Gold prices fell on Tuesday (December 16th), as investors became more cautious ahead of crucial US jobs and inflation data, which could provide clues to Federal Reserve policy heading into the new year. Spot gold prices fell 0.3% to $4,290.33 an ounce, as of 06:37 GMT. Bullion has gained 64% since the start of the year, breaking several records along the way. US gold futures fell 0.4% to $4,316.40. "We're right near the previous high around $4,380 from mid-October. So the market is essentially asking whether there's enough conviction to break higher, or whether this is the level where...
European markets are set to open lower on Wednesday, as investors react to historic policy reforms in Germany and developments in the ceasefire in Ukraine, and await a key monetary policy update. London's FTSE 100 is expected to be little changed at the open, according to IG, while France's CAC 40 is forecast to drop 0.2% and Germany's DAX is scheduled to open about 0.5% lower. That comes after German lawmakers voted on Tuesday to reform the country's so-called debt restraint rules, which would allow for greater national spending on defense and authorize the creation of a 500 billion euro...
The Nikkei 225 index fell 0.25% to close at 37,752 on Wednesday, reversing earlier gains after the Bank of Japan kept interest rates unchanged, citing uncertainty over the potential impact of U.S. tariffs on Japan's export-driven economy. While the central bank reiterated expectations for above-potential economic growth, it also acknowledged signs of weakness. The monthly Reuters Tankan survey showed sentiment among Japanese manufacturers turned negative in March due to concerns over U.S. trade policy and slowing economic activity in China. Meanwhile, Japan's trade balance swung to a surplus...
Hong Kong equities rose 30 points or 0.1% to 24,768 in early trading on Wednesday, trying to extend gains for the fourth session, driven mainly by financial stocks. The market held at its highest level in three years as U.S. futures inched higher following a weak Wall Street session, with investors cautiously awaiting the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision. In China, the PBoC is anticipated to keep its key lending rates at record lows during Thursday's monthly review. Meanwhile, Beijing's broad initiative to spur consumption and reduce the effects of rising tariffs continued to...
The Nikkei 225 gained 0.6% to surpass 38,000, while the broader Topix Index rose 0.8% to 2,805 on Wednesday, extending recent gains as investors awaited the Bank of Japan's latest monetary policy decision. The central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates steady at 0.5% amid ongoing global economic and trade uncertainties. The monthly Reuters Tankan survey revealed that sentiment among Japanese manufacturers turned negative in March due to concerns over US tariff policies and economic weakness in China. Meanwhile, data showed that Japan's trade balance swung to a surplus in...
Stocks pulled back Tuesday as a sell-off that has engulfed Wall Street in recent weeks resumed after two straight winning sessions. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 260 points, or 0.6%. The S&P 500 shed 1%, nearing correction territory. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.7%. Tesla, one of the stocks hardest hit during the market's recent correction, was down yet again on Tuesday. The stock fell more than 5% after RBC Capital Markets lowered its price target on the electric vehicle name, citing rising competition in the EV space. It's declined more than 36% over the past month. The...
Stocks pulled back Tuesday as a sell-off that has engulfed Wall Street in recent weeks resumed after two straight winning sessions. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 416 points, or 1%. The S&P 500 shed 1.3%, nearing correction territory; it traded 8.8% below its record. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.8%.Tesla, one of the stocks hardest hit during the market's recent correction, was down yet again on Tuesday. The stock fell almost 5% after RBC Capital Markets lowered its price target on the electric vehicle name, citing rising competition in the EV space. It's declined about 36% over...
The Hang Seng surged 595 points or 2.5% to end at a 3-year high of 24,740 on Tuesday, keeping solid gains for the second day amid broad-based sector advances. The tech index led the rally, jumping 4% and tracking a rise at the Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index Monday, ahead of tech earnings. BYD Co. hit a record after unveiling new fast-charging that rivals traditional refueling times. Baidu soared 12.2% after launching new AI models, while Alibaba and Tencent each climbed 5.5% and 3.0%. Consumers and financials also saw strong gains, buoyed by strong spending in China during early 2025, and...
The Nikkei 225 Index jumped 1.2% to close at 37,845 while the broader Topix Index climbed 1.29% to 2,784 on Tuesday, extending recent gains and tracking Wall Street higher as US retail sales data eased recession concerns. Japanese stocks also benefited from a weaker yen, which enhances the profit outlook for the country's export-driven industries and makes local assets more attractive to foreign investors. Japanese trading firms led the charge after Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway raised its holdings, including Mitsubishi Corp (3.8%) and Mitsui & Co (3.3%). Stronger performances...
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....