European shares closed higher on Tuesday, buoyed by better-than-expected corporate earnings and renewed optimism that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates next month. The pan-European STOXX 600 index edged up 0.15%, with most regional bourses also trading in the green. Earnings season, in full swing, offered some relief for investors concerned about the impact of trade uncertainty on corporate performance. Diageo gained 4.9% after the world's biggest spirits maker forecast flat 2026 sales despite U.S. tariffs and upped its cost-savings target. The stock boosted the food &...
European markets are set to open higher on Friday, as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff regime continues to be in focus. Talks centered on a ceasefire deal for Ukraine also remain in focus for regional traders. London's FTSE 100 is expected to open about 28 points higher at 8,567, according to IG, while Germany's DAX is set to rise 107 points to 22,639. France's CAC 40 is expected to open 26 points higher at 7,970, according to IG. Earlier this week, the EU announced it would retaliate against Trump's 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum with retaliatory measures on 26 billion euros ($28...
Japanese shares rose on Friday as the Bank of Japan is expected to hold rates in March, with most economists seeing a 25-basis-point hike to 0.75% in July. The Nikkei 225 rose 0.84%, or 310.82 points, to end at 37,100.85. A Reuters poll showed about 70% of economists expect the Bank of Japan to raise rates to 0.75% in the third quarter, likely in July, up from 65% in February. Nearly 90% foresee negative effects on Japan's economy from US President Donald Trump's tariff policies. Markets are pricing in a quarter-point hike by September or October, with a 25% chance of another increase by...
Hong Kong stocks rose on Friday, halting a five-day slump, as investors resumed buying tech companies on optimism advances in artificial intelligence (AI) will sustain a bull run this year. Port operator CK Hutchison plunged on concerns about its politically-charged asset sale. The Hang Seng Index increased 0.9 per cent to 23,677.68 as of 10am local time, following a 3.7 per cent loss over the preceding five trading days stoked by worries about trade wars. The Hang Seng Tech Index climbed 0.8 per cent while the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.8 per cent. Alibaba Group Holding rose 2.9...
The Nikkei 225 Index climbed 0.4% to surpass 36,900, while the broader Topix Index edged up 0.15% to 2,702 on Friday, as investors snapped up beaten-down technology stocks. Despite the rebound, market sentiment remained fragile amid escalating global trade tensions. In the latest trade dispute, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 200% tariff on all alcoholic products from the European Union, retaliating against the bloc's 50% tariff on American whiskey. Meanwhile, investors continued to monitor Bank of Japan policy signals, as Governor Kazuo Ueda reaffirmed plans to reduce the...
Asia-Pacific markets are slated to open mixed on Friday after all three benchmarks in the U.S. tumbled over U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff plans. In another sign of a trade war escalation, Trump threatened to enact 200% tariffs on all alcoholic products coming from the European Union in retaliation for the bloc's 50% tariff on whisky. Trump said he would not be changing his mind on a broader group of tariffs set to be implemented on April 2. Australia's S&P/ASX 200started the day 0.4% higher, following losses in the previous session. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225was set to open...