Both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 closed 0.2% lower on Thursday as investors weighed central bank actions, corporate earnings, and mixed economic data. The ECB kept rates unchanged for a third consecutive meeting, noting that the inflation outlook remains broadly stable, while the Fed cut rates again but cautioned that further easing in December is not guaranteed. On the data front, Eurozone GDP grew 0.2% in Q3, exceeding expectations, though performance across major economies was uneven, with France and Spain posting strong growth, while Germany and Italy stagnated. Among corporates,...
European stocks closed mostly lower on Wednesday with losses from tech, consumer defensive companies, and miners as markets continued to assess the outlook on global rates and geopolitical risk. The Eurozone's STOXX 50 closed dropped 0.2% to 5,378 and the pan-European STOXX 600 inched below the flatline to 552. The ECB is expected to leave borrowing costs unchanged tomorrow, though updated economic forecasts and guidance on the policy outlook will be closely watched. Geopolitical risks also remained in focus: Israel carried out strikes on Hamas targets in Qatar, while Poland intercepted...
The S&P 500 jumped to a fresh record on Wednesday after a reading on wholesale prices unexpectedly declined, a welcome development for investors clamoring for a Federal Reserve rate cut next week to boost the economy. Oracle shares led the gains with a more than 30% surge following an eye-popping forecast tied to artificial intelligence. The broad market index climbed 0.5%, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.3%. The Nasdaq, alongside the S&P 500, had reached a new all-time intraday high in the trading day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 106 points, or 0.2%. Market sentiment...
The Hang Seng Index surged 262 points, or 1%, to close at 26,200 on Wednesday, rallying for a fourth straight session to a four-year high, driven by gains across all sectors. The index followed Wall Street's advance amid growing bets that recent US labor market weakness will prompt the Fed to cut interest rates by at least 25 basis points next week, with upcoming inflation data set to provide the final clue. In China, the sharpest CPI decline in six months in August rekindled hopes for fresh government support, potentially boosting the trade-in value of consumer goods, while producer...
European stocks have opened higher as a bit of political calm enters the market. The Stoxx 600 Index was up 0.6% in its third session of straight gains. Retailers led the rally as Inditex shares jumped after the Zara-owner said it has seen a strong start to the third quarter. Technology shares were also notable outperformers, with the sector getting a boost from a bullish outlook from US peer Oracle. Chipmaker TSMC also reported a 34% in August sales, adding to optimism that AI is set to be a big growth area for the industry. Meanwhile, France's CAC 40 index climbed 0.6% as President...
Japanese shares rose on Wednesday, tracking Wall Street gains, as traders bet U.S. labor market weakness would prompt a Federal Reserve rate cut next week. The Nikkei 225 rose 0.87%, or 378.38 points, to end at 43,837.67. Traders see a Fed rate cut next Wednesday as certain, with 7% odds on a half-point move, CME's FedWatch Tool showed. A week ago, markets still saw a chance of no cut, but weak payrolls shifted expectations. Producer and consumer inflation data this week are the final tests. In economic data, Japanese manufacturers' sentiment hit a three-year high in September, lifted by...