Oil prices stabilized on Thursday (February 12th), as the market reassigned a risk premium to US-Iran tensions despite US inventory data showing swelling domestic supplies. This movement confirms one thing: geopolitical headlines are still more "noise" than signals of a short-term surplus. As of 3:50 PM WIB, Brent was at $69.60/barrel (+0.29%) and WTI was at $64.83/barrel (+0.31%). The gains were moderate, but enough to keep prices near the psychological $70 level for Brent. From a geopolitical perspective, market focus is on the potential for escalation in the Middle East. Recent reports...
Japan stocks were higher after the close on Thursday, as gains in the Real Estate, Banking and Textile sectors led shares higher. At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 added 1.20% to hit a new all time high. The best performers of the session on the Nikkei 225 were Resonac Holdings Corp (TYO:4004), which rose 11.65% or 540.00 points to trade at 5,175.00 at the close. Meanwhile, SUMCO Corp. (TYO:3436) added 7.39% or 104.50 points to end at 1,518.00 and Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co. (TYO:5706) was up 5.93% or 605.00 points to 10,810.00 in late trade. The worst performers of the session...
Hong Kong stocks added 44 points or 0.2% to 26,954 on Thursday morning, advancing for the second session and holding near four-year highs. Sentiment improved further after the Fed cut rates by 25bps for the first time in nine months and signaled two more reductions this year, citing labor market risks over inflation. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority followed, lowering borrowing costs to 4.5%, the lowest since November 2022. Chief Executive Eddie Yue said the move should support property and the wider economy. Tech stocks led the strength after Beijing reportedly ordered firms to halt Nvidia...
The Nikkei 225 advanced 0.4% toward 45,000 while the Topix added 0.1% to 3,150 on Thursday, with Japanese stocks rebounding from the prior session after the US Federal Reserve delivered a quarter-point rate cut as expected. The Fed also projected two more cuts this year but only one in 2026, countering market bets for two or three reductions next year. Domestically, the Bank of Japan began its two-day policy meeting, with rates widely expected to be left unchanged as officials assess the impact of US tariffs on Japan's export-driven economy. Still, analysts noted the BOJ could lift rates...
US stocks closed mixed on Wednesday (September 18) as investors weighed the Federal Reserve's interest rate outlook following an anticipated 25 bps rate cut. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 fell 0.1% and 0.3%, respectively, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 260 points, driven by gains in traditional sectors. The FOMC median projection suggests two more rate cuts this year, but strong growth, low unemployment, and upward revisions to core inflation raise doubts about the pace of easing in 2026. Chairman Powell also signaled caution, refraining from expressing confidence in further...
The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq hovered near the flatline while the Dow Jones gained almost 200 points on Wednesday, with traders refraining from making big bets ahead of the FOMC's policy decision later in the day. The Fed is widely expected to cut the fed funds rate by 25 bps, with investors closely watching for any dissents, signs of disagreement, and the updated dot plot for clues on the future policy path. On the data front, both housing starts and building permits came in weaker than expected. Utilities and consumer staples were the top performing sectors while consumer discretionary...
The Hang Seng jumped 470 points, or 1.8%, to finish at 26,908 on Wednesday, picking up from a subdued close in the previous session and hitting its highest level since mid-July 2021 amid a widely expected Fed rate cut later today and the prospect of further easing this year. The tech index surged 4.3%, reflecting optimism over China's AI progress and signs of easing trade tensions with the U.S. ahead of Friday's call between President Trump and Xi Jinping. Consumer shares also logged solid advances after Hong Kong leader John Lee pledged in his 2025 policy address to improve livelihoods,...
European stocks steadied after the previous day's decline, as investors cautiously awaited the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision later in the day. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index was 0.1% higher by 8:12 a.m. in London, after it fell the most in two weeks on Tuesday with tariff concerns back into focus. UK shares edged higher as data showed that inflation held at the highest level in more than one-and-a-half years in August. Fed officials are expected to lower interest rates for the first time this year to backstop a faltering US labor market. Focus will be...
The Nikkei 225 Index slipped 0.25% to 44,790 while the broader Topix Index fell 0.71% to 3,146 on Wednesday, retreating from record highs after weak trade data raised concerns over Japan's export-dependent economy. Exports edged down 0.1% in August, a smaller decline than expected but the fourth straight monthly drop, led by a 13.8% plunge in shipments to the US. Imports contracted 5.2%, moderating from July's 7.4% fall but still above the 4.1% drop forecast by analysts. Japanese stocks also tracked overnight losses on Wall Street as investors grew cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve's...
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....