Silver prices weakened slightly and are now hovering around US$39–39.40 per ounce, still near their highest levels since 2011. Strengthening bond yields and the US dollar have somewhat curbed the upward trend, but the white metal still posted a year-over-year surge of more than 36%—leading gold's rise of around 31%. The global silver market has recorded a deficit for five consecutive years, and by 2025, a shortfall of approximately 149 million ounces is expected. Mine production has increased slightly, but not enough to offset surging demand. Despite pressure from a strengthening US dollar...
The Hang Seng lost 41 points or 0.2% to close at 24,284 on Friday, marking a second session of drop after a brief rise in morning trade. Sentiment turned cautious after data showed that China's industrial output slumped 9.1% yoy in May, the first fall in three months, dragging year-to-date output down 1.1% amid deflation risks and tariff uncertainty. Traders were also worried ahead of June PMI data in China next week from official and private sources. Property stocks dipped, with losses from China Overseas Land (-3.9%), Henderson Land (-2.3%), and Longfor Group (-1.8%). Pharma names such as...
European stocks rose on Friday as investors assessed signs of easing trade tensions between the United States and China, raising hopes of a further trade deal before a U.S. tariff pause deadline is lifted in July. The pan-European STOXX 600 index, which opened up 0.6 percent at 540.67 points, as of 0707 GMT. It was on track for its first weekly gain in three weeks. Other major regional indexes also traded higher. The United States has reached a deal with China on how to speed up shipments of rare earths to the United States, a White House official said on Thursday. With concerns about...
Japanese stocks rose after the close on Friday (6/27), as gains in the Real Estate, Banking and Textile sectors boosted shares. At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 rose 1.42% to hit a fresh 3-month high. The best performer on the Nikkei 225 was Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. (TYO:5713), which rose 6.87% or 232.00 points to trade at 3,610.00 at the close. Meanwhile, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co Ltd (TYO:4506) rose 6.62% or 61.00 points to close at 983.00 and Yokohama Rubber Co Ltd (TYO:5101) gained 6.42% or 235.00 points to close at 3,897.00. The worst performers on the session were...
Hong Kong stocks edged up 25 points, or 0.1%, to 24,348 in early trade on Friday, following losses in the previous session, largely supported by gains in consumer stocks. An overnight rally on Wall Street lifted sentiment after the S&P 500 closed near a record. The White House's efforts to play down a looming July tariff deadline also helped calm investor nerves. However, the upside momentum was capped by caution ahead of the release of the US PCE index, the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, due later in the day. Meanwhile, recent data showed a slight annual decline in China's industrial...
The Nikkei 225 rose 1.3% to around 40,100 on Friday, while the broader Topix index gained 1.1% to 2,835, as Japanese equities rose to multi-month highs after a strong session on Wall Street. Market sentiment improved after the White House downplayed the urgency of an upcoming tariff deadline, easing investor concerns about a protracted trade war. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt indicated the deadline was flexible and could be extended. Meanwhile, investors weighed fresh data showing Tokyo's core inflation slowed in June but remained well above the Bank of Japan's 2% target, maintaining...