Asia-Pacific markets declined on Wednesday, following a decline on Wall Street, which was driven by concerns about the valuations of artificial intelligence (AI) stocks. Shares of Palantir, a major player in the AI sector, fell about 8%, despite the company reporting better-than-expected quarterly results. This decline reflects investor caution regarding AI stocks, which are considered overvalued, despite their strong growth. Major stock indices in Asia showed declines, with Australia's S&P/ASX 200 down 0.19%, and Japan's Nikkei 225 down 0.25%. Meanwhile, South Korea's Kospi fell...
The Japanese Yen (JPY) edges higher against the retreating US Dollar (USD) during the Asian session on Wednesday and moves away from a one-week low touched the previous day. The upside for the JPY, however, seems limited as traders might opt to move to the sidelines ahead of key central bank events. The Federal Reserve (Fed) will announce its decision at the end of a two-day meeting later today. This will be followed by the Bank of Japan (BoJ) policy update on Thursday. Given that both central banks are expected to keep interest rates steady, investors will look for cues about the policy...
Gold hovered around $3,320 an ounce on Wednesday, staying near a three-week low as easing trade tensions reduced the metal's safe-haven appeal. The US–EU agreement, which imposed a 15% tariff on most European goods, helped avert a broader trade conflict. With additional ongoing talks with Canada, South Korea, and others, investors are increasingly optimistic that further escalations can be avoided. Meanwhile, the US and China are continuing discussions to extend a tariff truce set to expire in two weeks, with President Trump expected to make the final decision on any extension. Investors...
The Australian dollar edged higher to above $0.651 on Wednesday, ending its four-session losing streak, as a weaker US dollar outweighed soft domestic inflation figures. The greenback eased ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy decision, with expectations for a rate hold, though markets remained cautious about any signals hinting at a possible cut in September. In Australia, consumer prices rose at the slowest pace in over four years in Q2, with headline CPI at 0.7% QoQ and 2.1% YoY, and core inflation easing to a three-year low of 2.7% YoY—both below forecasts and within the RBA's 2–3%...
Gold is steady ahead of the FOMC decision due later today. While the FOMC is widely expected to leave rates unchanged, the focus will be on whether Fed Chair Powell offers any hint of a September rate cut in his press conference. Investors are turning their attention to the FOMC meeting and a slew U.S. economic data, DHF Capital's Bas Kooijman says in an email. A dovish shift in Fed rhetoric or any unexpected softness in data could support the precious metal, the CEO and asset manager says. Spot gold is little changed at $3,326.78/oz. Source: Marketwatch
Oil held the biggest gain in six weeks after US President Donald Trump reiterated he may impose additional economic penalties on Russia unless a truce is reached with Ukraine. West Texas Intermediate traded near $69 a barrel after closing 3.8% higher in the previous session. Brent settled above $72. Trump warned of "tariffs and stuff" if a ceasefire isn't agreed in 10 days and said he wasn't concerned about the impact on the market, suggesting the US could ramp up production. "I don't even worry about it," he told reporters aboard Air Force One on Tuesday as he returned to...