The dollar continued its strengthening for a second day, pressuring all G-10 currencies; the Japanese yen slumped for a fourth session to its weakest level since March before paring losses. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index rose about 0.6% in two days. USD/JPY strengthened 0.4% to 150.89. It reached its Tuesday session high of 151.03, a level last seen on March 28. Further gains in the pair would put the March high of 151.30 in sight. EUR/USD fell 0.4% to 1.167, falling for the fourth time in five days. GBP/USD fell 0.6% to 1.3407 after two days of gains. USD/CAD rose 0.1% to 1.3955. US...
The Hang Seng surged 682 points or 3.0% to close at 23,549 on Monday, marking its eighth straight session of gains and hitting a 1-1/2 month high. The rally followed a sharp rise in U.S. futures after the U.S. and China agreed to a 90-day pause in trade tensions and a major easing of tariffs. Washington will cut duties on Chinese goods to 30% from 145%, while Beijing will lower tariffs on U.S. goods to 10% from 125%. Sentiment was further lifted by data showing China's car sales rose nearly 10% yoy in April. Tech stocks led the advance, with the sector index up around 5%, boosted by gains...
European equity markets are set for a strong start on Monday, boosted by an easing of US-China trade tensions after high-level negotiations over the weekend in Switzerland. US officials announced that a deal had been reached aimed at reducing the trade deficit, while Chinese representatives highlighted a "significant consensus" between the two sides. A joint statement with further details is expected later in the day. Meanwhile, there are no major economic releases in Europe on Monday, with earnings due from Italian banking giant UniCredit. In premarket trading, Euro Stoxx 50 futures rose...
Japanese stocks rose after the close on Monday (5/12), as gains in the Real Estate, Banking and Textile sectors helped stocks advance. At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 was up 0.42%. The best performers on the Nikkei 225 were Advantest Corp. (TYO:6857), which rose 9.04% or 605.00 points to trade at 7,300.00 at the close. Meanwhile, Pacific Metals Co., Ltd. (TYO:5541) rose 7.30% or 116.00 points to close at 1,704.00 and Yaskawa Electric Corp. (TYO:6506) gained 6.79% or 205.00 points to 3,226.00 at the close. The worst performers on the session were DeNA Co Ltd (TYO:2432), which fell...
Hong Kong stocks jumped 322 points, or 1.4%, to 23,188 on Monday morning, marking their eighth straight session of gains and hitting a 1-1/2-month high. The rally followed a strong surge in U.S. stock futures amid signs of progress in U.S.-China trade talks over the weekend. Washington has highlighted progress toward a deal while Beijing has confirmed both sides have agreed to start formal negotiations. Investor sentiment was further boosted by easing geopolitical tensions, including a fragile ceasefire between India and Pakistan and Ukrainian President Zelenskiy's openness to meeting...
The Nikkei 225 index rose 0.2% to 37,600 while the broader Topix index gained 0.4% to 2,744 on Monday, with Japanese shares hitting a six-week high as the U.S. cited "substantial progress" in trade talks with China over the weekend in Switzerland. The U.S. highlighted efforts to reduce its trade deficit, while Chinese leaders confirmed a "significant consensus" had been reached. However, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick noted that the 10% base tariff on other countries is expected to remain in place "for the foreseeable future." Investors are also keeping an eye on ongoing trade talks...
Asia-Pacific markets rose on Monday on optimism that U.S.-China trade tensions could ease after the two superpowers held talks in Switzerland over the weekend. Both countries touted a positive conclusion to high-stakes trade talks, with U.S. officials touting a deal to reduce their trade deficit, while Chinese leaders said they had reached an "important consensus." U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that the talks resulted in "significant" productivity gains. Meanwhile, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said a joint statement containing "good news for the world" would be released on...
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) followed the broader market lower on Friday, declining to 41,150 as investors gear up for a tense weekend. The United States (US) and China are headed for opening trade talks in Switzerland this weekend, but policymakers from both administrations have cautioned that talks will be strictly preliminary. Chinese delegates have specifically warned that a definitive deal could be months away. US President Donald Trump hit social media early on Friday, publicly musing about a potential walkback of tariffs on Chinese goods that currently stand at an...
European stocks closed firmly higher on Friday as the possibility that the US and China will de-escalate their trade war with talks this weekend supported risk-on assets. The STOXX 50 added 0.4% to 5,310 and the pan-European STOXX 600 rose 0.4% to 548. On the policy front, ECB official Olli Rehn stated that the central bank should consider cutting interest rates in the upcoming meeting provided that upcoming forecasts confirm a continued disinflation trend and weakening growth momentum. Consumer discretionary companies and utility providers led the gains after lagging behind in the previous...
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....