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...
The Hang Seng jumped 298 points or 1.2% to close at 24,475 on Wednesday, rising for the fourth straight session and notching its highest level in over three months. The rally tracked strong gains on Wall Street, as the U.S.-brokered truce between Iran and Israel appeared to hold, with both nations signaling an end to their air strikes, at least for now. Meanwhile, Fed Chair Powell reiterated there's no need to rush rate cuts, though some analysts believe easing could come sooner if inflation remains contained. In China, Beijing unveiled new guidelines to boost consumption through financial...
European stocks edged higher on Wednesday as investors looked to a ceasefire between Israel and Iran as a sign of easing tensions. The pan-European STOXX 600 index (.STOXX), was up 0.2% at 542.12 points, as of 0704 GMT. Other major regional indexes were also trading higher, except for Spain's (.IBEX), which fell 0.3%. A truce brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump between Iran and Israel appeared to be holding on Wednesday, a day after both countries signaled that their air war was over, at least for now. Trump's Middle East envoy said late Tuesday that talks between the U.S. and Iran...
Japanese stocks rose after the close on Wednesday (6/25), as gains in the Real Estate, Banking and Textile sectors boosted shares. At the close of trading in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 rose 0.40% to hit a fresh 3-month high. The best performers on the Nikkei 225 were Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd. (TYO:6976), which rose 7.16% or 167.00 points to trade at 2,501.00 at the close. Meanwhile, Pacific Metals Co., Ltd. (TYO:5541) rose 4.08% or 66.00 points to close at 1,685.00 and SUMCO Corp. (TYO:5541) gained 4.08% or 66.00 points to close at 1,685.00. (TYO:3436) rose 3.93% or 41.50 points to close at...
Hong Kong shares rose 205 points, or 0.9%, to 24,385 in early trade on Wednesday (6/25), marking a fourth straight session of gains and maintaining a two-week high. The gains followed an overnight rally on Wall Street, which was driven by optimism that a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran would hold. Investors also cheered remarks by Fed Chairman Jerome Powell that the central bank is committed to containing inflation and will likely keep interest rates steady until the impact of tariffs becomes clearer. Sentiment was further supported by a third straight day of gains in mainland...
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Wednesday, as investors digested a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, as well as fresh comments from the U.S. Federal Reserve. There was growing optimism that a truce between Israel and Iran brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump is likely to hold. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was flat. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.31%, while the small-cap Kosdaq fell 0.21%. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose 0.11%, while the Topix fell 0.13%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 0.66% and mainland China's CSI 300 was flat. U.S. futures were nearly flat. Futures tied...