Analyze the impact of current affairs on the economic performance of the US and Europe

Today's international markets, like US or Europe trends, are influenced by various factors such as geopolitics, inflation, consumer demand, and Covid-19. Here are some of the key developments and insights from the global stock market data and news, with some examples of how they affect different sectors and companies:

🔹 According to Moneycontrol.com, the US markets closed higher on Monday, October 16, 2023, as investors assessed the Middle East turmoil and awaited earnings reports from major companies. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.4%, the S&P 500 gained 0.6%, and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.9%. The European markets also ended higher, with the FTSE 100 up 0.8%, the DAX up 1.2%, and the CAC 40 up 1.1%. For example, Apple shares rose 1.5% after announcing a new iPhone model, while Volkswagen shares jumped 3.2% after reporting a strong recovery in sales.

🔹The Asian markets were mixed on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, as Japan reported a lower-than-expected inflation rate of 0.2% in September, while China posted a stronger-than-expected GDP growth of 4.9% in the third quarter. The Nikkei 225 fell 0.3%, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.4%, and the Hang Seng Index gained 0.7%. The Australian stocks also rebounded, with the ASX 200 up 0.9%, as Samsung rallied on strong earnings guidance. For example, Sony shares dropped 2.1% after lowering its profit forecast, while Alibaba shares surged 4.5% after launching a new cloud computing service.

🔹The commodities and currencies markets were volatile amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which escalated on Friday, October 13, 2023, when Hamas fired rockets at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The safe-haven gold surged over 3% to $1,917 per ounce on Friday, but slipped to $1,903 on Monday, as investors shifted to riskier assets. The oil prices also fluctuated, as Saudi Arabia pledged to maintain its output cuts, while Venezuela announced a deal to resume oil exports. The Brent crude fell from $82 per barrel on Thursday to $79 on Monday. The US dollar strengthened against the euro and the yen, as the US consumer prices rose more than expected in September, increasing the chances of a Fed tapering. For example, Chevron shares gained 2.3% after raising its dividend, while Airbus shares lost 1.7% after cutting its production target.

🔹 The market access trends in the US, Europe, and emerging markets are also changing, as governments and payers seek to control drug prices and ensure value for money. According to Informa, some of the challenges and opportunities for pharmaceutical companies include:

    🔹In the US, there is a growing demand for pricing controls and price transparency, as well as an increasing role of ICER (Institute for Clinical and Economic Review) in conducting value-based assessments of new drugs. For example, Pfizer faced criticism for its high price of its Covid-19 vaccine, while Merck received a positive review from ICER for its oral antiviral drug.

  🔹 In Europe, there is an expansion of scope of drug price controls and tighter limits, as well as a shift to outcomes-based contracts and real-world evidence. For example, Novartis agreed to a pay-for-performance deal with Italy for its gene therapy Zolgensma, while AstraZeneca partnered with IQVIA to generate real-world data for its oncology portfolio.

    🔹 In emerging markets, there is a rising middle class and a growing burden of chronic diseases, creating opportunities for innovative drugs and biosimilars. However, there are also barriers such as low affordability, limited access, and regulatory uncertainty. For example, Roche launched its biosimilar Rituxan in China at a lower price than the originator product, while Sanofi faced delays in getting approval for its dengue vaccine in India.

These are some of the highlights of today's international markets, like US or Europe trends. For more information and analysis, please visit the sources below.