.

Companies are losing profits, which is one of the key levers that determine stock prices, due to slowing parts of the U.S. Economy and high inflation. Friday was the first big day of the S&P 500’s final three months in 2022. A host of banks topped the list.

Wall Street is concerned that S&P 500 companies could report a decrease in profits for the fourth-quarter compared to a year ago.

Sharper declines in profits could be expected for 2023 if the economy goes into recession as many investors anticipate. That’s why the forecasts for upcoming earnings that CEOs give this reporting season may be even more important than their latest results.

U.S. benchmark crude oil fell 53 cents to $79.33/barrel in other trading Tuesday on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It rose $1.47-$79.86 per barrel Monday.

Brent crude oil, the standard price for international trading, rose 20c to $84.66 per barrel in London.

The dollar traded at 128.74 Japanese dollars, up from 128.53yen. From $1.0822 to $1.0819, the euro dropped to $1.0819.