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...
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 - The Nikkei index moved flat at 47,937.70, as gains in heavy industry and pharmaceutical stocks offset the decline in chip companies. The IHI rose 4.3% and Daiichi Sankyo strengthened 3.5%, while Tokyo Electron fell 1.6% and Advantest weakened 1.2%. The weaker yen also provided support to the market, as it typically benefits exporters. USD/JPY was at 152.25, up sharply from 150.69 at Tuesday's close, thus boosting sentiment for export-related sectors. Investors' focus is now on the details of potential policy steps Sanae Takaichi may take after being elected LDP...
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Wednesday, breaking ranks from Wall Street losses, after the World Bank raised the region's growth forecast Tuesday. That comes after a summer that saw U.S. tariff-led uncertainty rock the global economy. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 was little changed, while the the Topix added 0.62%. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 fell 0.3%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 27,165, higher than its Tuesday close of 26,957.77. Mainland China and South Korean markets are closed for the holidays. The Bank of Thailand and Reserve Bank of New Zealand are set...
US stocks retreated from record highs on Tuesday as investors weighed the ongoing government shutdown against hopes for AI-driven growth. The S&P 500 fell 0.4% for the first time in 8 days, the Nasdaq lost 0.8%, and the Dow fell 99 points, pressured by a steep sell-off in Oracle shares after weaker-than-expected cloud margin reports. Tesla slipped 4.4% after unveiling a low-cost Model Y, Ford tumbled 7.6% over a supplier fire, and gold futures surged past $4,000 per ounce as investors sought safe havens. Economically sensitive sectors, including homebuilding, airlines, and transport,...
European stock markets edged mostly lower on Tuesday, as investors kept tabs on ongoing political turbulence in France and the United States that threatened to dampen enthusiasm around artificial intelligence dealmaking. The pan-European Stoxx 600 slipped by 0.2% and the Dax in Germany fell by 0.1%. The FTSE 100 in the United Kingdom and the CAC 40 in France were both mostly flat. The CAC 40 fell sharply on Monday on news of a surprise resignation of the country's new Prime Minister, Sebastien Lecornu. Two days of last-minute discussions between the outgoing Lecornu and members of several...
The S&P 500 rose slightly on Tuesday as Wall Street looked for more developments out of Washington on the current U.S. government shutdown that is now in its second week. The broad market index climbed 0.1%, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded around the flatline. Hopes that the government would reopen on Monday were dashed after the Senate for a fifth time failed to pass a House bill that would have funded the government through Nov. 21. The chamber voted mostly along party lines. At least eight Democrats need to join Republicans to meet the...