The US dollar strengthened slightly and US Treasury bonds pared earlier gains after disappointing US jobs data proved insufficient to convince the market that the Fed would soon cut interest rates again. The dollar strengthened against G10 currencies, most notably against the yen, while the yield on the 10-year US Treasury note rose to around 4.17%. In commodity markets, the movement was much more violent. Oil prices rose about 1.3% after President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, sparking supply concerns from the OPEC member. At the same time,...
European stocks closed sharply lower on Wednesday, with Tuesday's market recovery proving short-lived as U.S. country-specific tariffs kicked in. The pan-European Stoxx 600 ended the session down 3.5% at its lowest close since January 2024, with all sectors and major bourses in negative territory. Regional health care and oil and gas indexes were among the biggest losers, dropping 5.9% and 5%, respectively. Europe's main indexes extended losses after China announced it would impose retaliatory tariffs of 84% on U.S. imports from April 10, up from 34%, and the European Union agreed to a...
The S&P 500 inched higher Wednesday, as traders looked for a market bottom after days of volatility, even as China and the European Union announced retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods in the latest escalation of global trade tensions. The S&P 500 added 0.7%, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.5%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average inched up 182 points, or 0.5%. China announced it will impose an 84% levy on U.S. goods starting Thursday. This comes after U.S. tariffs of 104% on Chinese imports took effect shortly after midnight. The EU also approved its first set of tariffs on the U.S....
The Hang Seng rose 137 points or 0.7% to close at 20,264 on Wednesday, snapping a two-day losing streak. The rebound came after early-session losses, driven by gains in tech, consumers, and property. Sentiment improved following Premier Li Qiang's remarks that Beijing is "fully capable of hedging against adverse external influences," including the newly imposed 104% U.S. import tariffs. A rally in mainland stocks also lifted the mood, as state-owned firms stepped in to support markets. Top Chinese brokerages pledged to stabilize share prices, and some listed companies launched stock buyback...
European stocks opened lower on Wednesday, with markets struggling to maintain the positive momentum of the previous session as the U.S.′ country-specific tariffs started taking effect. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was 2.55% lower shortly after the opening bell, with all sectors and major bourses firmly in negative territory. Regional banking, mining and oil and gas indexes led the losses, plummeting 3%, 3.9% and 3.6% respectively. Among Europe's major indexes, the French CAC 40 crashed 2.6%, while Germany's DAX was 2.1% lower during early morning trade, and the FTSE 100 lost...
Japanese stocks fell sharply Wednesday as US tariffs officially took effect, triggering broad market losses. The Nikkei 225 dropped 3.93% to 31,714, while the Topix Index declined 3.4% to 2,349, reversing gains from the previous session and mirroring overnight losses on Wall Street. The new measures include a 24% tariff on Japanese goods and a 25% levy on auto exports to the US. President Trump confirmed Japan will send a delegation to negotiate, while Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he urged Trump to reconsider the tariffs in a recent call. Financial and tech stocks led the selloff,...
The Hang Seng Index opened significantly lower this morning, down by 632 points or 3.14% settling at 19,494 points. Likewise, the National Index dropped by 232 points, or 3.13%, to stand at 7,198 points, while the Technology Index suffered a decline of 194 points, or 4.26%, now at 4,373 points. In the export sector this morning, Shenzhou International Group Holdings (2313) opened down 6.1%, while Intime Group (1382) remained flat at the opening. Crystal International Group (2232) saw a decrease of 5.6%. The shipping and port stocks also faced a downturn; China Merchants Port Holdings (0144)...
The Nikkei 225 Index plunged 3.6% toward 31,800 while the broader Topix Index tumbled 2.9% to 2,362 on Wednesday, giving back gains from the previous session and tracking losses on Wall Street overnight as US President Donald Trump's new tariffs are set to come into effect later today. That would include a 24% tariff on Japanese goods and a 25% levy on car imports to the US. Meanwhile, Trump said that Japan is sending a team to negotiate on trade with the US, while Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba revealed that he told Trump in a phone call to rethink his tariff policies. Financial and...
Asia-Pacific markets fell on Wednesday as investors brace themselves for U.S. President Donald Trump's country-specific tariffs that are set to come into effect midnight stateside. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slid 1.06%. Japan's Nikkei 225 lost 3.14%, while the Topix traded 3.26% lower. South Korea's Kospi edged 0.18% lower while the small-cap Kosdaq lost 0.44%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 3.86%, while the Hang Seng Tech Index declined 5.42%.Additional tariffs will take effect just after U.S. midnight, adding to the 10% baseline duty that was already implemented on Saturday. Chinese...
Gold rises in the early Asian trade. There's a broad commodities uptrend, driven by macro uncertainty, a weaker dollar, and persistent demand for "hard" assets, says Fawad Razaqzada, market analyst...
Oil extended declines after OPEC+ agreed to a bigger-than-expected production increase next month, raising concerns about oversupply just as US tariffs fan fears about the demand outlook.
Brent...
The Japanese Yen (JPY) weakened against its US counterpart and reversed part of Friday's recovery from the lowest level since July 23 following Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda's remarks....