Oil prices rose slightly in trading on Tuesday (January 20) after better-than-expected Chinese economic data boosted demand optimism. Brent crude rose 19 cents (0.3%) to $64.13/barrel, while February WTI which expires today rose 25 cents (0.4%) to $59.69/barrel. The more active March WTI contract also edged higher to around $59.42/barrel. This strengthening was driven by news from China, the world's largest oil importer. The Chinese economy reportedly grew 5.0% through 2025, meeting the government's target. Refinery activity also increased, with refinery throughput rising 4.1% and crude oil...
The European stock markets closed higher in Wednesday trading as the Stoxx Europe 600 gained 0.49%, Germany's DAX was up 0.8%, the FTSE 100 increased 0.14%, France's CAC 40 advanced 0.53%, and the Swiss Market Index rose 0.47%. The European Commission adopted a new water resilience strategy aiming to secure clean, affordable water, restore the water cycle and foster a sustainable water economy. The commission said that the strategy consists of over 30 actions to tackle climate impacts and boost competitiveness. Euro area bank interest rates generally declined in April, with composite costs...
U.S. stocks inched up in choppy trading on Wednesday after weaker-than-expected private payrolls data deepened concerns about the Trump administration's erratic trade policies pressuring the labor market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI), opens new tab rose 54.5 points, or 0.13%, at the open to 42,574.13. The S&P 500 (.SPX), opens new tab rose 8.6 points, or 0.14%, at the open to 5,978.94, while the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC), opens new tab rose 36.0 points, or 0.19%, to 19,434.94 at the opening bell. Source: Reuters
The Hang Seng rose 141 points or 0.6% to close at 23,654 on Wednesday, marking a second straight day of gains amid optimism that an upcoming call between U.S. President Trump and China's Xi Jinping could ease trade tensions. The deadline also loomed for U.S. trading partners to submit proposals to avoid steep tariffs set to take effect in five weeks. Hong Kong's healthcare index led sector gains, up around 3% as investors bet on earnings growth from innovative drug makers. Innovent Biologics surged 13.8%, followed by CSPC Pharma (2.8%), Hansoh Pharma (2.6%), and Wuxi Biologics (1.6%)....
European shares inched up on Wednesday on gains in Airbus shares, while sentiment remained cautious ahead of a deadline for U.S. trading partners to make their "best offers" and as the U.S. levies on steel and aluminium imports kick in. Airbus SE (OTC:EADSY) shares rose 3.4% after Bloomberg News reported Chinese airlines are considering ordering hundreds of aircraft as soon as next month. The pan-European STOXX 600 rose 0.3% by 0707 GMT, having rallied about 15% from its early April lows as U.S. President Donald Trump paused sweeping tariffs and struck a trade agreement with the...
Japan stocks were higher after the close on Wednesday, as gains in the Real Estate, Banking and Textile sectors led shares higher. At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 gained 0.78%. The best performers of the session on the Nikkei 225 were Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. (TYO:5801), which rose 6.31% or 428.00 points to trade at 7,206.00 at the close. Meanwhile, Tokuyama Corp. (TYO:4043) added 6.01% or 170.00 points to end at 2,998.00 and Shiseido Co., Ltd. (TYO:4911) was up 5.94% or 137.00 points to 2,441.50 in late trade. The worst performers of the session were Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd....