Gold prices rose on Friday (July 18th), but were on track for a weekly decline as concerns about the US Federal Reserve's independence eased and strong US data emerged, while platinum rose to a nearly 11-year high. Spot gold rose 0.3% to $3,349.49 an ounce, as of 08:34 GMT, after falling 1.1% in the previous session. Bullion has fallen 0.2% so far this week. US gold futures fell 0.3% to $3,354.70. The US dollar, open a new tab, fell 0.4% for the day, but was headed for a second straight weekly gain. A stronger dollar tends to make gold more expensive for buyers holding other...
The Hang Seng Index rose for the second day, climbing 0.7%, or 158.65 to 23,689.13 in Hong Kong. Today, commerce and industry stocks led the market higher, as 3 of 4 sectors gained; 58 of 85 shares rose, while 23 fell. Meituan contributed the most to the index gain, increasing 2.2%. Li Auto Inc. had the largest increase, rising 5.5%. Source: Bloomberg
The STOXX 50 fell 0.6% and the STOXX 600 fell 0.4% on Monday, reflecting a slight flight to safety as tensions in the Middle East escalated. Market sentiment was shaken after the US became more involved in the Israeli conflict, launching an attack on Iran over the weekend. Despite the heightened geopolitical risks, the market reaction was less severe than anticipated, with traders awaiting Iran's response and hoping the conflict could be resolved. The main concern remains the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which could significantly disrupt oil markets. Meanwhile, flash PMIs...
Japanese stocks fell after the close on Monday (6/23), as losses in the Paper & Pulp, Transportation and Communications sectors led shares lower. At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 was down 0.01%. The best performers on the Nikkei 225 were Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (TYO:4519), which rose 4.47% or 321.00 points to trade at 7,510.00 at the close. Meanwhile, Sapporo Holdings Ltd. (TYO:2501) rose 4.38% or 315.00 points to close at 7,500.00 and Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. (TYO:7832) gained 2.17% or 106.00 points to 5,000.00 in late trade. The worst performers on the session were...
Hong Kong shares fell 94 points, or 0.4%, to 23,431 in early trading on Monday, reversing gains from the previous session amid a sharp decline in U.S. stock futures as tensions in the Middle East escalated. The U.S. State Department issued a "global caution" warning after Tehran vowed retaliation in response to President Donald Trump's attack on an Iranian nuclear power site. Investors were also cautious as they digested China's FDI data, which showed a 13.2% year-on-year decline in the first five months of the year, despite a surge in high-tech investment. (alg) Source: Trading Economics
The Nikkei 225 fell 0.7% to below 38,200, while the broader Topix index dropped 0.8% to 2,750 on Monday, marking a third straight session of losses for Japanese equities. The selloff followed US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, a major escalation in the Middle East as the US joins Israel in its conflict with Iran. Markets are now on edge, awaiting Tehran's response amid concerns about wider regional instability and higher oil prices. On the domestic front, data showed that Japanese manufacturing activity returned to growth in June for the first time since May...
Asia-Pacific markets plunged on Monday after a US strike on three nuclear sites in Iran lifted oil prices and investors worried about an escalation in the Middle East conflict. Oil prices have surged in recent weeks amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Brent crude was trading at $78.66 a barrel, after jumping 2.14%, as of 9:43 a.m. Singapore time, while West Texas Intermediate crude was up 2.23% at $75.47. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 0.56%, while the broader Topix index dropped 0.49%. In South Korea, the Kospi index fell 1.05%, while the small-cap Kosdaq index dropped...
US stocks were higher on Friday after Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said that the FOMC could cut interest rates next week, while investors continued to assess geopolitical risks. The three main stock indices were firmly in the green, enough to erase losses from earlier in the week. Waller noted that he doesn't expect tariffs to have a significant inflationary effect and favored the evidence of disinflation for the argument against higher rates, supporting equities on all sectors. IN the meantime, President Trump stated that the decision to strike Iran would take up to two...
Hong Kong stocks ended the week in positive territory after three straight sessions of losses, as investors welcomed policy stability after both the People's Bank of China and the city's de facto central bank held key interest rates steady. The Hang Seng Index climbed 292.74 points, or 1.3%, to close Friday's session at 23,530.48, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index rose 116.13 points, or 1.4%, to 8,527.07. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority kept the base rate unchanged at 4.75%, mirroring the US Federal Reserve's decision to maintain its rate target at between 4.25% to 4.5%. As...
Gold (XAU/USD) is extending its decline on Wednesday for a second consecutive day as the US Dollar (USD) and US Treasury yields firm ahead of the release of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)...
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....