Global News Overview

Week ended 4 May 2012

Key Economic News

US: The release of some relatively disappointing US economic data led major North American equity market indices lower for the week. While the US unemployment rate dipped 0.1% to 8.1% in April, the growth in non-farm payrolls did not meet expectations.

Europe: European equities fell in tandem with global stockmarkets last week. Downbeat US jobs data and renewed political uncertainty ahead of various elections in the Continent weighed on investor sentiment.

Asia Pacific: Asian shares ended mixed on the back of disappointing employment data from Europe and the US, which revived concerns about the global economic outlook.

Emerging Markets: Emerging market equities closed mixed last week as lacklustre employment data from Europe and the US revived concerns about the global economic outlook, while oil prices also fell sharply.