Global stocks gain on hopes of central bank stimulus

Global stock markets gained on Monday as investors pinned their hopes on stimulus that’s expected from the world’s central banks to support slowing growth.

European markets opened higher after data showed a surprise rise in German exports and on expectations of stimulus by the European Central Bank later this week. The pan-European STOXX 600 index was up 0.1% by 0747 GMT.

MSCI’s all country world index which tracks shares across 47 countries, was up 0.05%.

Germany’s trade-sensitive DAX index rose 0.2% after data showed that seasonally adjusted exports rose 0.7% in July. A Reuters poll of economists had pointed to a drop of 0.5%.

The data were a positive surprise in largely gloomy readouts from major economies since Friday, which heightened expectations of stimulus from central banks.

On Friday, U.S. jobs growth slowed more than expected in August, while data over the weekend from China showed the country’s exports unexpectedly shrank as shipments to the U.S. slowed.

The two countries have been locked in a trade dispute since early 2018, and investors fear escalating tariffs between them — already curtailing growth — might tip the global economy into recession as early as next year.

“If all the currently proposed tariffs are implemented, we foresee that growth in the first half of next year will slow toward the brink of a recession,” said Mark Haefele, chief investment officer at UBS Global Wealth Management.

But the prospect of central-bank support kept risk sentiment alive and well. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS rose 0.2% and E-mini futures for the S&P 500 index ESc1 up 0.15%.

On Friday, China’s central bank cut reserve requirements for a seventh time since early 2018 to free funds for lending. Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell said the Fed would continue to “act as appropriate” to sustain U.S. economic expansion. The European Central Bank is expected to cut rates this week.