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...
Stocks resumed their pullback on Thursday as the latest concessions from the White House on President Donald Trump's controversial tariff policies failed to calm rattled investors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded 523 points lower, or 1.2%. The S&P 500 shed 1.8%, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 2.3%. The major averages have each lost more than 3% this week as U.S. tariffs on Canadian, Mexican and Chinese imports took effect, rocking financial markets. Canada and China responded with retaliatory levies of its own, while Mexico said it would unveil measures over the...
Stocks fell again on Thursday as investors sought more clarity on the latest U.S. tariff measures and their impact on the economy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was trading 530 points lower, or 1%. The S&P 500 was down 1.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite was down 1.8%. U.S. tariffs on Canadian, Mexican and Chinese imports took effect this week, rattling financial markets. Canada and China responded with their own retaliatory tariffs, while Mexico said it would announce its own measures over the weekend. The major averages have each lost at least 3% this week as trade tensions escalate....
The Hang Seng surged 776 points, or 3.3%, to close at 24,370, marking its third straight gain and its highest level in more than three years, with all sectors gaining. Investors viewed policy signals from China's annual parliamentary meeting positively, prompting increased buying. The technology sector rose 5.4%, led by an 8.5% surge in Alibaba Group, which has surged 46% since hitting a 2025 low on Jan. 13, on optimism over its AI development efforts. Consumer, property and financial stocks also rose strongly, as traders bet that the latest U.S. tariff hike under President Trump would not...
European markets opened higher on Thursday as investors eyed further earnings releases and awaited the latest monetary policy decision from the European Central Bank. The regional Stoxx 600 index rose 0.26% shortly after the market opened. Air France-KLM shares rose more than 16% after the airline group beat market expectations for full-year and fourth-quarter operating profits. Germany's Lufthansa rose 7% on its own annual results, which showed a decline in annual profit but also slightly above consensus. DHL Group, listed as Deutsche Post, jumped 9% after announcing a 1 billion euro...
Japan stocks were higher after the close on Thursday, as gains in the Shipbuilding, Textile and Marine Transport sectors led shares higher. At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 rose 0.91%. The best performers of the session on the Nikkei 225 were Japan Steel Works Ltd (TYO:5631), which rose 15.86% or 843.00 points to trade at 6,159.00 at the close. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (TYO:7011) added 10.79% or 245.50 points to end at 2,520.50 and Okuma Corp. (TYO:6103) was up 8.04% or 265.00 points to 3,560.00 in late trade. The worst performers of the session were Mitsubishi...
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...