After five weeks of being closed, the Athens stock market opened on Monday, with a 23% fall attributed to uncertainty over the recent austerity measures and economic growth forecasts. China continues to be an issue, with the July Caixin Manufacturing PMI pointing to a contraction in output. The index fell to 47.8 which is below the 49.4 recorded in June. Shanghai was 1.11% lower in late trade on Monday.
In political news, 2016 Presidential hopeful Donald Trump has taken the Republican Primary lead, with the Wall Street Journal asserting that the billionaire holds 19% of the vote. According to the same poll, Governor Scott Walker and Jeb Bush command 15% and 14% respectively.
On the economic front, all eyes will be on Friday’s Non-Farm Payrolls, with the market pricing in 227,000 for July. Personal Income, Construction Spending, Auto Sales, Consumer Credit and the Unemployment Rate will also be released.
