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 Nikkei 225 Index dropped 0.5% to around 39,439, while the broader Topix Index fell 0.1% to 2,816 during Thursday morning trading, as traders remained cautious after US President Trump signaled his intention to impose a 25% tariff on Japan. The index hit its lowest level in over three weeks, after being flat in the previous session. Caution was also built ahead of Japan's upcoming Upper House election on July 20. The latest trade data further pressured sentiment, as the trade surplus narrowed in June compared to the same month last year. Exports unexpectedly fell, while imports rose...
Stocks in the US closed higher on Wednesday after President Trump denied plans to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, though he stopped short of ruling it out entirely. The S&P 500 climbed 0.3%, while the Dow rose 231 points and the Nasdaq 100 edged up 0.1% to mark fresh record close. Markets had initially dipped on reports suggesting Trump was weighing Powell's removal, compounding investor concerns over persistent inflation and ongoing trade tensions. June's flat Producer Price Index provided some relief after Tuesday's hotter-than-expected CPI reading, which showed the fastest...
US stocks edged higher Wednesday afternoon after President Trump denied plans to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, though he stopped short of ruling it out entirely. The S&P 500 rose 0.2%, rebounding from earlier losses, while the Dow gained 150 points and the Nasdaq 100 added 0.1%. Markets initially dropped on reports that Trump was considering Powell's removal, adding to existing anxiety over sticky inflation and trade tensions. The Producer Price Index came in flat for June, offering some relief after Tuesday's hotter-than-expected CPI report, which showed the fastest annual...
The Hang Seng Index fell 72 points, or 0.3%, to close at 24,518 on Wednesday (July 16th), down from a four-month high reached earlier in the session as traders booked profits. The decline ended a four-day winning streak, with sentiment weighed down by falling US futures prices following June inflation data, which indicated that tariffs may push prices higher and dampen expectations of a Fed rate cut. Meanwhile, President Trump said he may impose tariffs on pharmaceutical products by the end of July, with levies on semiconductors likely to follow soon after. He predicted these targeted...
The STOXX 50 was down 0.6% and the STOXX 600 slipped 0.3% on Wednesday, as investors focused on a fresh wave of corporate earnings. ASML Holding shares tumbled more than 6% after the company warned of no growth potential in 2026, citing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, including the risk of tariffs on new systems and parts shipped to the US and potential retaliatory measures from other countries. Despite these concerns, ASML beat Q2 estimates on both revenue and earnings. Other notable decliners included AstraZeneca (-1.3%), Siemens Energy (-1.9%), and Mercedes-Benz...