US stocks were little changed on Tuesday, with the three major indexes hovering around the flatline as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of a potential government shutdown that could disrupt the release of key labor data later this week. The government faces the risk of shutting down tomorrow if Democrats and Republicans fail to reach a deal today, putting Friday's payrolls report at risk. Traders also awaited the JOLTS job openings data due later in the day. Energy and communication services were the worst performing sectors while utilities outperformed. Microsoft (-0.6%), Amazon...
US stocks rose on Wednesday (September 24), paring losses from the previous session as the market assessed the prospects for returns on large investments in artificial intelligence and the outlook for long-term US interest rates. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 rose 0.3%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 100 points. Companies in the AI sector rose sharply after Alibaba announced plans to increase AI spending beyond the $50 billion initially promised. The Chinese tech giant's depositary receipts (DRPs) jumped 8%, while Nvidia and MetaTrader 5 each rose nearly 1%. Meanwhile,...
The Hang Seng Index rose 1.4% at 26,518.65 in Hong Kong. The move follows the previous session's decrease of 0.7%. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. contributed the most to the index gain and had the largest move, increasing 9.2%. Today, 49 of 88 shares rose, while 36 fell; 2 of 4 sectors were higher, led by commerce and industry stocks. Source: Bloomberg
European stocks were lower on Wednesday, with the STOXX 50 falling 0.2% and the STOXX 600 losing 0.3%, as investors remained cautious following remarks from Fed Chair Powell the previous day. Powell highlighted persistent risks in both the labor market and inflation, while also noting that equity prices appear relatively high. Geopolitical tensions also stayed in focus, with US President Trump escalating his rhetoric against Russia. "I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form", Trump posted on social...
The Nikkei 225 rose 0.3% to close at 45,630 while the Topix gained 0.23% to 3,170 on Wednesday, reversing losses from earlier in the session, with technology shares driving gains. Japanese equities also drew support from foreign inflows and sustained global optimism around artificial intelligence. On the data front, September PMI figures showed manufacturing remained in contraction despite forecasts for growth, while services expanded at a slower pace. Investors now await Tokyo inflation data and the Bank of Japan's July meeting minutes for policy clues. Meanwhile, US markets retreated...
Stocks in Hong Kong edged up 27 points, or 0.1%, to 26,186 in Wednesday morning trade, trying to reverse losses from the prior two sessions as most sectors advanced. Bargain hunting, particularly in property stocks, helped lift the market from its near two-week low. Investors were also encouraged by modest gains in China's markets after a drop in the previous session, following a press briefing by top financial regulators, including the PBoC governor, that offered no new support measures. However, overnight losses on Wall Street limited gains after remarks from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome...