US stocks were flat to higher on Friday, following record-high closes for both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq the previous day. The three major averages are on track to end the week over 1% higher. Market sentiment remained cautiously optimistic amid hopes that new trade agreements—particularly with the EU—could be finalized before the August 1st deadline, potentially easing tariff rates. Adding to investor relief, President Trump appeared to soften his tone toward Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, helping to ease concerns about the Fed's independence. Health and materials were the top...
European stocks inched higher Thursday afternoon as investors focused on earnings and economic data amid weak global market sentiment. The pan-European Stoxx 600 was up 0.08% by 3:30 p.m. London time, as sectors and major bourses diverged. Insurance stocks led gains, up 1.07%, while retail dipped 0.37%. Shares of British sports retailer JD Sports fell more than 16% after it warned that its annual profits would come in at the lower end of its guidance following a difficult October and subdued consumer spending. Market sentiment was knocked overnight as investors parsed the all-important...
Stocks rose Thursday as investors bought the dip in Nvidia shares that followed its earnings Wednesday night. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 113 points, or 0.3%. The S&P 500 climbed 0.4%, and the Nasdaq Composite also advanced 0.4%. Nvidia reported better-than-expected third-quarter results and issued strong guidance Wednesday after the bell. But shares of the AI-chip juggernaut, which are already up more than 190% this year, initially fell in response during the premarket. Some traders cited the chipmaker's slowing revenue growth from previous quarters as cause for concern. Or...
Europe's main stock indexes fell on Thursday, as sluggish market sentiment with geopolitical tensions boosting some safe-haven demand, while chip stocks were the biggest drag after sector forecaster Nvidia forecast disappointing earnings. The pan-European STOXX 600 index edged down 0.1%, as of 0820 GMT, heading for a fifth straight session of losses amid uncertainty over the escalating Ukraine-Russia conflict and the possible domestic fallout from a U.S. President Donald Trump victory Safe-haven bids for gold and the Swiss franc rose, while the dollar weakened on anticipation of more...
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 Index decreased 282 points or 0.74 percent on Thursday. Losses were driven by IHI (-3.83%), Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding (-3.59%) and East Japan Railway (-3.52%). Biggest rises came from Tokyo Gas (4.96%), M3 (4.40%) and Taiheiyo Cement (4.16%). Source: trading Economics
Hong Kong's shares increased 37 points or 0.2% to 19,735 on Thursday, marking the second session of gains amid strength mainly from the consumer sector. Investors considered remarks from Fed Boston President Susan Collins, who stated that additional interest-rate cuts are necessary, but policymakers should move neither too quickly nor too slowly. At the same time, traders monitored Trump's administration picks, particularly his choice for the Treasury secretary role. In China, stock markets were muted after the PBoC Wednesday held its key lending rates steady at record lows to help the...