Japanese stocks fell sharply on Wednesday: the Nikkei 225 fell 2.5% to 50,212, and the Topix dropped 1.26% to 3,268. The sell-off was led by technology stocks amid growing concerns about AI valuations. Sentiment became even more fragile after Wall Street executives warned of a potential market correction in the next two years, coupled with uncertainty about the direction of US interest rate cuts. Technology was the main drag: SoftBank Group fell 10% due to its heavy exposure to AI and technology investments. Chip and semiconductor equipment stocks also suffered: Advantest (-6%), Lasertec...
The euro hit a five-month high on Tuesday after Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposal, while the dollar rose to a one-week high before weakening against the Canadian dollar following U.S. President Donald Trump's additional tariffs on Canada. Trump doubled his planned tariff on all steel and aluminum imports from Canada to 50% after Ontario province imposed a 25% tariff on electricity sent to the U.S. Ukraine agreed to accept an immediate 30-day ceasefire in the conflict with Russia during talks with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would...
The AUD/USD pair rises to near 0.6300 as the US Dollar (USD) slides due to an uncertain United States (US) economic outlook. The pair benefits from a softer Greenback as investors focus on upcoming inflation data, which could influence Federal Reserve (Fed) policy expectations. However, persistent concerns over trade tensions and global growth continue to cap upside potential for AUD/USD. Australian Dollar strengthens as US Dollar declinesThe US Dollar Index (DXY) fell to new multi-month lows near 103.20, pressured by declining bond yields and speculation about a potential US economic...
Gold (XAU) rallied on Tuesday as the trade war spurred demand for the yellow metal due to its safe-haven appeal. Upbeat United States (US) jobs data was ignored by traders, who continued to pile on Bullion. XAU/USD is trading at $2,917, up over 1%. Sentiment has recently improved as Canada and the US de-escalated the threat of imposing tariffs. Concerns about an economic slowdown in the US exert downward pressure on US Treasury yields and the Greenback, which is a tailwind for Bullion prices. Meanwhile, Trump's trade tariffs on aluminum and steel imports will go into effect on Wednesday....
Oil prices edged slightly higher on Tuesday, helped by weakness in the dollar but capped by mounting concerns over a U.S. slowdown and the impact of tariffs on global economic growth. Brent crude futures settled 28 cents, or 0.4%, higher at $69.56 a barrel after falling as low as $68.63 in early trade. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 22 cents, or 0.3%, to $66.25 a barrel after previous declines as well. Both benchmarks closed 1.5% lower in the previous session. Stocks, which crude prices often follow, were flirting with a correction after slumping on Monday when the...
The US Dollar (DXY) continues its downward spiral on Tuesday, with DXY hovering near 103.40 as trade tensions escalate. United States (US) President Donald Trump's decision to hike tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum to 50% rattled markets, adding further pressure on the Greenback. Meanwhile, in Europe, Germany's Green coalition voiced support for a defense spending bill, providing an additional boost to the Euro (EUR). US equities erased earlier gains, with the Dow Jones down over 1%, reflecting broader market concerns.Trade dispute and policy shiftsThe US-Canada trade rift intensified...