Trump tweet a bitter pill for pharma stocks

A tweet by US President Donald Trump promising lower drug prices for consumers proved to be a bitter pill for pharmaceutical stocks on Tuesday.

In a posting on Twitter shortly before the markets opened in New York, Trump said he was "working on a new system where there will be competition in the drug industry".

"Pricing for the American people will come way down!" he wrote.

While Wall Street's broad S&P 500 market index was off just 0.3 percent in late morning trading, shares in leading drugmakers were down considerably.

Shares in Mylan NV, whose EpiPen allergy shot was at the centre last year of public outrage over drug prices, fell 2.0 percent to $43.18. Stock in Botox-maker Allergan shed 1.6 percent to $238.42.

Pfizer shares gave up 1.0 percent to $34.02 and Merck 0.7 percent to $66.03.

"Donald Trump has ensured he remains the number one driver of volatility within the markets, with the president's latest tweet dragging pharmaceutical firms lower today," said market analyst Joshua Mahony at online trading firm IG.

"Trump's promise to control drugs prices highlights that the optimism felt in response to Hilary Clinton?s election loss was clearly misplaced, proving that the topic remains one rare bipartisan area of agreement," he added.

Shares in European pharmaceutical makers also suffered.

In London, Shire fell 2.3 percent to 49.03 pounds, AstraZeneca shed 1.0 percent to 21.15 pounds, and GSK 0.6 percent to 16.75 pounds.

- 'Wait-and-see mode' -

Overall, trading in European stock markets was calm Tuesday as investors waited on this week's interest rate call in the eurozone and crucial jobs data in the United States.

The European Central Bank (ECB) will unveil the outcome of its latest monetary policy gathering on Thursday, with no change expected in borrowing costs.

Traders will then zero in on this Friday's eagerly-anticipated US non-farm payrolls (NFP) data, a key indicator for the health of the world's biggest economy, ahead of next week's Federal Reserve interest rate meet.

Markets had been given a shot in the arm last week by hopes of a US spending spree under Trump, but are now looking for fresh signals.

"Wait-and-see mode for now. The ECB might deliver some fresh impetus on Thursday but think we'll be looking for the US to lead the way," said ETX Capital analyst Neil Wilson.

Further impetus came as Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen signalled last Friday that an interest rate increase could be on the way this month -- if US employment and inflation remain in line with expectations.

Analysts interpreted that as a clear sign that the central bank will raise the benchmark lending rate at the March 14-15 policy meeting.

In foreign exchange activity, the European single currency has been on the back foot since Friday, also dented by uncertainty over the French presidential elections.

Most Asian markets rose Tuesday in cautious deals over Trump as well as geopolitical risks.

While Trump's speech to Congress last week fired optimism that he would press on with a big-spending, tax-cutting programme, he has yet to flesh out his plans.

On the downside, Tokyo stocks shed 0.2 percent, extending Monday's losses that came after North Korea's quadruple missile launch, three of which landed in Japanese-controlled waters, stoking regional security fears.

- Key figures around 1630 GMT -

London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.2 percent at 7,338.99 points (close)

Frankfurt - DAX 30: UP 0.06 percent at 11,966.14 (close)

Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.4 percent at 4,955.00 close

EURO STOXX 50: DOWN 0.2 percent at 3,380.47

New York - Dow: DOWN 0.2 percent at 20,916.41

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.2 percent at 19,344.15 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng: UP 0.4 percent at 23,681.07 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.3 percent at 3,242.41 (close)

Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0578 from $1.0582

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2202 from $1.2240

Dollar/yen: UP at 114.02 yen from 113.89 yen

Oil - Brent North Sea: UP 1 cent at $56.02 per barrel

Oil - West Texas Intermediate: UP 19 cents at $53.39

burs-rl/hmw