The EUYR/USD finished Friday's session with gains of over 0.26% amid a weaker US Dollar, following dovish comments by Fed Governor Christopher Waller, which weighed on US Treasury yields. Still, an improvement in Consumer Sentiment capped the Euro's gains, with the pair trading at 1.1626 at the time of writing. Wall Street ended the session on a higher note, as investors cheered comments by Waller, who favors a rate cut in July. Despite this, recent comments by Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee showed that he has moderated his dovish stance, stating that he's wary due to the latest CPI...
US stocks hovered around the flatline on Friday (05/16), with volatility expected during the session as a large number of options expire. Despite the choppy trading, the three major indexes remained on track to post solid weekly gains. Market sentiment improved amid signs of easing trade tensions, as the U.S. and China agreed to temporarily ease tariffs. At the same time, a series of mostly weak economic data has reinforced expectations that the Fed has room to cut interest rates at least twice this year. Housing starts and building permits both came in below estimates, while export and...
The Hang Seng dropped 108 points or 0.5% to end at 23,345 on Friday, down for the second day amid broad-based losses across all sectors. Investors were unsure how policies would evolve when the 90-day trade war truce between Washington and Beijing ends in July. A climb in US futures failed to lift sentiment as traders were on edge ahead of China's key April data next week, including industrial output and retail sales. Meanwhile, the PBoC is set to review its benchmark lending rates, which have stayed at record lows in recent months as the economy faces domestic and external...
The STOXX 50 edged up 0.2% and the STOXX 600 gained 0.6% on Friday, with both indexes on track to close the week approximately 1.8% higher, potentially marking a fifth consecutive weekly advance. Investors continued to weigh the prospects of a de-escalation in the ongoing trade war while keeping a close eye on the Russia-Ukraine peace talks. On Friday, healthcare, telecommunications, and oil & gas sectors led the gains, while technology stocks lagged behind. Meanwhile, traders digested a fresh round of corporate earnings. Shares of Richemont surged around 4% after the luxury goods...
The Nikkei 225 ended almost flat at 37,754 while the broader Topix index edged up 0.05% to 2,741 on Friday, with Japanese shares struggling to gain traction as weak economic data weighed on sentiment. Investor caution prevailed after Japan's economy contracted 0.2% quarter-on-quarter in Q1, marking its first decline in a year and missing expectations for a 0.1% decline. The data reinforced concerns raised by the Bank of Japan earlier this week, which warned of a potential economic moderation due to U.S. trade policy pressures. The Japanese market also mirrored losses in U.S. technology...
Hong Kong stocks fell 214 points, or 0.9%, to 23,241 on Friday, posting a second straight session of losses amid declines across all sectors. Investors were cautious ahead of key Chinese April data due next week, including industrial production, retail sales and home prices. Meanwhile, the People's Bank of China is set to review its benchmark lending rate, which has remained at a record low in recent months to support the struggling economy. Alibaba Group Hlds. plunged 4.9% after reporting disappointing quarterly earnings. Other big losers included Kuaishou (-3.0%), Meituan (-2.7%),...
The Nikkei 225 index fell 0.4% to around 37,600 while the broader Topix index fell 0.1% to 2,736 on Friday, with Japanese shares falling for a third straight session, weighed down by weaker-than-expected economic data and weak guidance from Wall Street. Investor sentiment soured after Japan's GDP contracted 0.2% quarter-on-quarter in the first quarter, marking the country's first economic contraction in a year and below forecasts for a 0.1% decline. The data reinforced concerns raised earlier this week by the Bank of Japan, which warned of a potential economic moderation amid the impact of...
The S&P 500 climbed for a fourth session, adding to this week's rally after the U.S. and China agreed to temporarily slash tariff rates. Treasury yields also fell, providing a tailwind to stocks. The broad market index added 0.4%, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 271.69 points, or 0.7%. Confidence in the immediate outlook for stocks has strengthened in the wake of last weekend's talks between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese officials that appeared to stave off a short-term decline in economic activity and a ratcheting up in...
US stocks gained traction, benefiting from reprieve for Treasuries across the curve amid bets that the Federal Reserve will deliver multiple rate cuts this year. The S&P 500, the Nasdaq 100, and the Dow were all close to 0.5% higher. Fresh data showed that headline producer prices fell sharply in April to back the view of disinflation following the softer CPI print this week. Also, core sectors of retail sales unexpectedly contracted in the period, favoring bets that the Fed will adjust monetary policy to support the economy. Industrials, utilities, and pharmaceuticals led the gains. GE...
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....