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...
The Nasdaq Composite notched a perfect week of closing highs on Friday as investors took signs of weakening jobs and tame inflation to mean the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates next week. The tech-heavy Nasdaq closed 0.44% higher to settle at 22,141.10, led by a surge in Tesla shares. The broad market S&P 500 hovered around the flatline, down just 0.05% to finish at 6,584.29. The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 273.78 points, or 0.59%, to close at 45,834.22. Having each closed at record levels Thursday, with the Dow finishing above 46,000 for the first time, the...
European stocks closed flat on Friday, after data showed the U.K. economic growth stalled in July. The pan-European Stoxx 600 was flat at 0.09% with no broad consensus movement among sectors and major bourses.Data released on Friday morning showed that the U.K. economy recorded zero growth in July, following a 0.4% economic expansion the previous month. The economic flatlining adds to the Bank of England's considerations as it prepares to update its monetary policy next week. On Thursday, the European Central Bank left its key interest rate unchanged in a highly anticipated move. In...
Wall Street indexes opened subdued on Friday after notching record highs in the previous session, though they remained on track to log gains in a week of economic reports that solidified expectations for interest rate cuts. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 30.9 points, or 0.07%, at the open to 46,077.14. The S&P 500 rose 3.2 points, or 0.05%, to 6,590.66, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 35.6 points, or 0.16%, to 22,078.629. Source : Reuters
The Hang Seng Index rose 301 points, or 1.2%, to 26,387 on Friday (September 12), climbing for a sixth straight session to its highest level since August 2021. The index surged 3.8% for the week, its strongest weekly gain since March, amid record highs on Wall Street as rising US jobless claims reinforced speculation of a Fed rate cut next week, with further easing likely through the end of the year. Adding to the positive sentiment, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet with Chinese Vice President He Lifeng in Madrid next week to continue talks on trade, economic, and security...
The STOXX 50 index edged up 0.1% to 5,390 points on Friday, its highest since late August, while the broader STOXX 600 also gained 0.1% to 555 points, as a jump in US jobless claims and a modest rise in inflation reinforced expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts next week and beyond. Meanwhile, the ECB signaled its rate-cutting cycle is over, with President Lagarde saying the bank is in a "good place" and that growth risks are now more balanced. In corporate news, Banco Sabadell slipped 0.6% after its board unanimously rejected BBVA's €15 billion takeover offer, urging shareholders not...
The Nikkei 225 climbed 0.89% to close at 44,768 and the Topix added 0.4% to 3,160 on Friday, with Japanese stocks hitting fresh record highs in line with Wall Street's overnight gains. On Thursday, all three major US indexes closed at all-time highs as signs of a cooling labor market and subdued inflation fueled expectations for deeper Federal Reserve rate cuts. In Japan, investors continued to assess the Bank of Japan's policy path amid mixed economic signals and political uncertainty. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba recently announced his resignation, facing mounting pressure after last...
Hong Kong shares surged 375 points, or 1.4%, to 26,405 on Friday morning's trade, reversing losses in the prior session and hitting their highest in over four years. The rally was broad-based, tracking a global rally after Wall Street's S&P 500 notched a third record close Thursday following higher-than-expected US jobless claims that solidified bets of a Fed rate cut next week, with more easing through year-end. For the week, the Hang Seng is up about 4%, set for a second straight weekly gain, lifted by a report that Beijing may direct state banks to help local governments cover unpaid...
The Nikkei 225 rose 0.7% to around 44,700 and the Topix gained 0.5% to 3,165 on Friday, with Japanese equities hitting fresh record highs in step with Wall Street's overnight rally. On Thursday, all three major US benchmarks closed at all-time highs as evidence of a cooling labor market and contained inflation strengthened expectations for deeper Federal Reserve rate cuts. In Japan, investors weighed the Bank of Japan's policy outlook against mixed economic indicators and ongoing political uncertainty. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba recently announced his resignation, facing mounting...
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....