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...
European shares climbed on Thursday as a U.S. trade court's decision to block President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs sparked a risk-on sentiment across global markets. The continent-wide STOXX 600 index was up 0.4%, as of 0715 GMT, with regional indexes also trading in the green. Germany's DAX 40 rose 0.5% to hover near a record high. The Court of International Trade ruled that Trump overstepped his authority by imposing the April 2 across-the-board duties on imports from U.S. trade partners. On Wall Street, stock index futures rose by more than 1.5% as the court's decision provided...
Japan stocks were higher after the close on Thursday, as gains in the Real Estate, Banking and Textile sectors led shares higher. At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 added 1.88% to hit a new 3-months high. The best performers of the session on the Nikkei 225 were Recruit Holdings Co Ltd (TYO:6098), which rose 6.43% or 543.00 points to trade at 8,988.00 at the close. Meanwhile, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (TYO:7201) added 5.95% or 21.40 points to end at 380.80 and Hino Motors, Ltd. (TYO:7205) was up 5.69% or 25.60 points to 475.40 in late trade. The worst performers of the session were Bandai...
(Hong Kong) The Hang Seng Index opened 17 points lower, down 0.07% at 23,240 points. The National Enterprises Index fell 9 points, or 0.11%, to 8,434 points, while the Technology Index gained 2 points, up 0.05%, reaching 5,177 points. In the technology sector, Tencent rose by 0.4%, whereas Alibaba and Meituan both declined by 0.3%. Xiaomi saw no change, while JD.com dropped 2.1% and Kuaishou increased by 0.6%. Financial stocks showed mixed results, with HSBC falling 0.3%. AIA and China Ping An remained unchanged, while the Hong Kong Stock Exchange rose 0.2%. In the automotive sector, BYD...
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Wednesday, after Wall Street gains on investor optimism after U.S. President Donald Trump extended the deadline for a 50% tariff on European Union imports until July 9. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 and Topix traded flat to close at 37,722.4 and 2,769.51 respectively. South Korea's Kospi jumped 1.25% to end the trading day at 2,670.15 and the small-cap Kosdaq Index advanced 0.23% to close at 728.79. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.13% to close at 8,396.9. Australia's inflation rate rose 2.4% in April, unchanged since February but higher than the...
The Nikkei 225 Index rallied 1.4% to above 38,200 while the broader Topix Index gained 1.1% to 2,800 on Thursday, extending this week's rally after a US federal court blocked President Donald Trump's global tariff measures. The US Court of International Trade ruled that Trump had exceeded his authority in imposing reciprocal tariffs and ordered the measures to be vacated and permanently enjoined. The Trump administration is expected to appeal the decision. On the domestic front, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda signaled growing concern over rising super-long-term bond yields, stressing...