European stocks declined on Wednesday, with both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 slipping nearly 0.2%, reversing modest gains from the previous session, with investors continuing to focus on fresh corporate earnings. Hermès fell more than 2% after its results disappointed investors, while L'Oréal dropped 0.8% following second-quarter sales that missed forecasts. HSBC tumbled 4.4% despite reporting revenue growth and announcing a $3 billion share buyback. Adidas sank nearly 8% after posting weaker-than-expected revenue growth and warning that tariffs would raise prices in the US. In contrast,...
The STOXX 50 edged up 0.2% and the STOXX 600 gained 0.6% on Friday, with both indexes on track to close the week approximately 1.8% higher, potentially marking a fifth consecutive weekly advance. Investors continued to weigh the prospects of a de-escalation in the ongoing trade war while keeping a close eye on the Russia-Ukraine peace talks. On Friday, healthcare, telecommunications, and oil & gas sectors led the gains, while technology stocks lagged behind. Meanwhile, traders digested a fresh round of corporate earnings. Shares of Richemont surged around 4% after the luxury goods...
The Nikkei 225 ended almost flat at 37,754 while the broader Topix index edged up 0.05% to 2,741 on Friday, with Japanese shares struggling to gain traction as weak economic data weighed on sentiment. Investor caution prevailed after Japan's economy contracted 0.2% quarter-on-quarter in Q1, marking its first decline in a year and missing expectations for a 0.1% decline. The data reinforced concerns raised by the Bank of Japan earlier this week, which warned of a potential economic moderation due to U.S. trade policy pressures. The Japanese market also mirrored losses in U.S. technology...
Hong Kong stocks fell 214 points, or 0.9%, to 23,241 on Friday, posting a second straight session of losses amid declines across all sectors. Investors were cautious ahead of key Chinese April data due next week, including industrial production, retail sales and home prices. Meanwhile, the People's Bank of China is set to review its benchmark lending rate, which has remained at a record low in recent months to support the struggling economy. Alibaba Group Hlds. plunged 4.9% after reporting disappointing quarterly earnings. Other big losers included Kuaishou (-3.0%), Meituan (-2.7%),...
The Nikkei 225 index fell 0.4% to around 37,600 while the broader Topix index fell 0.1% to 2,736 on Friday, with Japanese shares falling for a third straight session, weighed down by weaker-than-expected economic data and weak guidance from Wall Street. Investor sentiment soured after Japan's GDP contracted 0.2% quarter-on-quarter in the first quarter, marking the country's first economic contraction in a year and below forecasts for a 0.1% decline. The data reinforced concerns raised earlier this week by the Bank of Japan, which warned of a potential economic moderation amid the impact of...
The S&P 500 climbed for a fourth session, adding to this week's rally after the U.S. and China agreed to temporarily slash tariff rates. Treasury yields also fell, providing a tailwind to stocks. The broad market index added 0.4%, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 271.69 points, or 0.7%. Confidence in the immediate outlook for stocks has strengthened in the wake of last weekend's talks between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese officials that appeared to stave off a short-term decline in economic activity and a ratcheting up in...