Asia-Pacific markets mostly fell Tuesday as investors await the outcome of the talks between U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House. Japan's Nikkei 225 benchmark ticked up 0.1%, after closing at a record high in its previous session, while the broader Topix index was flat. In South Korea, the Kospi index fell 0.2% in early trade, while the small-cap Kosdaq declined by 0.33%. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 dropped 0.61% at the open. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 25,230, pointing to a stronger open...
Oil extended a volatile run as investors assessed abrupt shifts in US trade policy, with futures returning to losses following a relief rally on Wednesday. Brent fell near $64 a barrel after a choppy session that saw prices hit a four-year low before ultimately posting the biggest one-day gain since October. With markets in turmoil, President Donald Trump announced a 90-day halt on higher tariffs against dozens of nations, but he also raised duties on China to 125%. "With a lot of uncertainty still existing, the prospect for a major rebound in crude is not...
Gold price (XAU/USD) is printing a stellar return on Thursday, moving around $3,120 at the time of writing. Since Tuesday morning, the precious metal has rallied nearly 5.00%. The main driver for the rally came from United States (US) President Donald Trump, who announced a 90-day pause to higher tariffs on 56 countries and the European Union, which will now be taxed at the 10% baseline rate. Trump also hiked levies on China to 125%, effective immediately, after the Asian country announced plans to retaliate with an 84% tariff on all US imports to take effect on Thursday. Those moves are...
The US dollar index dropped over 1% to 101.5 on Thursday, hitting a six-month low as softer inflation data and easing trade tensions weighed on the currency. Core CPI rose just 2.8% year-on-year — the slowest pace since March 2021 — easing fears that the ongoing tariff battle will severely harm the US economy. This came alongside President Trump's decision to suspend higher tariffs on most US trade partners for 90 days, though China still faces a steep 125% rate. The US continues to apply a 10% baseline tariff broadly, with exemptions for key sectors like semiconductors, pharma, and...
Brent crude oil futures dropped over 2% to below $64 per barrel on Thursday, after a 4.2% gain in the previous session, as escalated trade tensions between the US and China reignited demand concerns. President Trump increased tariffs on China to 125%, just a day after a 104% hike took effect. While he paused new tariffs on other countries for 90 days, the sharp escalation with China, the world's top oil importer, sparked worries about weaker fuel demand. China raised its tariffs on US goods to 84% and is expected to unveil stimulus measures to support sectors like housing and consumption....
Gold futures rise, benefiting from market uncertainty. Futures are up 1.6% at $3,127.20 a troy ounce, nearing its all-time record of $3,201.60 an ounce, set in early April. The precious metal was sharply sold off as investors liquidated positions to cover losses elsewhere after President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcements, but has since mounted a strong rally on the ensuing uncertainty. Trump hiked Chinese tariffs to 125% on Wednesday and announced a 90-day suspension of the so-called reciprocal tariffs for other countries, adding to the confusion and further boosting safe-haven...