If it just seems like the first Friday of the month wasn't the same without being able to pore through the Bureau of Labor Statistics' hotly watched monthly jobs report, don't worry. You probably didn't miss much. While the BLS has gone dark with the shutdown in Washington, other reports outside the government data suggest the labor market just plodded along in September. The Dow Jones consensus forecast was for growth of 51,000 in nonfarm payrolls with the unemployment rate holding steady at 4.3%. High-frequency data that includes job postings, private payrolls and state-by-state figures...
The Hang Seng rose 129 points or 0.5% to close at 25,667 on Thursday, extending strength for the fifth session while holding at its highest level since early November 2021. Gains were almost broad-based, led by financial and property stocks, as global equities continued their upward momentum. Optimism mounted that the U.S. may pursue additional trade deals after securing several pacts earlier this week, including with Japan. In China, stocks rose ahead of next week's third round of trade talks with the U.S. in Stockholm, aimed at extending a tariff truce. However, bullish momentum was...
Hong Kong stocks maintained their momentum on Thursday, lifted by optimism over US-EU tariff negotiations and a revival in global trade diplomacy. The Hang Seng Index rose 129.11 points, or 0.5%, to close at 25,667.18, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI) added 16.42 points, or 0.2%, to 9,257.62. Investor sentiment improved after reports that the US and European Union are moving closer to a trade agreement that would impose a broad 15% tariff on EU imports, replacing the steeper 30% duty set to take effect on August 1. The deal, which may include automobiles, would mirror a...
Japan's Topix hits record high as Asia-Pacific stocks climb on trade deal optimism Japan's Topix closes at a record high as region ends trading day largely in the green Asia markets ended the day largely in the green. Japan's Topix jumped 1.75% to close at a record high of 2,977.55. The country's benchmark Nikkei 225 added 1.59% to end the trading day at 41,826.34. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.21% to 3,190.45, though the small-cap Kosdaq slipped 0.45% to close at 809.89. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.32% to close at 8,709.4. Mainland China's CSI 300 rose 0.71% to 4,149.04. Source:...
European stock markets traded higher on Thursday, with the STOXX 50 climbing nearly 1% and the broader STOXX 600 advancing 0.6%, buoyed by growing trade optimism after reports that the EU and US are nearing a deal to impose 15% tariffs on select European imports while waiving duties on others. Investors are also closely watching the European Central Bank's policy announcement later today, with interest rates widely expected to remain unchanged following a series of cuts, as policymakers navigate ongoing trade uncertainty. On the corporate front, Deutsche Bank shares jumped 6% after the...
Following a four-day winning streak, Hong Kong's stock market saw a slight correction on Thursday morning (24th July). The Hang Seng Index opened 9 points lower, down 0.04%, at 25,528 points. Meanwhile, the China Enterprises Index fell by 15 points, or 0.17%, to 9,225 points, and the Hang Seng Tech Index dropped 14 points, or 0.26%, to 5,730 points. Financial stocks showed mixed performances. AIA Group rose 0.21%, while Ping An Insurance and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing remained unchanged. HSBC Holdings climbed 0.8%, trading at HK$100.8. Among major tech stocks, Meituan fell 0.15%,...
Asia-Pacific markets traded higher, tracking Wall Street gains overnight.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 0.41% after hitting a fresh record high on Thursday, while the Topix added 0.61%. South...
Both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 hovered around the flatline on Friday, as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of further developments in trade talks between US President Trump and Chinese...
The U.S. government shut down much of its operations on Wednesday as deep partisan divisions prevented Congress and the White House from reaching a funding deal, setting off what could be a long,...