The US dollar (USD) weakened on Friday (July 18th), retreating from a three-week high as momentum waned. However, the greenback remained supported by strong US economic data released this week, which has reduced the likelihood of an immediate interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, fell about 0.36%, approaching 98.30 in the European session on Friday. This decline came after the index hit a three-week high on Thursday, briefly approaching 99.00. This week's US data has reinforced the...
The Nikkei 225 index rose 0.59% to close at 38,537 while the broader Topix index gained 0.35% to 2,787 on Tuesday, extending gains from the previous session as investors reacted to the Bank of Japan's latest policy decision. As expected, the central bank kept its policy interest rate steady at 0.5% and signaled a more gradual approach to balance sheet reduction starting next year, reflecting a cautious approach toward withdrawing stimulus. BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda stressed that policymakers are closely monitoring economic conditions, especially amid changing global trade dynamics, and left...
Hong Kong shares fell 59 points, or 0.2%, to 24,008 on Tuesday, reversing gains from the previous session as most sectors fell. A sharp drop in U.S. stock futures weighed on sentiment after President Trump urged evacuations from Tehran, stoking fears of a wider conflict as tensions between Israel and Iran entered a fifth day. Caution also prevailed ahead of the Fed's two-day policy meeting that begins today, with a rate decision due on Wednesday. While the Fed is widely expected to keep rates unchanged for a fourth straight day, rising geopolitical risks and rising oil prices could cloud...
The Nikkei 225 rose 0.3% to above 38,400, while the broader Topix gained 0.1% to 2,780 on Tuesday, extending gains from the previous session as investors awaited the Bank of Japan's latest policy decision. The central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged as it monitors developments in U.S. trade policy and assesses the inflationary impact of rising oil prices. Japanese equities also benefited from a rebound on Wall Street, where investors largely shrugged off rising tensions in the Middle East. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump called for a full evacuation of...
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) found firmer footing on Monday, kicking off the new trading week on a high note and paring away most of the late-week losses that pushed indexes into the red last Friday. Israel launched strikes against Iranian targets under the auspices of denying Iran access to nuclear weapons. Israel is one of only four countries to not sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and is also not a party to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Despite Israel's strikes quickly spiraling out into barrages of missile launches between Iran and Israel that...
US stocks were higher on Monday, erasing most of the losses from the previous session as markets reconsidered fears that the conflict between Israel and Iran would trigger global economic shocks. The S&P 500 and the Dow were around 0.7% higher, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 added more than 1%. Hostilities between Tehran and Tel-Aviv persisted after exchange of strikes, but softer concerns that allies would join the conflict or that strikes would hamper global energy supply supported a rebound in risk sentiment. On the macroeconomic front, the FOMC is set to hold rates this week and...
The Hang Seng rose 168 points or 0.7% to close at 24,061 on Monday, reversing early losses and posting its first gain in three sessions. Property stocks led gains after Guangzhou plans to ease home-buying curbs and price controls. Consumers and financials also strengthened, as China's consumer spending surged in May, due to holiday-driven demand. A jump in U.S. futures also boosted sentiment, ahead of the Fed's interest rate decision Wednesday. While the central bank is widely expected to hold rates steady for the fourth straight meeting, mounting Middle East tensions and rising oil prices...
European stocks opened broadly higher, with the regional Stoxx 600 index up 0.15%, the U.K.'s FTSE 100 up 0.27%, and France's CAC 40 and Germany's DAX both up around 0.35%. Markets at least initially recovered from Friday's negative trading as Israel and Iran traded airstrikes, stoking fears of a prolonged and deadly conflict. European oil and gas stocks on the Stoxx 600 rose 1.1% amid a surge in crude prices. (alg) Source: CNBC
The Nikkei 225 index rose 1.26% to close at 38,311 while the broader Topix index gained 0.75% to 2,777 on Monday, reversing losses from the previous session as investors appeared to downplay rising geopolitical risks in the Middle East. Clashes between Israel and Iran continued over the weekend, with both sides targeting energy infrastructure and pushing up oil prices. Local equities also benefited from a weaker yen that boosted the profit outlook for Japan's export-heavy industries. Meanwhile, investors' focus shifted to the Bank of Japan's upcoming policy meeting. The central bank is...
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....