Renewed tensions between the United States and Russia have resurfaced following an incident involving an oil tanker, sparking market concerns about potential disruptions to global energy supplies. Washington's move, associated with tightening oversight and enforcement of sanctions on Russian oil shipments, is viewed by Moscow as provocative and could worsen relations between the two countries. Russia views these actions as an attempt by the United States to suppress Russian energy exports and strengthen its dominance in the global oil market. Meanwhile, Washington argues that these measures...
The Hang Seng Index closed almost flat at 20,096 on Friday (12/27) after rising in the previous two sessions, with gains in the technology, property and consumer discretionary sectors offsetting losses in the financial sector. Traders digested a report that the World Bank raised its forecast for China's economic growth to 4.9% in 2024 and 4.5% in 2025 but warned of challenges such as weak demand, weak consumer sentiment and high local government debt. Meanwhile, the latest data showed that China's industrial profits fell 4.7% year-on-year in the first 11 months of this year, sharply higher...
European stocks traded lower on Friday as markets resumed trading after the Christmas holiday. The Stoxx 50 and Stoxx 600 each fell 0.1%, with most sectors and major bourses in negative territory. This followed a shortened session at the start of the week due to Christmas Eve, with many traders still away for the holiday season. As 2024 winds down, attention turns to the final trading days, New Year's Day on Tuesday, and the outlook for monetary policy from the European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve. Market watchers are also watching for potential tariff changes under U.S....
The Nikkei 225 jumped 1.8% to close at 40,281 on Friday, marking a second straight day of gains and hitting its highest since mid-October, with most sectors contributing to the rally. The broader Topix index rose 1.3% to close at 2,802, as a weaker yen boosted exporters and fueled broad gains. Meanwhile, BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda reiterated the need to monitor economic risks but refrained from providing clear guidance on future interest rate hikes. On the data front, Japan's retail sales grew the most in three months in November, while industrial output fell less than expected. However, a...
The Hang Seng Index rose for a third day, rising 0.2%, or 49.15, to 20,147.44 in Hong Kong. Xiaomi Corp. was the biggest contributor to the index's gain, rising 5.3%. Lenovo Group Ltd. was the biggest gainer, rising 7.8%. In midday trading, 37 of 83 stocks rose, while 41 fell; two of four sectors rose, led by trade and industrial stocks. Source: Bloomberg
Japanese shares rose, led by gains in autos and electronics shares, as a weaker yen boosted earnings growth hopes. Toyota Motor rose 1.0% and Renesas Electronics gained 2.0%. USD/JPY was at 157.85, compared with 157.36 at the close of trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Thursday. Investors were watching for any comments on the yen's recent depreciation from Japanese government officials. The Nikkei Stock Average was up 0.5% at 39,753.32. Source: Bloomberg
Asian stock markets fell in unison on Thursday, following Wall Street's decline. A brief rally in tech stocks led by Nvidia quickly faded, prompting investors to turn away from riskier assets like...
European stock indices closed marginally lower on Wednesday as equities took a breather from their recent strong momentum, while investors continued to assess the outlook for the ECB's policy this...
The upcoming Supreme Court ruling on the legality of President Donald Trump's massive tariffs, which rocked markets in April, is one of the next major tests for US stocks and bonds.
Equity markets...