Gold prices extend gains, supported by expectations of further U.S. monetary easing, persistent geopolitical risks and strong investor demand. "While U.S. employment data was mixed, markets continue to see the Federal Reserve cutting its interest rates two times during the first part of 2026," says Bas Kooijman, CEO and Asset Manager of DHF Capital. Investors are now focused on November's consumer-price data due Thursday, as signs of further disinflation could push yields lower, weaken the dollar and allow gold to test fresh record highs, Kooijman said. Meanwhile, geopolitical fears drive...
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 surpassed the 45,000 mark for the first time, leading gains in Asia-Pacific markets Monday, after President Donald Trump said that the U.S.-China trade negotiations in Spain were progressing well. The trade talks were overshadowed by a "framework" deal regarding the divestment of Chinese-owned TikTok, announced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Monday. Speaking from Madrid, Bessent noted that the commercial terms have already been settled. Both U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will speak on Friday to discuss the terms. Japan's...
US stocks closed higher on Monday (September 15), driven by gains in technology stocks after President Donald Trump indicated that U.S.-China trade talks were progressing well, and investors awaited the Federal Reserve's decision on Wednesday. The S&P 500 rose 0.4% to close above 6,600 for the first time, the Nasdaq 100 gained 0.8%, also extending its record high, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose about 50 points. Tesla jumped 3.6% after CEO Elon Musk announced a nearly $1 billion stock purchase, his largest-ever public stock purchase, while Alphabet rose 4.3% to reach a $3...
Stocks in the US were higher on Monday, with the S&P 500 rising 0.4%, the Nasdaq adding 0.5% and the Dow Jones gaining about 50 points, as traders await the Fed's policy decision. Markets have fully priced in a 25 bps cut to the fed funds rate, while leaving a small chance for a larger 50 bps move. Investors largely expect rate cuts to persist through year-end. On the corporate front, Tesla shares surged nearly 7% after reports that Elon Musk purchased about $1 billion worth of the EV maker's stock last week. In contrast, Nvidia slipped about 1.5% after Chinese regulators said the...
Japan's Nikkei 225 index opened higher on Monday (September 15th) at 44,803.30 points before closing at 44,768.12 points. Although it briefly broke through its daily high of 44,888.02 points, the index was unable to maintain its full gains due to profit-taking near the close. Overall, the index recorded a daily gain of around +0.89% compared to the previous session. Daily Movement Throughout the session, the Nikkei moved within a range of 44,548.57 – 44,888.02 points. The strong opening sparked market optimism that the rally could continue, but selling pressure from investors seeking to...
The Hang Seng rose 58 points or 0.2% to close at 26,447 on Monday, marking its second straight gain and tracking an uptick in U.S. futures ahead of an expected Fed rate cut this week. While markets expect a 25bps reduction, President Trump has pushed for a larger move, calling the timing "ideal." Hong Kong shares hovered near a four-year high, supported by ongoing U.S.-China trade talks in Madrid that enter day two today. However, gains were capped by weak August data from China, with factory output, retail sales, credit, exports, and fixed asset investment all underperforming. Tech led...
European stocks started the week in positive territory, with the STOXX 50 up 0.6% and the STOXX 600 rising 0.3% to reach three-week highs, as traders brace for a busy week of central bank monetary policy decisions. The Federal Reserve is widely expected to resume interest rate cuts, with a 25 bps reduction fully priced in. Investors will also be watching policy updates from the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, and the Bank of Canada. Meanwhile, attention remains on France after Fitch downgraded the country's credit rating last Friday, citing rising government debt, growing political...
Hong Kong stocks rose 93 points, or 0.4%, to 26,480 in early trade on Monday, marking gains for the second session. Sentiment was supported by a modest rise in U.S. futures ahead of the Fed's policy meeting later this week, where the central bank is widely expected to cut rates by 25bps, though some traders are betting on a deeper half-point reduction amid cooling labor markets and mild inflation. Meanwhile, U.S.-China trade talks in Madrid entered their second day, signaling an intensification of diplomacy between the two countries. Tech and consumer names led the gains. However, the...
Asia-Pacific markets opened mixed as investors kept an eye on the talks between the U.S. and China in Spain, and awaited a slate of data from Beijing. U.S. and Chinese officials began talks in Madrid Sunday to discuss key national security, economic, and trade issues, including the upcoming deadline to divest Chinese short video app TikTok and U.S. tariffs. Delegations led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met with their counterparts, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and China's top trade negotiator, Li Chenggang. Meanwhile, China is...
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....