Gold futures traded flat at around $3,308 per troy ounce, after previously weakening following the Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates. The Fed cited the risk of inflation due to tariffs as the primary reason, reinforcing the prospect of prolonged high interest rates, which typically dampens gold's appeal. The strengthening of the US dollar over the past week has also been a major factor weighing on gold prices. A stronger dollar makes gold more expensive for global buyers and reduces its appeal as a safe-haven asset. Gold prices at the time of writing were at...
Wall Street opened May on a strong note, with the S&P 500 rising 0.8%, the Dow Jones gaining 100 points, and the Nasdaq advancing 1.4%, supported by upbeat earnings from tech giants and optimism over global trade negotiations. Microsoft shares jumped 10% after the company projected stronger-than-expected growth for its Azure cloud business, while Meta gained over 6% on better-than-expected revenue. Meanwhile, General Motors climbed 1.5% after issuing a new 2025 profit forecast, while Eli Lilly lost 6% after its quarterly results and McDonald's slipped 2% following a decline in Q1...
The Nikkei 225 Index surged 1.13% to 36,452, while the broader Topix Index rose 0.46% to 2,679 on Thursday, with Japanese equities hitting a one-month high after the Bank of Japan kept its policy rate unchanged at 0.5%, as expected. Investor sentiment was further boosted by a dovish tilt in the BOJ's outlook, as the central bank cut its growth and inflation forecasts, signaling a lower likelihood of near-term rate hikes. The BOJ now projects GDP growth of 0.5% in 2025, down from 1% in its January forecast. Markets also welcomed renewed optimism over US-Japan trade talks, after President...
The Nikkei 225 Index climbed 0.5% on Thursday to surpass 36,200, reaching a one-month high as investors looked ahead to the Bank of Japan's latest monetary policy decision. The central bank is widely expected to keep its policy rate steady at 0.5%, as it assesses the possible effects of newly imposed US tariffs on Japan's export-reliant economy. Japanese shares also took cues from a positive lead on Wall Street , where investors brushed aside recession concerns after the US economy unexpectedly contracted in the first quarter. Adding to market optimism, hopes for progress in US-Japan trade...
The Nikkei 225 index rose 0.5% on Thursday to surpass 36,200, hitting a one-month high as investors awaited the Bank of Japan's latest monetary policy decision. The central bank is widely expected to keep its policy interest rate unchanged at 0.5%, as it assesses the likely impact of new U.S. tariffs on Japan's export-dependent economy. Japanese stocks also took cues from the upbeat outlook on Wall Street, where investors brushed aside recession fears after the U.S. economy unexpectedly contracted in the first quarter. Adding to market optimism, hopes for progress in U.S.-Japan trade talks...
The S&P 500 and Dow reversed early losses, rising 0.1% and 0.3%, respectively, to extend their winning streak to seven days, while the Nasdaq closed 0.1% lower. Investors shrugged off recession fears despite data showing the first quarterly economic contraction in three years. The U.S. economy shrank 0.3% in the first quarter, missing expectations as businesses rushed to import goods before Trump's tariffs took effect, while consumer spending rose a stronger-than-expected 0.7% in March, weak hiring and reduced government spending highlighting the growing economic headwinds. Among stocks,...