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...
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...
Major European bourses edged higher on Thursday, with the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 both up 0.1%—marking a third straight session of gains and trading near one-month highs. Investors remained focused on economic data, corporate earnings, and geopolitical developments, with Presidents Trump and Putin set to meet tomorrow. Optimism was also supported by expectations that the Fed will deliver a 25 bps cut to the federal funds rate next month. Among megacaps, SAP (+0.1%) and ASML Holding (+0.4%) advanced, while LVMH, Hermès, Nestlé, and Novo Nordisk were little changed. On the earnings front,...
The Nikkei 225 fell 1.45% to close at 42,649, while the broader Topix dropped 1.1% to 3,058 on Thursday, as Japanese stocks pulled back from record highs amid profit taking. The market had rallied earlier in the week after softer US inflation data boosted expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut next month. A strong earnings season in Japan and an improving global trade outlook also added to bullish sentiment. On the policy front, the Bank of Japan faces mounting pressure to abandon an inflation gauge tied to domestic demand and wage growth that has so far restrained further...
Hong Kong shares added 53 points or 0.2% to 25,659 in Thursday's morning session, rising for the fourth day to a three-week high. Sentiment was lifted by record closes for Wall Street's S&P 500 and Nasdaq for the second day overnight, as traders increased bets on a US Fed rate cut next month. Meantime, Treasury Secretary Bessent called for a series of cuts, starting with a 50bps move in September. In China, Beijing pledged interest subsidies for businesses in eight consumer service sectors to boost spending. Further strength, however, was capped by growing caution ahead of July activity...
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....