United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's tour of Gulf countries is aimed at coordinating positions after Tuesday's Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in Doha, his diplomatic adviser said on Thursday. "The President's Gulf tour reflects a deep conviction in strengthening coordination and cooperation, and in reinforcing the concept of a common destiny," Anwar Gargash said in a post on X. Israel attempted on Tuesday to kill Hamas political leaders in an airstrike on the Qatari capital, escalating its military campaign in the Middle East and prompting a flurry of...
Equities in Indonesia rose 64 points, or 0.9%, to 7,555 around noon on Thursday, gaining for a second straight session and supported primarily by heavyweight stocks. The IDX Composite hit its highest level since October 31, 2024, breaking above the 7,500 mark, tracking an upbeat session on Wall Street overnight following US-EU trade agreements. The deals also raised hopes for detailed trade agreements between the US and China—Indonesia's top trading partner. Nearly all sectors traded in the green, with the financial sector leading the gains, soaring 3.3%. Among the top performers were...
The EU and the U.S. are reportedly nearing a trade agreement that would impose a 15% tariff on most imports, including potentially cars and pharmaceuticals, Bloomberg News reported, citing diplomats. The proposed rate mirrors a similar deal the U.S. reached with Japan. While EU Commission officials briefed member states on the negotiations, any final decision would rest with U.S. President Donald Trump. The 15% tariff would not be added to existing U.S. duties, which average just under 5%. Certain sectors, such as the aircraft, lumber, certain medicines, and agricultural goods, may be...
The European Union and the US are moving toward a deal that would impose 15% tariffs on most products, according to diplomats briefed on the negotiations. Member states are likely ready to accept 15% tariffs, and EU officials are pushing for them to cover sectors including autos, diplomats said. Steel and aluminum imports above a certain quota would be subject to a 50% duty, one diplomat added. Diplomats said that while the EU is optimistic that a deal can be reached, they are also cautious that any final agreement would require the approval of US President Donald Trump, and his final...
US existing-home sales fell 2.7% from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.93 million units in June 2025, down from 4.04 million in May and below market expectations of 4.01 million. This marked the lowest sales pace since September 2024, as the median home price climbed to $435,300, the highest ever recorded for June and the 24th consecutive year-over-year price increase. Sales of single-family homes declined by 3% to 3.57 million, while condominiums and co-ops held steady at 360,000 units. Regionally, sales dropped in the Northeast (-8%), Midwest (-4%), and South...
The U.S. Federal Reserve's independence is under threat from mounting political interference, according to a clear majority of economists polled by Reuters, although no one expects a July interest rate cut despite a recent divergence in views among policymakers. President Donald Trump has made it almost a daily routine to personally attack Fed Chair Jerome Powell over the central bank's stance of holding rates due to tariff-related risks of higher inflation. A recent jump in inflation suggests businesses are now passing some of the tariffs onto consumers. Most Federal Market Open Committee...
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.
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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...
Less than four months ago, President Donald Trump met with Qatar's leader, praised his magnificent palace, and signed a comprehensive defense agreement with the Gulf monarchy, a key ally that hosts...