US consumer sentiment fell to 58.6 in August from 61.7—the first decline since April. The University of Michigan survey was conducted July 29–August 11, with tariff concerns again weighing on confidence. Full-year inflation expectations rose to 4.9%, while the 5–10-year forecast was 3.9%. Both were worse than economists' forecasts. Job concerns also increased: 62% of respondents predicted unemployment would rise. 58% planned to cut back on spending (cars, household goods, dining out), and durable goods purchasing conditions fell to their lowest in a year. Meanwhile, retail sales continued...
The Nikkei 225 Index edged up 0.2% to above 37,700, while the Topix Index slipped 0.3% to 2,795 in mixed trading on Monday. Japanese stocks struggled for direction as US President Donald Trump's April 2 deadline for reciprocal tariffs weighed on sentiment. However, Trump hinted on Friday that there could be "flexibility" in his plan, and weekend reports suggested the tariffs may be narrower in scope, potentially sparing certain industries. Domestically, fresh data showed that Japan's private sector activity contracted for the first time in five months, with manufacturing extending its...
Asia-Pacific markets opened mostly lower on Monday (3/24) as U.S. President Donald Trump's April 2 tariff deadline looms. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.37%. South Korea's Kospi fell 0.36%, while the small-cap Kosdaq fell 0.05%. Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 0.28% at the open while the Topix gained 0.13%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng futures last traded at 23,657, lower than the HSI's last close of 23,689.72. Over the weekend, Chinese Premier Li Qiang warned of "rising instability" and called on countries to open up markets and businesses. U.S. stock futures were higher, signaling that equities...
The S&P 500 inched higher on Friday, ending four consecutive weeks of declines that were brought on by trade policy turmoil, recession fears and a rollover in megacap tech shares. The S&P 500 added 0.08%, rising into positive territory as the trading session drew to a close. The broad market index ended the day at 5,667.56. The Nasdaq Composite gained 0.52% and settled at 17,784.05, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 32.03 points, or 0.08%, to close at 41,985.35. The broad-market S&P 500 posted a 0.5% weekly advance, averting a fifth straight week of losses. The...
European markets closed lower on Friday, led by declines in the travel sector which was down 1.6% after the closure of Heathrow airport. The pan-European Stoxx 600, French CAC 40 and the U.K.'s FTSE 100 all closed around 0.6% lower, while the the German DAX shed 0.5%. The travel and leisure sector lost about 1.6% after London's Heathrow Airport closed on Friday following a fire at a nearby electrical substation. British Airways-owner International Airlines Groupwas trading around 1.9% lower. Basic resources including stocks such as ArcelorMittal and wood pulp processor Stora Enso were...
European markets provisionally closed lower on Friday, led by declines in the travel sector which was down 1.6% after the closure of Heathrow airport. The pan-European Stoxx 600 and French CAC 40 were both about 0.6% lower by 4.40 p.m. London time, while the the German DAX shed 0.5%. London's FTSE 100 was about 0.6% lower. The travel and leisure sector lost about 1.6% after London's Heathrow Airport closed on Friday following a fire at a nearby electrical substation. British Airways-owner International Airlines Group was trading around 1.9% lower. Basic resources — including stocks such...
China's official NBS Manufacturing PMI increased to 49.7 in June 2025 from May's 49.5, matching market expectations while marking the third consecutive month of contraction in factory activity.
It...
Both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 hovered around the flatline on Friday, as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of further developments in trade talks between US President Trump and Chinese...
President Donald Trump said he would set levies on semiconductors in the coming two weeks, the latest indication he's readying a substantial expansion of his tariff regime.
"I'll be...