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...
The Hang Seng Index opened 77 points, or 0.31%, higher at 25,136 points. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index rose by 22 points, or 0.25%, to 8,960 points, while the Tech Index increased by 23 points, or 0.42%, reaching 5,602 points. In the technology sector, stocks displayed varied performance: Tencent gained 1.1%, while Alibaba fell by 1%. Meituan declined by 0.1%, Xiaomi increased by 1%, JD.com also rose by 1%, and Kuaishou edged up by 0.1%.In the technology sector, stocks displayed varied performance: Tencent gained 1.1%, while Alibaba fell by 1%. Meituan declined by 0.1%, Xiaomi...
The Nikkei 225 jumped 1.2% to around 43,100 and the Topix gained 0.8% to 3,105 on Friday, with Japanese equities rising for a second session after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order cutting tariffs on Japanese cars to 15% from 27.5%. The order also cemented an agreement for $550 billion in Japanese investments in US projects. Sentiment was further lifted by a strong Wall Street rally as soft US labor data bolstered bets on a Federal Reserve rate cut this month. Domestically, data showed Japan's real wages turned positive in August for the first time since December,...
Asia-Pacific markets opened higher Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday formalizing a lower Japanese auto import tariff of 15%, down from 27.5%.The order also confirms the agreement for $550 billion of Japanese investments in U.S. projects.Japan's Nikkei 225 jumped 1.39% and the Topix added 0.86% after Japan's July household spending rose 1.4% year over year. South Korea's Kospi climbed 0.26% while the Kosdaq jumped 0.35%.Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.58%.Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was on course to open lower, with the futures contract at 25,021,...
The S&P 500 closed at a fresh record high after an afternoon boost pushed stocks solidly into the green as traders shook off weak private employment data earlier in the day. A big jobs report now looms over the market, with traders wanting a figure Friday that bolsters rate cut chances without causing a scare about a recession. The broad market S&P 500 finished up 0.83% at 6,502.08, while the Nasdaq Composite settled up 0.98% at 21,707.69. The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished up 350.06 points, or 0.77%, at 45,621.29. The ADP private payrolls report showed an increase of 54,000...
European stocks closed firmly higher on Thursday, with the STOXX 50 and the STOXX 600 adding 0.4% and 0.6%, respectively, extending the rebound from the prior session as long-dated yields edged lower and eased concerns of higher credit costs. Yields were further pressured by pessimistic labor market data in the US following a batch of pessimistic signals about the labor market in the world's largest economy, consolidating bets of incoming rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Travel stocks were among the weakest performers, with Jet2 plunging 12.5 after cutting its winter 2025–26 capacity...
The three major averages in the US swing between small gains and losses on Thursday, as traders digest the latest batch of economic data and what it means for the Fed's plans. The US private sector added only 54K jobs in August, reinforcing signs that the labor market is losing momentum and strengthening expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut this month. Initial jobless claims also rose to 237K, the highest in nearly two months. This followed Wednesday's weaker-than-expected JOLTS report. On the other hand, the ISM Services PMI rose more-than-expected to a six-month high. Investors are...
The Hang Seng Index fell 285 points, or 1.1%, to close at 25,058 on Thursday (September 4), weakening for a third session amid widespread weakness. The index followed mainland Chinese stocks lower after reports that China was considering cooling measures for the stock market, including easing some restrictions on short selling. The news triggered profit-taking after a 10% surge in Chinese stocks in August, driven by record margin financing and intensive trading, which raised concerns about overheating. The technology index slumped 1.9%, dragged down by a decline in Cambricon shares, due to...
Both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 hovered around the flatline on Thursday, as bond market pressures eased and yields edged lower. Traders remained focused on upcoming US labour market data to gauge the Federal Reserve's next move, with a rate cut this month now almost fully priced in. Trade policy developments also drew attention after President Trump urged the Supreme Court to swiftly hear his appeal to overturn last week's ruling that declared most tariffs illegal. Travel stocks were among the weakest performers, with Jet2 plunging 13.8% after cutting its winter 2025–26 capacity outlook...
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....