Africa’s finance sector eyes resilience amid global headwinds

Asian markets opened with mixed performance on Thursday, setting the tone ahead of the day’s trading in Europe and the United States, which have yet to begin. Investors are watching closely for economic data releases and central bank signals that could shape the sessions ahead.

Asian trading update
Japan’s Nikkei rose in early trading, supported by gains in technology and export-oriented stocks. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slipped, reflecting investor caution amid ongoing concerns about property sector weakness and slower growth in mainland China. Other regional indices, including South Korea’s Kospi and Australia’s ASX, showed modest movements, reflecting the uneven market sentiment across Asia.

Pre-market signals from the US
Futures contracts in the United States indicated a cautious but positive outlook ahead of Wall Street’s opening. The Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures all traded slightly higher, suggesting that investors are positioning for potential gains once official trading begins. Market participants remain focused on forthcoming US economic indicators, particularly inflation and labour market data, which are expected to guide expectations for Federal Reserve policy.

European markets on hold
European exchanges, including London’s FTSE 100, Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40, are yet to open. When they do, traders will likely respond to signals from Asia and US futures, as well as to local economic updates and comments from European Central Bank officials. Currency movements and commodity prices will also play a key role, particularly with Brent crude easing slightly in early Thursday trading.

What to watch today

• US data releases: Inflation and employment figures remain crucial for shaping global monetary policy expectations.
• European sentiment: Investors will weigh ECB policy signals and ongoing political developments across the eurozone.
• Commodities and currencies: Fluctuations in energy markets and the US dollar will continue to influence global equities.

Newshub Editorial, 18 September 2025