European stocks weakened slightly on Wednesday (October 29, 2025), after several consecutive days of record highs. The STOXX 600 index fell by around -0.3% to 576 points, while the STOXX 50 also corrected from its peak. Investors chose to hold positions while awaiting key data and policy decisions from the Federal Reserve (The Fed). The pharmaceutical sector was one of the laggards, with shares of giants like Novartis plunging by around -4.3% after underwhelming financial results. On the other hand, stocks like HSBC and Nokia actually saw a surge—HSBC rose by around 4.4% after raising its...
Oil fluctuated as investors reacted to rapid-fire moves on trade by the Trump administration, with the US threatening, and then holding off, a broad package of curbs against Colombia. Brent dropped below $78 a barrel, but pared a deeper intraday loss, while West Texas Intermediate was near $74. Following a dispute over migrants, President Donald Trump first ordered tariffs against Bogota, before the White House paused the actions as Colombia agreed to all Trump's conditions. The US dollar, meanwhile, pushed higher, weighing on most commodities. Crude remains higher this...
The Australian Dollar (AUD) ends its three-day winning streak against the US Dollar (USD), with the AUD/USD pair trading subdued following the release of mixed Chinese Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) data on Monday. As close trade partners, China's economic performance significantly impacts the Australian economy. China's NBS Manufacturing PMI fell to 49.1 in January, down from 50.1 in December, missing the market expectation of 50.1. Similarly, the NBS Non-Manufacturing PMI declined to 50.2 in January compared to December's 52.2 reading. The Australian Dollar also failed to gain support...
Gold edges lower in early Asian trade, as investors await the Federal Reserve's rate decision this week, when interest rates are widely expected to be kept on hold. "A change in the tone of the Federal Reserve could affect the direction of the market," says Harbourfront Wealth - Sonora Wealth Group in a note. However, the global economic outlook under the Trump administration could continue supporting gold prices, says its investment advisor Miro Svoboda. Gold typically has an inverse relationship with interest rates, with high rates damping demand for the non-interest-bearing metal. Spot...
Oil fell as President Donald Trump imposed his first set of sanctions and tariffs in a move that highlighted risks to the global economy and to trade. Brent dropped toward $78 a barrel after logging its first weekly decline this year, with West Texas Intermediate above $74. The US imposed tariffs and sanctions on Colombia after it didn't allow military planes carrying deported migrants to land. The administration has also threatened actions on flows of goods from a host of other nations, including Canada and China. Crude remains higher this year, after an earlier round of...
EUR/USD rallies to near the psychological resistance of 1.0500 on Friday as the Hamburg Commercial Bank (HCOB) reported that the Eurozone preliminary Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) grew in January after shrinking in the last two months. Flash HCOB PMI report, compiled by S&P Global, showed that overall business activity expanded. The Composite PMI rose to 50.2 from 49.6 in November. Economists expected the PMI to continue to decline but at a slower pace to 49.7.The kick-off to the new year is mildly encouraging. The private sector is back in cautious growth mode after two...