Oil prices rose more than 1% on Monday after OPEC+ only raised November production by 137,000 bpd, a smaller increase than would have affected the market. At 08:08 GMT, Brent rose 1.2% to $65.33 per barrel, while WTI rose 1.3% to $61.64. These limited increases are short-term supply increases. Analysts believe the market was previously anticipating a larger increase. Janiv Shah (Rystad) said that an increase of 137,000 bpd still risks "bloating" the surplus in the fourth quarter of 2025 and into 2026. Behind the scenes, Russia is pushing for a 137,000 bpd increase, while Saudi Arabia was...
Asia-Pacific markets traded lower as investors weigh recent trade developments. Asia markets started the trading day lower. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 0.24%, while the Topix lost 0.55%. South Korea's Kospi was flat and the small-cap Kosdaq slipped 0.48%. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.41%. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 was set to start the trading day lower, with the futures contract in Chicago at 41,740 and its counterpart in Osaka at 41,640, against the index's last close at 41,826.34. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 25,505, pointing to a weaker open...
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 closed at new record highs on Thursday (July 24), up 0.1% and 0.2%, respectively. This was supported by Alphabet's strong earnings, which bolstered investor confidence in AI investments. Alphabet shares rose 1% after the company beat second-quarter expectations and raised its 2025 capital spending forecast by $10 billion, lifting shares of other tech giants like Microsoft, Nvidia, and Amazon. Tesla fell 7.9% after CEO Elon Musk warned of challenging quarters ahead. The Dow Jones Industrial Average weakened, dropping 270 points, pressured by an 8% drop in IBM...
European stocks closed higher on Thursday (July 24th) as markets assessed the outlook for trade and monetary policy in the European Union. The STOXX 50 rose 0.3% to 5,359, and the STOXX 600 gained 0.3% to 552. The ECB maintained its benchmark interest rate and noted that disinflation had developed in line with previous estimates. The central bank also noted that further insights into economic developments would be needed before further clarity could be provided on the policy outlook, including a potential trade deal with the US and how the strong euro would move in the coming months....
US stocks were mixed on Thursday as markets assessed developments to domestic trade policy against major tech earnings. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 edged slightly higher, just enough to retest record highs, while the Dow fell over 300 points. Alphabet jumped 4% after the tech giant posted better than expected earnings for the June quarter and said it would increase AI-spending by $10 billion this year. On the other hand, Tesla slumped 7% after missing earnings and revenues estimates, while CEO Musk warned of "rough quarters" ahead due to lower sales in Europe, tariffs, and the end...
The Hang Seng rose 129 points or 0.5% to close at 25,667 on Thursday, extending strength for the fifth session while holding at its highest level since early November 2021. Gains were almost broad-based, led by financial and property stocks, as global equities continued their upward momentum. Optimism mounted that the U.S. may pursue additional trade deals after securing several pacts earlier this week, including with Japan. In China, stocks rose ahead of next week's third round of trade talks with the U.S. in Stockholm, aimed at extending a tariff truce. However, bullish momentum was...
Hong Kong stocks maintained their momentum on Thursday, lifted by optimism over US-EU tariff negotiations and a revival in global trade diplomacy. The Hang Seng Index rose 129.11 points, or 0.5%, to close at 25,667.18, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI) added 16.42 points, or 0.2%, to 9,257.62. Investor sentiment improved after reports that the US and European Union are moving closer to a trade agreement that would impose a broad 15% tariff on EU imports, replacing the steeper 30% duty set to take effect on August 1. The deal, which may include automobiles, would mirror a...
Japan's Topix hits record high as Asia-Pacific stocks climb on trade deal optimism Japan's Topix closes at a record high as region ends trading day largely in the green Asia markets ended the day largely in the green. Japan's Topix jumped 1.75% to close at a record high of 2,977.55. The country's benchmark Nikkei 225 added 1.59% to end the trading day at 41,826.34. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.21% to 3,190.45, though the small-cap Kosdaq slipped 0.45% to close at 809.89. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.32% to close at 8,709.4. Mainland China's CSI 300 rose 0.71% to 4,149.04. Source:...
European stock markets traded higher on Thursday, with the STOXX 50 climbing nearly 1% and the broader STOXX 600 advancing 0.6%, buoyed by growing trade optimism after reports that the EU and US are nearing a deal to impose 15% tariffs on select European imports while waiving duties on others. Investors are also closely watching the European Central Bank's policy announcement later today, with interest rates widely expected to remain unchanged following a series of cuts, as policymakers navigate ongoing trade uncertainty. On the corporate front, Deutsche Bank shares jumped 6% after the...
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....