The S&P 500 rose 0.3% to a fresh record high on Thursday, while the Nasdaq gained 0.6% and the Dow Jones hovered near the flatline. Investors kept a cautious eye on the ongoing US government shutdown, though markets largely shrugged off concerns, awaiting further developments and hoping the stalemate proves short-lived. Technology led sector gains after OpenAI raised $6.6 billion in a share sale valuing the company at $500 billion and announced an agreement with South Korean chipmakers. Industrials, energy and consumer discretionary stocks also advanced, while real estate lagged. Among...
The S&P 500 closed at a fresh record high after an afternoon boost pushed stocks solidly into the green as traders shook off weak private employment data earlier in the day. A big jobs report now looms over the market, with traders wanting a figure Friday that bolsters rate cut chances without causing a scare about a recession. The broad market S&P 500 finished up 0.83% at 6,502.08, while the Nasdaq Composite settled up 0.98% at 21,707.69. The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished up 350.06 points, or 0.77%, at 45,621.29. The ADP private payrolls report showed an increase of 54,000...
European stocks closed firmly higher on Thursday, with the STOXX 50 and the STOXX 600 adding 0.4% and 0.6%, respectively, extending the rebound from the prior session as long-dated yields edged lower and eased concerns of higher credit costs. Yields were further pressured by pessimistic labor market data in the US following a batch of pessimistic signals about the labor market in the world's largest economy, consolidating bets of incoming rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Travel stocks were among the weakest performers, with Jet2 plunging 12.5 after cutting its winter 2025–26 capacity...
The three major averages in the US swing between small gains and losses on Thursday, as traders digest the latest batch of economic data and what it means for the Fed's plans. The US private sector added only 54K jobs in August, reinforcing signs that the labor market is losing momentum and strengthening expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut this month. Initial jobless claims also rose to 237K, the highest in nearly two months. This followed Wednesday's weaker-than-expected JOLTS report. On the other hand, the ISM Services PMI rose more-than-expected to a six-month high. Investors are...
The Hang Seng Index fell 285 points, or 1.1%, to close at 25,058 on Thursday (September 4), weakening for a third session amid widespread weakness. The index followed mainland Chinese stocks lower after reports that China was considering cooling measures for the stock market, including easing some restrictions on short selling. The news triggered profit-taking after a 10% surge in Chinese stocks in August, driven by record margin financing and intensive trading, which raised concerns about overheating. The technology index slumped 1.9%, dragged down by a decline in Cambricon shares, due to...
Both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 hovered around the flatline on Thursday, as bond market pressures eased and yields edged lower. Traders remained focused on upcoming US labour market data to gauge the Federal Reserve's next move, with a rate cut this month now almost fully priced in. Trade policy developments also drew attention after President Trump urged the Supreme Court to swiftly hear his appeal to overturn last week's ruling that declared most tariffs illegal. Travel stocks were among the weakest performers, with Jet2 plunging 13.8% after cutting its winter 2025–26 capacity outlook...