GLOBAL stocks mostly advanced yesterday ahead of key US inflation data and after a drop in China’s producer prices pointed to more weakness in the world’s second biggest economy.

After a choppy session, Wall Street indices scored modest gains, following on the heels of an advance in Europe, where equities were boosted by a drop in bond yields.

“There is a bit of indecision,” said Angelo Kourkafas of Edward Jones, describing a “waiting game” for tomorrow’s US Consumer Price Index data, a key input for Federal Reserve policy.

Kourkafas said Wall Street was still in a “digestion” phase following the strong first half of this year, but noted that stocks could be poised for further gains if US economic data remains good.

Chinese consumer inflation flattened last month and producer prices sank, indicating the Asian giant’s economy continues to struggle.

Stock traders were looking at the inflation data as increasing pressure on Beijing to step up measures to support its economy.

“Those inflation reports, and worries about deflation, have fuelled speculation that China will soon announce additional policy stimulus measures,” said Patrick O’Hare at Briefing.com.

The anaemic inflation data countered optimism over tech-sector developments in China.

After a years-long probe, Ant Group has been hit with a near US$1 billion (RM4.66 billion) penalty for “illegal acts,” while Tenpay was ordered to pay more than US$400 million.

Analysts said while the figures were big, traders were cheered by the prospect that the firms could again concentrate on their businesses.

In a statement, the China Securities Regulatory Commission said “at present, most of the outstanding problems in the financial business of platform enterprises have been rectified.”

The news, announced Friday, sent the New York-listed shares of Alibaba and Tencent surging, and their Hong Kong stocks followed suit Monday.

“The market likes it because scrutiny looks likely to be over and the fine, though big in absolute terms, is very manageable for such a big company,” said Vey-Sern Ling at Union Bancaire Privee, referring to Ant.

The surge in market heavyweight tech firms lifted the Hang Seng Index more than 2% at the open yesterday before closing up 0.62%, and there were also gains in Shanghai, but Tokyo closed lower.

Besides the consumer price data, this week’s US calendar includes reports from JPMorgan Chase and other large banks, as well as from Delta Air Lines and PepsiCo.

Key figures around 9pm:

New York - Dow: UP 0.6% at 33,944.40 (close)

New York - S&P 500: UP 0.2% at 4,409.53 (close)

New York - Nasdaq: UP 0.2% at 13,685.48 (close)

London - FTSE 100: UP 0.2% at 7,273.79 (close)

Frankfurt - DAX: UP 0.5% at 15,673.16 (close)

Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.5% at 7,143.69 (close)

EURO STOXX 50: UP 0.5% at 4,256.51 (close)

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.6% at 32,189.73 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.6% at 18,479.72 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.2% at 3,203.70 (close)

Euro/dollar: UP at US$1.1006 from US$1.0967 on Friday

Pound/dollar: UP at US$1.2859 from US$1.2839

Dollar/yen: DOWN at ¥141.33 from ¥142.21

Euro/pound: UP at 85.53 pence from 85.42 pence

West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 1.2% at US$72.79 per barrel 

Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 1.0% US$77.69 per barrel. – AFP, July 11, 2023.