World Stock Markets Weaker; U.S. Inflation Data, BOE Meeting In Focus

(Kitco News) - Global stock markets were mostly weaker overnight. Some weak economic data coming out of China dented investor risk appetite. Industrial production, fixed-asset investment and retail sales were all lower than expected in August. U.S. stock indexes are pointed toward slightly lower openings when the New York day session begins.

Gold prices are near steady in pre-U.S. day-session trading.

The marketplace is awaiting the conclusion of the Bank of England's regular monetary policy meeting Thursday. The BOE is not expected to make any changes in its monetary policy.

The key U.S. economic data point of the week is Thursday's consumer price index report for August. That report is expected to show a rise of 0.4%. Notions are growing that low inflation in the U.S. and the Euro zone will keep the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank from tightening their monetary policies as soon as they would like.

The key outside markets on Thursday morning see the U.S. dollar index lower.

Meantime, Nymex crude oil futures are higher this morning.

Other U.S. economic data due for release Thursday includes the weekly jobless claims report and real earnings.

By Jim Wyckoff, contributing to Kitco News; [email protected]
Follow Jim Wyckoff @jimwyckoff for breaking news.