Gold price advances during the North American session on Friday as the US Dollar weakens, with traders booking profits ahead of the weekend. Additionally, a Fed Governor's comments turned more dovish than expected, supporting a rate cut in July. At the time of writing, the XAU/USD trades at $3,353, up 0.43%. The market mood is upbeat after the University of Michigan (UoM) revealed that Americans have become optimistic about the economy and expect inflation to edge lower. Recently, Fed Governor Christopher Waller suggested that the central bank should cut interest rates at the upcoming...
The Nikkei 225 Index climbed 1% to above 36,000 while the broader Topix Index rallied 1.2% to 2,670 on Monday, extending last week's rally, with export-oriented companies leading the gains as the yen retreated from multi-month highs. A weaker yen boosts the profit outlook for Japan's export heavy industries and makes Japanese assets more attractive to foreign investors. Markets also kept a close eye on trade negotiations between the US and Japan, which appeared to be making progress. Industrial names posted strong gains, with Mitsubishi Heavy rising 3%, Toyota Industries up 2.3%, and...
Asia-Pacific markets rose higher Monday as investors await further stimulus measures from China as well as developments in trade negotiations between the U.S. and countries in the region. Over the weekend, China's finance minister Lan Fo'an said that the Asian powerhouse will "adopt more proactive macroeconomic policies to promote the realization of the expected growth target for the whole year and continue to bring stability and momentum to the global economy," according to a Google translation of a statement posted on the ministry's website. Chinese authorities are slated to hold a press...
US stocks closed higher on Friday, marking a fourth straight session of gains, driven by strength in Big Tech, while President Trump's latest tariff remarks kept trade tensions in the spotlight. The S&P 500 rose 0.7%, the Nasdaq gained 1.1%, and the Dow gained 20 points. Trump's suggestion of a 50% tariff would be a "total victory" added to uncertainty, while Beijing dismissed claims that talks were ongoing, offsetting optimism from China's decision to exempt some US goods from tariffs. Alphabet shares rose 1.5% after beating earnings estimates, declaring its first dividend, and...
European stocks extended their rally into a fourth session on Friday, with the STOXX 50 up 0.8% and the STOXX 600 up 0.3%. Traders took some comfort from signs of a potential U.S.-China tariff truce, despite denials from China and advances from the U.S. Reports suggested China was considering suspending 125% tariffs on certain U.S. imports, while President Trump reiterated that trade talks were going well. Both indexes posted a second straight week of gains, up 4.4% and 2.5% respectively. Earnings season, meanwhile, remained in focus, with Safran shares up 4.2% after the company reported...
The three major averages in the US swung between small gains and losses on Friday, after gaining in the previous three sessions, as traders weigh confusing signals on trade developments and a fresh batch of corporate earnings. There were reports that China was considering suspending its 125% tariff on certain US imports, but Chinese authorities stated that no tariff negotiations were underway. Meanwhile, President Trump said his administration was in discussions with Beijing. Communication services was by far the top performer while energy, materials and health booked the biggest...
The Hang Seng rose 71 points or 0.3% to close at 21,981 on Friday, recovering from the previous session's declines following a strong rally on Wall Street Thursday. Sentiment also improved after PBoC Governor Pan Gongsheng reaffirmed the central bank's commitment to an "appropriately loose" monetary policy to support China's economy. Reports that Beijing may exempt some U.S. goods from its 125% tariffs also lifted the mood, as China weighs the economic toll of the trade war. For the week, the index added 2.7%, its second straight weekly gain, fueled by optimism over Beijing's move to...
The STOXX 50 rose 0.7% and the STOXX 600 gained 0.4% on Friday, marking a fourth consecutive session of gains. Both indexes were on track to end the week up approximately 3.7% and 2.4%, respectively. Investor sentiment was buoyed by easing trade tensions and a more conciliatory tone from the White House. On Thursday, President Trump stated that his administration was in discussions with China, while Bloomberg reported today that Beijing is considering suspending its 125% tariff on certain US imports, citing sources familiar with the matter. Travel and auto stocks were among the top...
Japan stocks were higher after the close on Friday, as gains in the Real Estate, Banking and Textile sectors led shares higher. At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 rose 1.95%. The best performers of the session on the Nikkei 225 were Nidec Corp (TYO:6594), which rose 12.48% or 278.50 points to trade at 2,510.50 at the close. Meanwhile, JTEKT Corp. (TYO:6473) added 8.86% or 91.50 points to end at 1,124.00 and Fujikura Ltd. (TYO:5803) was up 8.79% or 426.00 points to 5,272.00 in late trade. The worst performers of the session were Hino Motors, Ltd. (TYO:7205), which fell 5.00% or 23.30...
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....