Europe's STOXX 600 closed at a record high on Wednesday, with healthcare stocks leading the way after a U.S.-Pfizer deal reduced uncertainty in the sector, while investors digested the beginning of a U.S. government shutdown. The pan-European STOXX 600 surged 1.2% to log its biggest one-day percentage gain since July 23. Most regional bourses were also trading higher, with London's FTSE 100 at a record high. Healthcare stocks jumped 5.4%, marking their biggest one-day performance since November 2008. On Tuesday, Pfizer agreed to lower prescription drug prices in the U.S. Medicaid programme...
European markets opened higher Wednesday as traders gear up for a quarterly earnings report from chipmaker Nvidia The Nasdaq-listed stock has become a bellwether for the global technology sector, particularly regarding the progress of the artificial intelligence boom, as its major corporate customers include Microsoft, Google, Meta and Amazon Its value has soared in recent years, giving it the biggest weighting in the S&P 500 and an outsized influence on U.S. market performance. The company will report after U.S. markets close on Wednesday. France's CAC 40 index rebounded 0.4%...
The Nikkei 225 Index rose 0.3% to close at 42,520 while the broader Topix Index slipped 0.07% to 3,070 on Wednesday, with Japanese shares showing mixed performances as investors awaited Nvidia's earnings report, expected to offer fresh insight into the durability of the artificial intelligence trade. Sentiment was also pressured by political uncertainty after US President Donald Trump's unprecedented removal of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, a move that heightened concerns about the US central bank's independence. Domestically, investors looked ahead to key economic data due later...
The Hang Seng Index opened 101 points higher, or 0.39%, at 25,626 points. The China Enterprises Index rose by 33 points, or 0.36%, to 9,181, while the Hang Seng Tech Index advanced 32 points, or 0.55%, to 5,814. Technology stocks demonstrated steady performance, with Tencent up 0.5%, Xiaomi Group rising 0.7%, and Kuaishou gaining 0.6%. Meanwhile, Alibaba, Meituan, and JD.com remained unchanged. Financial stocks showed mixed results. HSBC Holdings gained 0.7%, AIA Group rose 0.3%, but Ping An Insurance dropped 0.7%, and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing added 0.5%. Automotive stocks...
Nikkei Slips 0.1%, Dragged by Energy, Videogame Stocks Japanese stocks are lower as uncertainty over the U.S. tariff impact on earnings continues. Energy and videogame stocks are leading the decline. Eneos Holdings is down 1.4% and Nintendo is 1.5% lower. USD/JPY is at 147.49, compared with 147.76 as of Tuesday's Tokyo stock market close. Investors are closely watching any developments on the war in Ukraine as well as on the potential leadership election for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in Japan. The Nikkei Stock Average is down 0.1% at 42358.82. Source: Bloomberg
Asia-Pacific markets mostly fell on Wednesday after Wall Street gained overnight. India's markets will also be in focus as the U.S. tariffs take effect. The country currently faces additional tariffs of up to 50% on exports to the U.S., after the Trump administration escalated tariff threats in response to its substantial imports of Russian energy. Japan's Nikkei 225 slipped 0.17%, and the Topix lost 0.3%. South Korea's Kospi declined 0.17% and the small-cap Kosdaq lost 0.16%. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 added 0.23%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 25,626, pointing to a...