Ibex 35 Opens Higher as US and Asian Data Shape Trading
The Ibex 35 began the session with a gain near 0.5 percent, helping the index hold above the 9,300 level and reach around 9,349 points after fresh macroeconomic releases. Traders absorbed new data as they positioned for the day ahead in European markets.
Earlier in the day, Spain faced an update on its economy. Japan reported a 1.2 percent expansion in gross domestic product in the second quarter, a pace that misses the initial forecasts and translates to an annual growth near 4.8 percent. The result marks a softer quarterly pace than some expectations and fits into a broader narrative of uneven growth across major economies.
Meanwhile, in Europe, Germany released consumer price figures for August, showing an annual rise of 6.1 percent, just a tenth lower than July and the smallest increase since the previous May. The reading adds nuance to inflation trends across the euro area and informs expectations for European Central Bank policy.
In Spain, the General Industrial Production index declined by 1.8 percent year on year for July, a softer drop than June but the largest decline since April. The data highlight ongoing manufacturing weaknesses and the uneven economic momentum within the euro zone’s fourth-largest economy.
At the opening of this Friday’s session, specific equities stood out as leaders. Solaria rose about 1.5 percent, Colonial gained 1 percent, Indra advanced roughly 0.9 percent, and Banco Sabadell climbed about 0.88 percent, all contributing to positive momentum for the Ibex 35.
On the downside, some issues lagged behind the broader index. Logista slipped around 0.36 percent, Repsol fell about 0.24 percent, Mapfre eased by 0.15 percent, and IAG declined by roughly 0.06 percent. The morning balance showed a bifurcated pattern where several components contributed to gains while others dampened the overall performance.
Broader European equities followed a modestly positive trajectory at the start of the session. Milan rose 0.46 percent, Paris moved up 0.41 percent, Frankfurt gained 0.36 percent, and London edged higher by 0.27 percent, signaling a regional mood of cautious optimism amid mixed domestic data.
Commodities and the currency markets also framed early moves. Brent crude traded at the opening price levels with a slight retreat, while the broad dollar index softened modestly against a basket of currencies. The energy complex and the dollar’s direction served as a backdrop for cross-border trading dynamics in Europe.
In the foreign exchange arena, the euro strengthened modestly against the dollar, touching an exchange rate around 1.0714. In sovereign debt markets, Spain saw the yield on its 10-year government bond edge higher to about 3.60 percent, reflecting continued caution from investors as they weigh inflation and growth risks within the region.
Market participants continued to digest the day’s macro surprises and position for potential policy signals from central banks. The evolving mix of inflation readings, growth data, and currency dynamics shapes near-term trading strategies across equities, fixed income, and commodities. The session’s early moves suggest a market leaning toward selective risk-taking, with important caveats tied to global macro risk factors and policy guidance. [Source: Market reports, cited for context and attribution]