The US dollar index fluctuated around 98.4 on Friday (December 19) and is expected to close the week relatively unchanged. Investors are still weighing the chances of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut next year, as inflation continues to decline and signs of weakness in the US labor market emerge. The latest inflation data indicates price pressures are easing. The November CPI report showed headline inflation fell to 2.7%, the lowest since July and below market expectations. Core inflation also weakened to 2.6%, the slowest pace since early 2021. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate rose to...
The Nikkei 225 index jumped 1.71% to 43,378, while the broader Topix index rose 1.63% to 3,108 on Friday (August 15), recovering from the previous session's decline as stronger-than-expected GDP data boosted sentiment. Japan's economy grew 0.3% in the second quarter, up from 0.1% growth in the first quarter, which also matched the consensus forecast. This positive surprise was primarily driven by net exports, which added 0.3 percentage points to growth despite headwinds from US tariffs. Globally, higher-than-expected US producer price inflation dampened speculation of a half-point Federal...
Hong Kong stocks plunged 332 points (-1.3%) to 25,192 in Friday morning trading, extending their decline into a second session. Selling pressure spread across most sectors, particularly financials, technology, and consumer discretionary, as regional risk appetite weakened. Sentiment was weighed down after Chinese data for July showed industrial output and retail sales below expectations, confirming slowing economic momentum amid persistent external risks, weather disruptions, and weak domestic demand. The surveyed unemployment rate also rose to 5.2%, a four-month high. Nevertheless, the...
The Nikkei 225 Index climbed 0.5% to above 42,800, while the broader Topix Index advanced 0.75% to 3,080 on Friday, rebounding from the prior session's losses as stronger-than-expected GDP data lifted sentiment. Japan's economy expanded 0.3% in the second quarter, accelerating from a 0.1% growth in Q1 which was also the consensus forecast. The upside surprise driven mainly by net exports, which added 0.3 percentage points to growth despite headwinds from US tariffs. Globally, a hotter-than-expected US producer price inflation reading tempered bets on a supersized half-point Federal Reserve...
Asian markets are expected to open mixed. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 is expected to start the day slightly lower, with futures tied to the benchmark at 8,838, compared to the index's last close of 8,873.8. Japan's Nikkei 225 is expected to open higher, with futures in Chicago at 42,795, while those in Osaka last traded at 42,770, compared to the index's last close of 42,649.26. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index were at 25,316, indicating a weaker open compared to the HSI's last close of 25,519.32. (alg) Source: CNBC
Stocks recovered from lows reached earlier on Thursday, with investors buying the dip once again in spite of a dour wholesale inflation report. The late-day gains mean the S&P 500 notched its third straight record close, by the slimmest of margins, settling up 0.03% at 6,468.54. The Nasdaq Composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average were marginally lower, with the tech heavy index ending the day down 0.01% at 21,710.67, and the 30-stock Dow losing 11.01 points, or 0.02%, to close at 44,911.26. The S&P and Nasdaq were both down 0.4% at their lows before bouncing back. The Dow shed...
European stocks closed sharply higher for a second session on Thursday with continued support from its main sectors as amid optimism that tariffs from the United States will remain below the levels that were previously threatened. The STOXX 50 gained 0.9% to 5,437 and the STOXX 600 added 0.5% to 553. The EU Commission noted it is likely to finalize parts of the trade agreements with the US, holding tariffs on most goods at 15% instead of the steeper threats by US President Trump. Allianz gained over 2%, tracking the strong performances for insurers and reinsurers after Swiss Re delivered...
Stocks slipped on Thursday after a new inflation report showed that wholesale costs rose more than expected last month The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 200 points, or about 0.5%. The S&P 500 shed 0.4%, while the Nasdaq Composite slid 0.3%. Investors came into the session riding high, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posting fresh record highs in the previous session. The benchmarks got a jolt earlier this week after the release of a cooler-than-expected consumer price inflation report for July. That report stoked hopes among investors for a rate cut from the Federal Reserve at the...
The Hang Seng fell 94 points or 0.4% to end at 25,519 on Thursday, snapping the three-day winning streak after reversing early gains. Sentiment weakened ahead of China's July activity data due Friday, with investors wary of the impact from U.S. tariffs, soft demand, and recent adverse weather. Industrial output and retail sales in the mainland are expected to slow, while the jobless rate may edge higher. Meantime, fresh data showed new yuan loans logged their first monthly drop since 2005, as banks typically ease lending in July. Most sectors declined, led by tech, consumer, and...
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....