European stocks opened lower on Wednesday (November 5th), reflecting a global downturn amid growing concerns over sky-high tech valuations. The pan-European Stoxx 600 Index was down 0.4% at 8:20 a.m. in London (3:20 a.m. ET), with most major bourses and sectors in the red. The UK's FTSE 500 Index opened 0.1% lower, Germany's DAX 0.7% lower, France's CAC 40 0.4% lower, and Italy's FTSE MIB 0.3% lower. European tech companies led the decline, with the Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index down 1.2% following a sharp sell-off in U.S. tech stocks on Tuesday. The sluggish sentiment seen in...
The Australian dollar strengthened to around $0.661 on Thursday, extending its five-session rally to hit its highest level since November last year, fueled by optimism over latest global trade developments. The US and EU are reportedly close to a trade deal that would impose 15% tariffs on most imports while waiving duties on select items, according to European Commission officials. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also confirmed that US and Chinese officials will meet in Stockholm next week for further talks. These developments follow a recent US–Japan tariff agreement that helped ease...
Gold edges higher in the early Asian session on possible position adjustments after front-month gold futures snapped a three-day winning streak overnight. Speculative positioning in the precious metal appears to be elevated though not extreme, while retail demand seems to be slower, two members of Sucden Financial's research team say in a commentary. As such, gold could remain in a consolidation phase until a clearer dovish signal from the Fed emerges, the members add. Spot gold is little changed at $3,390.51/oz. Source: Dow Jones Newswires
Oil steadied after a string of losses, with investors looking to US trade talk progress and low inventory levels. Brent crude traded below $69 a barrel after four sessions of declines, with West Texas Intermediate above $65. US President Donald Trump said he would set tariffs of 15% to 50% ahead of an Aug. 1 deadline for trade talks. The 15% levy rate was set for Japan on Wednesday, while the European Union is progressing toward a similar agreement. "There may be mild buoyancy in crude from a less-dismal demand-side assumption as markets express relief on...
The EUR/USD pair strengthened during the North American session, rising 0.16%, as rumors grew that the United States and the European Union (EU) would soon sign a deal similar to the one signed between Washington and Tokyo on Tuesday. At the time of writing, the pair was trading above 1.1770, after hitting a daily low of 1.1710. Trade news in the US was the main headline, keeping investors on edge as market sentiment fluctuated between risk-on and risk-off. The trade deal between Japan and the US, under which Japan would pay a 15% tariff on US imports, triggered the initial decline in...
Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday (July 23rd) as investors assessed trade developments between the European Union and the US after President Donald Trump reached a tariff deal, opening a new chapter with Japan. Brent crude futures closed 8 cents, or 0.12%, lower at $68.51 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 6 cents, or 0.09%, to $65.25 a barrel. On Wednesday, European Union officials said they were moving toward a trade deal with Washington that would result in a broad 15% tariff on EU goods imported into the US, avoiding the higher 30% tariffs scheduled to...