The S&P 500 rose 0.4% on Friday (July 25), notching its fifth consecutive record close—its longest streak in more than a year—while the Nasdaq 100 gained 0.2% after hitting an intraday high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 208 points as investors digested a wave of trade developments and corporate earnings. Optimism surrounding trade talks contributed to the rally, with President Trump scheduled to meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday amid hopes of a US-EU deal. Deals were also reached with Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines ahead of the...
Hong Kong shares rose 56 points, or 0.2%, to 23,691 during the morning session on Thursday (May 15), marking a second straight day of gains. Traders reacted to Beijing's decision to lift export curbs on rare earths and military-use technology for 28 U.S. entities, effective Wednesday, allowing exporters to apply for licenses for a 90-day period. China also temporarily lifted trade and investment bans on 17 U.S. companies, which it called a potential step to restart bilateral ties. Locally, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said Hong Kong's interest rates may remain low due to ample liquidity,...
The Nikkei 225 index fell 1% to around 37,700 while the broader Topix index fell 0.7% to 2,745 on Thursday, with Japanese shares dropping for a second straight session as the recent market rally fueled by the U.S.-China trade deal lost momentum. Analysts noted that while easing global trade tensions offered some relief, the broader outlook for corporate earnings and economic growth remained largely unchanged. Investors were also watching developments in a potential U.S.-Japan trade agreement, with Tokyo aiming to finalize a deal by June. In corporate news, Sony Group tumbled 4.7% after...
Asia-Pacific markets fell Thursday (15/5), after mostly gaining in the previous session on easing U.S.-China trade tensions. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 0.90%, while the Topix lost 0.75%. South Korea's Kospi declined 0.29% while the small-cap Kosdaq slipped 0.37%. Australia's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.24%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped 0.42%, while mainland China's CSI 300 was flat. "While markets have largely priced in peak tariff-related macro stress, we remain wary of a second wave of volatility, this time driven by fiscal policy uncertainty and weakening...
US stocks ended mixed on Wednesday as investors weighed evolving trade policies and recent strength in the tech sector. The S&P 500 added 0.1% after erasing its losses for the year, while the Dow slipped 89 points and the Nasdaq 100 rose 0.7%, boosted by gains in major chipmakers. Nvidia climbed 3% following reports of AI chip shipments to Saudi Arabia, and AMD jumped 4% after unveiling a $6 billion share buyback plan. The broader AI rally fueled a 17% surge in Super Micro Computer, helping lift overall market sentiment. Optimism was further supported by a temporary U.S.-China tariff...
European stocks closed slightly lower, halting the strong momentum for equities from the week as markets took profits and continued to assess risks to the European corporate outlook from pending tariffs by the US. The Eurozone's STOXX 50 lost 0.3% to close at 5,400 and the pan-European STOXX 600 pulled back 0.4% to 542. Consumer discretionary extended their volatile momentum to record losses, with LVMH and Kering dropping 2% and 3%, while L'Oreal slumped 3.3%. In turn, healthcare continued to decline as US President Trump was due to pass policy to cap drug prices, with Sanofi and Bayer...