Asian markets open the day lower as weighed down by disappointing earnings result in US. Those companies that released disappointing quarterly reports including Alphabet, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Visa and Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX). Nonetheless, weakness in Asian is relatively limited as Nikkei quickly pared loss and is trading down just -0.2% at the time of writing. DJIA had the first loss in four days and closed down -113.75 pts, or -0.63%, back below 18000 handle at 17982.52. WTI crude oil retreated mildly but is staying firm at around 43.8. In the currency markets, Sterling gained much ground towards the end of the week and overpowered commodity currencies. Yen remains the weakest one on risk appetite.
Yesterday, ECB left the main refi rate unchanged at 0%, the deposit at -0.4% and the asset purchase program at 80B euro/month. The central bank noted that it would begin buying corporate bonds in June. President Mario Draghi at the press conference suggested that interest rates would stay at present or lower levels for an extended period of time, even after QE has ended. He continued to warn that global economic outlook remains uncertainty and inflation might turn negative in coming months "before picking up in the second half of 2016". He pledged that the central bank would monitor the developments closely and act accordingly "if warranted". The central bank signals that the door has remained open for further easing. More in Draghi Affirms Positive Impacts of Stimuli, Defends Independence of ECB as He Faces Criticism.
Regarding the approaching Brexit referendum in UK, Draghi said that the threat to Eurozone's recovery is "limited". He noted that "certainly the discussion about this possibility has already produced some significant consequences on the markets." And, he expected "a continuation of market volatility, certainly until the referendum". He declined to "speculate on the outcome of the referendum". But, "the assessment of our staff is that the risk of this happening is limited."
Japan manufacturing PMI dropped to 48 in April versus expectation of 49.6. Eurozone PMIs will be the main focus in European session. Canada will release retail sales and CPI later today.