The US economy is slowing, according to a monthly index released Monday, increasing the likelihood that policymakers will cut interest rates next month. The Chicago Fed's National Activity Index fell slightly to minus 0.19 in July from a downwardly revised minus 0.18 in June. A reading below zero indicates slower growth than the long-term average. Employment indicators remained negative on the index, a fresh sign of fragility in the US labor market. This weakness is one of the main reasons for a rate cut at the Fed's policy meeting next month. Central bank Chairman Jerome Powell last week...
Stocks fell on Wednesday, as investors awaited a key earnings report from tech giant Nvidia and digested disappointing results from Targe The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 40 points, or 0.1%. The S&P 500 fell 0.4%, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.5%. "Like most investors, we will be watching NVIDIA's earnings report today for clues on how AI spending is coming in," Chris Senyek of Wolfe Research wrote in a Wednesday note. "We see negative news flow or disappointing spending trends as one of the key risks that could delay or even reverse the decline into the end of the...
Hong Kong shares continued to rise as authorities began taking steps to support the economy, including lowering taxes on property sales and planning supportive measures for foreign and domestic investors. Chinese officials have also reassured Wall Street executives of more capital market reforms and the release of the central bank's benchmark lending rate. The Hang Seng Index rose 0.21 percent, or 41.34 points, to close Wednesday at 19,705.01. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index rose 0.12 percent, or 8.65 points, to close at 7,090.86. Chinese government officials have vowed to further...
Japanese stocks were lower after the close on Wednesday, as losses in the Paper & Pulp, Gas & Water and Transportation sectors led shares lower. At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 was down 0.08%. The best performers of the session on the Nikkei 225 were Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., which rose 12.96% or 495.00 points to trade at 4,315.00 at the close. Meanwhile, Sompo Holdings Inc. gained 11.42% or 407.00 points to close at 3,971.00 and Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd. gained 6.52% or 159.00 points to 2,597.00 in late trade. The worst performers on the session were Tokio Marine...
European equity markets are set for a higher open on Wednesday, recovering from losses in the previous session as geopolitical concerns over the Russia-Ukraine war gradually ease. On Tuesday, financial markets were shaken after Russia lowered its threshold for a nuclear strike, while Ukraine launched a U.S.-made missile over the Russian border. However, tensions eased after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the country would "do everything possible" to avoid a nuclear war, and the U.S. indicated it saw no reason to adjust its nuclear policy. Meanwhile, data showed that U.K....
Hong Kong stocks fell, snapping a two-day gain, after China left benchmark lending rates unchanged. The Hang Seng Index fell 0.2 per cent to 19,624.84 as of 10.05am local time. The Hang Seng Tech Index slipped 0.1 per cent. The CSI 300 Index eased 0.2 per cent and the Shanghai Composite Index added 0.1 per cent. Geely Automobile dropped 3.4 per cent to HK$13.16 and smartphone maker Xiaomi lost 1.6 per cent to HK$27.85. Alibaba Group Holding slipped 1.1 per cent to HK$84.30 and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing lost 1 per cent to HK$297.60. The one-year loan prime rate (LPR) for November...
President Donald Trump said he would fire Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors if she does not resign her post over mortgage-fraud accusations from a top...
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) maintained its cash rate at 4.1% during its April meeting, holding borrowing costs unchanged after slashing 25 bps in the February meeting, aligning with market...