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...
Hong Kong shares jumped 450 points or 1.9% to 24,597 on Tuesday morning deals, marking the second session of strong gains as all sectors advanced. The Hang Seng Tech Index climbed 2.8%, with investors focusing on upcoming tech earnings, including Xiaomi Corp. later today. WuXi AppTec Co. surged near 9% to a 14-month top after announcing a cash dividend and share buyback plan. EV maker BYD Co. soared 2.5%, on plans to roll out new super-charging tech across China. Consumers, financials, and property also logged strong gains, buoyed by a "special action plan" from Beijing to spur domestic...
The Nikkei 225 Index rallied 1.3% to around 37,900 while the broader Topix Index jumped 1.2% to 2,780 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. Meanwhile, investors are focused on the upcoming Bank of Japan policy decision this week, with expectations that the central bank will hold interest rates steady at 0.5% when its meeting...
Asia-Pacific markets rose on Tuesday, tracking gains on Wall Street, which ticked up after U.S. retail sales data appeared to ease recession concerns. Investors will be keeping a close watch on Japanese markets, as the Bank of Japan kicks off its two-day monetary policy meeting on Tuesday. The central bank is widely expected to hold interest rates steady at 0.5% when the meeting concludes on Wednesday. The BOJ's two-day meeting coincides with the U.S. Federal Reserve, with the latter also expected to keep interest rates unchanged. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 started the day 1.34% higher,...
Stocks rose on Monday, building on their comeback from a four-week rout on Wall Street exacerbated by President Donald Trump's chaotic tariff policy rollout and falling consumer confidence. The S&P 500 gained 0.64% to close at 5,675.12, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.31% and ended at 17,808.66. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also advanced 353.44 points, or 0.85%, to end at 41,841.63. The 30-stock index was bolstered by gains in Walmart and International Business Machines.All three of the major averages posted back-to-back gains. "We're in a near-term counter-trend rally," Sam...
The S&P 500 rose on Monday as the benchmark tries to continue its comeback from correction territory following a four-week rout on Wall Street exacerbated by President Donald Trump's chaotic tariff policy rollout and falling consumer confidence. The broad market index gained 0.2%, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.3%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 237 points, or 0.6%, bolstered by gains in Walmart and International Business Machines Helping sentiment was the February retail sales report, as traders breathed a sigh of relief that the figures weren't worse. Retail sales...
European stocks started the new trading week in positive territory, although investors will be looking to see if global market volatility continues. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was 0.1% higher shortly after the opening bell, with most sectors moving higher. European markets ended the week higher Friday after German lawmakers reportedly came closer to agreeing on reforming the country's so-called debt brake rule. Media reports said Germany's likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz had won support from the Greens party to hike public borrowing to allow an increase in defense...
Japan stocks were higher after the close on Monday, as gains in the Power, Rubber and Chemical, Petroleum & Plastic sectors led shares higher. At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 rose 0.95%. The best performers of the session on the Nikkei 225 were Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (TYO:7011), which rose 12.17% or 311.00 points to trade at 2,867.00 at the close. Meanwhile, IHI Corp. (TYO:7013) added 9.70% or 1,045.00 points to end at 11,820.00 and Hitachi Construction Machinery Co (TYO:6305) was up 6.33% or 253.00 points to 4,250.00 in late trade. The worst performers of the...
Hong Kong equities jumped 375 points or 1.6% to 24,338 in Monday morning trading, extending gains for the second session. Optimism over China's newly announced "Special Action Plan to Boost Consumption," aimed at stimulating domestic demand, supported the rally. In addition, state media Xinhua said that Beijing also plans to stabilize the stock and real estate markets, boost the birth rate, and support inbound and domestic tourism. These comprehensive measures were unveiled on Sunday. On the economic data front, China's industrial output rose 5.9% yoy in the first two months of 2025,...
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....