European shares closed flat on Wednesday, surrendering early session gains, as healthcare stocks felt the pinch from U.S. President Donald Trump's latest threat to impose higher tariffs on pharmaceutical imports. The pan-European STOXX 600 index closed 0.06% lower, breaking its two-day winning streak despite starting the session on a positive note. Healthcare stocks bore the brunt of the selling pressure. The sector index plunged 2.8% to its lowest level in more than three months after Trump unveiled a graduated tariff plan targeting pharmaceutical imports that could see levies on the...
Oil steadied after the US and European Union agreed on a trade deal ahead of President Donald Trump's tariff deadline of Aug. 1. Brent was above $68 a barrel after closing 1.1% lower on Friday, and West Texas Intermediate traded near $65. The bloc faces 15% levies on most of its exports, although Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen appeared to differ on some key details of the agreement. Trump's trade policies and threats of retaliation from targeted countries have raised concerns about the outlook for global economic growth, weighing on oil and other commodities....
Gold steadied after the US and European Union announced they had reached a tariff agreement, staving off some concerns about a potentially painful trade war between the economies. Bullion traded near $3,330 an ounce — following a 0.4% weekly loss — as investors weighed the outlook for the global economy in the wake of the deal, which will see the EU face 15% levies on most of its exports including automobiles. Still, there are lingering questions about the scope of the pact, including details over the impact on metals — signaling potential challenges when it comes to implementation. With...
Oil prices weakened on Friday (July 25th) and closed at a three-week low as traders worried about negative economic news from the US and China and signs of increasing supply. The losses were limited by optimism that a US trade deal could boost global economic growth and future oil demand. Brent crude futures fell 74 cents, or 1.1%, to $68.44, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 87 cents, or 1.3%, to $65.16. This was the lowest closing level for Brent since July 4th and WTI since June 30th. For the week, Brent fell about 1% while WTI fell about 3%. European Commission...
Gold prices weakened on Friday, weighed down by a stronger U.S. dollar and signs of progress in U.S.-EU trade negotiations, which have dampened demand for safe-haven assets. Spot gold fell 0.9% to $3,336.01 an ounce at 2:01 PM ET (18:01 GMT). U.S. gold futures closed down 1.1% at $3,335.6. The U.S. dollar index, open a new tab, rebounded from a more than two-week low, making bullion more expensive for overseas buyers. "The Japan deal is significant, and there are hopes for a U.S.-EU deal before the August 1 deadline. That's reducing safe-haven demand as rising risk appetite drives capital...
Oil prices weakened on Friday due to negative economic news from the United States and China and signs of rising supply, despite optimism that a U.S. trade deal could boost global economic growth and future oil demand. Brent crude futures fell 32 cents, or 0.5%, to $68.86 a barrel at 11:02 a.m. EDT (15:02 GMT), while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 47 cents, or 0.7%, to $65.56. This caused Brent prices to fall about 1% for the week and WTI to fall about 3%. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday there was a 50-50 chance, or even less, that the U.S. would reach a trade...