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...
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Wednesday, tracking declines in two key Wall Street benchmarks overnight after the U.S. consumer confidence survey came in much weaker than economists' estimates. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 and Topix were in negative territory for the second consecutive day. The Nikkei 225 fell 1.09%, while the broader Topix index was down 0.99% South Korea's Kospi rose 0.11% while the small-cap Kosdaq advanced 0.52%. Mainland China's CSI300 index started the day 0.16% higher. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index climbed 1.71% at the open. The Asian financial hub's annual...
The Hang Seng Index opened 204 points, or 0.88%, higher at 23,238 points this morning. The National Enterprises Index climbed by 69 points, or 0.81%, to reach 8,568 points, while the Technology Index increased by 64 points, or 1.13%, to 5,763 points. At 10.10am, the Hang Seng Index was trading at 23,521.59, up by 487.57 points or 2.12%.In the tech sector, notable gains were seen with Tencent rising by 0.6%, Alibaba by 1.3%, Meituan by 1.5%, Xiaomi by 1.9%, JD.com by 1.8%, and Kuaishou by 0.2%.Financial stocks remained stable, with HSBC Holdings up by 2.1%, AIA Insurance gaining 0.5%, Ping An...
The Nikkei 225 Index fell 1% to below 37,900 on Wednesday, hitting its lowest level in three months, mirroring losses on Wall Street amid growing economic concerns. Investors are also awaiting Nvidia's earnings report later today to assess whether the artificial intelligence rally remains strong. Meanwhile, traders in Japan are gearing up for a series of key economic reports due on Friday, which could provide fresh insights into the Bank of Japan's future monetary policy. The data, including figures on industrial production, retail sales, and Tokyo inflation, will be closely watched. Chip...
Stocks fell broadly on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 on track for its fourth straight decline, as traders weighed concerns about economic growth and global trade. The broad-market index fell 0.2%. The Nasdaq Composite fell 1%, with Nvidia's 1.4% drop leading the decliners. This week's losses have pulled the tech-focused Nasdaq into negative territory for the year. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was trading higher by 220 points, or 0.5%. The market fell after the Conference Board's latest consumer confidence survey came in much weaker than economists had expected. It followed a...
European stocks closed near the flatline on Tuesday (25/2), the fourth straight session of flat movement as markets continued to assess the prospect of higher government spending by European governments and the impact of trade barriers imposed by the U.S. The eurozone STOXX 50 closed 0.1% lower at 5,448 and the pan-European STOXX 600 gained 0.2% to 554. German carmakers were among the biggest gainers despite U.S. President Trump's announcement that the U.S. would follow through on earlier tariff threats against Mexico, a major manufacturing hub for European writers. Volkswagen, BMW and...