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 stock markets opened largely unchanged. The Stoxx 600 traded flat, but the energy sector was supported by Shell, which rose around 2% after reporting a recovery in its oil and gas trading performance. The CAC 40 was also stable, awaiting political clarity in Paris. President Emmanuel Macron gave outgoing Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu 48 hours for final negotiations with parties to prevent the crisis from deepening. On the funding side, French 10-year bonds remained under pressure. Overall, European stocks remained near new highs as they awaited news from France and new catalysts...
Japanese stocks closed Tuesday with mixed results due to profit-taking after a strong rally fueled by stimulus hopes under Sanae Takaichi. The Topix edged up 0.1% to 3,227.91, while the Nikkei was nearly flat at 47,950.88. Of the 1,672 Topix constituents, 803 rose, 796 fell, and 73 were unchanged. According to Anna Wu (VanEck), the market is "just taking a breather" after yesterday's 4.8% surge—a common pattern following event-driven moves. The yen's weakness—holding above 150 per dollar—has provided a boost to exporters, particularly automotive companies. Toyota rose 1.7% and was the...
Japanese stocks rise due to growing hopes that newly elected ruling-party leader Sanae Takaichi will take more aggressive fiscal steps to stimulate the economy. Heavy-industry and real-estate stocks lead gains. IHI rises 5.3% and Sumitomo Realty & Development is 4.6% higher. USD/JPY is at 150.43, compared with 150.13 as of Monday's Tokyo stock market close. Investors are closely watching any details of Takaichi's policy steps. The Nikkei Stock Average is up 1.1% at 48470.54. Source : Marketwatch
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 extended record closes on Monday, rising 0.4% and 0.8%, fueled by AI-related dealmaking that boosted investor sentiment despite the US government shutdown entering its second week. The Dow Jones slipped 65 points, dragged down by Home Depot and Verizon. AMD surged 23.7% after announcing a multiyear deal to supply AI chips to OpenAI, with an option for the company to acquire up to 10% of AMD, fueling optimism for broader M&A activity. Comerica jumped 13.7% following a $10.9 billion all-stock acquisition agreement with Fifth Third Bancorp. Investors largely...
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed at record highs on Monday, spurred by optimism about increased mergers and acquisitions activity after two major deals were announced. The broad market S&P 500 gained 0.36% to end the day at 6,740.28, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq advanced 0.71% to finish at 22,941.67. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, however, fell 63.31 points, or 0.14%, to close at 46,694.97, weighed down by a decline in shares of Sherwin-Williams and Home Depot. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq saw a boost from AMD jumping almost 24% after the company reached a deal with Sam...