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...
European stocks started the new trading week in positive territory, although investors will be looking to see if global market volatility continues. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was 0.1% higher shortly after the opening bell, with most sectors moving higher. European markets ended the week higher Friday after German lawmakers reportedly came closer to agreeing on reforming the country's so-called debt brake rule. Media reports said Germany's likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz had won support from the Greens party to hike public borrowing to allow an increase in defense...
Japan stocks were higher after the close on Monday, as gains in the Power, Rubber and Chemical, Petroleum & Plastic sectors led shares higher. At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 rose 0.95%. The best performers of the session on the Nikkei 225 were Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (TYO:7011), which rose 12.17% or 311.00 points to trade at 2,867.00 at the close. Meanwhile, IHI Corp. (TYO:7013) added 9.70% or 1,045.00 points to end at 11,820.00 and Hitachi Construction Machinery Co (TYO:6305) was up 6.33% or 253.00 points to 4,250.00 in late trade. The worst performers of the...
Hong Kong equities jumped 375 points or 1.6% to 24,338 in Monday morning trading, extending gains for the second session. Optimism over China's newly announced "Special Action Plan to Boost Consumption," aimed at stimulating domestic demand, supported the rally. In addition, state media Xinhua said that Beijing also plans to stabilize the stock and real estate markets, boost the birth rate, and support inbound and domestic tourism. These comprehensive measures were unveiled on Sunday. On the economic data front, China's industrial output rose 5.9% yoy in the first two months of 2025,...
The Nikkei 225 Index surged 1.2% to above 37,400, while the broader Topix Index also gained 1.2% to 2,748 on Monday, with both benchmarks reaching their highest levels in over a week amid a broad market advance. Japanese shares mirrored a relief rally on Wall Street from Friday, as investors continued to assess evolving trade policies and broader economic uncertainties in the US. Market sentiment also received a boost after China unveiled a special action plan over the weekend, introducing measures to increase wages and stabilize stock and real estate markets. Leading the gains were index...
tocks rallied Friday, clawing back some of the steep losses seen over the week, as investors got a reprieve from tariff-related headlines. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 674.62 points, or 1.65%, to close at 41,488.19. The S&P 500 climbed 2.13% to end at 5,638.94, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 2.61% to settle at 17,754.09. It was the best day in 2025 for both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq. Big tech shares that were rattled earlier this week saw a sharp recovery on Friday. Nvidia shares popped more than 5%. Tesla jumped nearly 4%, and Meta Platforms gained close to 3%. Amazon...
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...