European Stocks Rebound, Asia Mixed After Weak China Data

Weak consumer demand has caused a drop in prices in China for the first time in more than two years, adding to worries about the economy AFP

European stock markets rebounded on Wednesday as bank shares recovered and after a mixed showing by Asia.

Data revealed China slipped into deflation, compounding worries about the world's second biggest economy after the United States.

Bank shares recovered one day after sliding when Italy imposed a windfall tax on lenders and owing to concerns over the health of the sector in the United States.

"Chinese economics dominates the headlines," noted Steve Clayton, head of equity funds at Hargreaves Lansdown.

"China is now witnessing the actual cost of goods both in stores and at the factory gate falling. It is indicative of a significant slowdown in the Chinese economy, which is beset by high levels of indebtedness."

The 0.3-percent drop in China's July consumer prices was the first since the start of 2021 and comes as slowing domestic spending weighs on the country's economic recovery.

Investors were already in a dour mood a day after China announced its biggest drop in exports since the beginning of the Covid pandemic more than three years ago, while imports also tanked owing to slimming demand at home.

An extended period of disappointing indicators out of Beijing this year has ramped up pressure on authorities to provide much-needed support to the economy.

However, while leaders have made a number of pledges in recent weeks to introduce stimulus -- particularly for the property sector -- there have been very few concrete moves save for some small interest rate cuts by the People's Bank of China.

Observers warned that the headline-grabbing bazooka officials have unleashed in the past is unlikely owing to the country's huge debt pile and concerns about an already weak yuan.

London - FTSE 100: UP 0.9 percent at 7,597.39 points

Frankfurt - DAX: UP 1.2 percent at 15,965.40

Paris - CAC 40: UP 1.4 percent at 7,368.28

EURO STOXX 50: UP 1.4 percent at 4,346.67

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.5 percent at 32,204.33 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.3 percent at 19,246.03 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.5 percent at 3,244.49 (close)

New York - Dow: DOWN 0.5 percent at 35,314.49 (close)

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0980 from $1.0957 on Tuesday

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2737 from $1.2745

Euro/pound: UP at 86.20 from 85.95 pence

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 143.26 yen from 143.40 yen