The European stock markets closed mostly higher in Thursday trading as the Stoxx Europe 600 rose 0.92%, Germany's DAX climbed 1.12%, the FTSE 100 was off 0.69%, France's CAC increased 0.97%, and the Swiss Market Index was up 0.80%. In Germany, price-adjusted production in the manufacturing sector declined 1.9% in June compared with May, according to preliminary data from the Federal Statistical Office, falling to its lowest level since May 2020 during the COVID pandemic. In the UK, house prices rose 0.4% in July from June, the highest monthly rise since the start of the year, according to...
Oil prices rose on Thursday, buoyed by optimism over U.S. trade negotiations that would ease pressure on the global economy and a sharper-than-expected decline in U.S. crude inventories. Brent crude futures gained 21 cents, or 0.3%, to $68.72 a barrel by 0335 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed 22 cents, or 0.3%, to $65.47 per barrel. Both benchmarks were little changed on Wednesday as markets monitored developments in U.S.-European Union trade talks, following President Donald Trump's tariff deal with Japan. The agreement lowers duties on auto imports and spares Tokyo...
Silver price (XAG/USD) extends its losses for the second successive session, trading around $39.10 per troy ounce during the Asian hours on Thursday. The price of Silver struggles due to weakened safe-haven demand, driven by the optimism over further trade deals between the US and key partners. The Financial Times reported that the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) are closing in on a deal that would impose 15% tariffs on EU goods imported into the US. Additionally, US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday a major tariff deal with Japan, which includes a 15% tariff on...
Gold hovered below $3,390 per ounce on Thursday, holding on to losses of over 1% from the previous session, as optimism over further trade deals between the US and key partners weighed on the metal's safe-haven appeal. The European Union is moving toward a trade agreement with Washington that would impose a broad 15% tariff on EU goods entering the US, avoiding a steeper 30% levy scheduled to take effect on August 1. The tariff, which could also apply to cars, would mirror the framework of a similar US-Japan deal. However, some caution remained amid ongoing threats of 15% to 50% tariffs on...
The Japanese yen strengthened past 146 per dollar on Thursday, reaching a two-week high as optimism surrounding the new US-Japan trade deal lifted demand. The agreement sets a 15% tariff on Japanese exports to the US, notably lower than the 25% previously threatened by President Donald Trump. Broader risk sentiment also improved amid reports of progress in US-EU trade talks. On the domestic front, Japan's private sector growth held steady in July, supported by solid services activity, though manufacturing slipped into contraction. However, the yen faces potential downside pressure from...
The US dollar index slipped toward 97 on Thursday, nearing a three-week low, as progress in trade talks with major partners lifted rival currencies. Reports indicated that the US and EU are moving closer to a deal, with discussions centered around a 15% baseline tariff on EU goods and possible exemptions. Earlier this week, Japan agreed to a similar 15% tariff on its exports to the US, a reduction from the 25% previously threatened by President Donald Trump. Additionally, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaled that the current tariff truce with China is likely to be extended beyond its...