European shares were flat on Wednesday, with gains in heavyweight healthcare stocks offsetting the decline in the broader market, as investors fretted over a potential delay in the closely-watched U.S. jobs data. The pan-European STOXX 600 held steady at 557.9 points by 0711 GMT, after posting its third successive monthly gain in September. Local bourses were mixed. Germany's DAX was down 0.5%, while the UK's FTSE 100 climbed 0.2% to an all-time high. Healthcare stocks jumped 2.7% after Pfizer and U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said they had cut a deal in which the drugmaker...
US stocks were mixed on Thursday as markets assessed developments to domestic trade policy against major tech earnings. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 edged slightly higher, just enough to retest record highs, while the Dow fell over 300 points. Alphabet jumped 4% after the tech giant posted better than expected earnings for the June quarter and said it would increase AI-spending by $10 billion this year. On the other hand, Tesla slumped 7% after missing earnings and revenues estimates, while CEO Musk warned of "rough quarters" ahead due to lower sales in Europe, tariffs, and the end...
The Hang Seng rose 129 points or 0.5% to close at 25,667 on Thursday, extending strength for the fifth session while holding at its highest level since early November 2021. Gains were almost broad-based, led by financial and property stocks, as global equities continued their upward momentum. Optimism mounted that the U.S. may pursue additional trade deals after securing several pacts earlier this week, including with Japan. In China, stocks rose ahead of next week's third round of trade talks with the U.S. in Stockholm, aimed at extending a tariff truce. However, bullish momentum was...
Hong Kong stocks maintained their momentum on Thursday, lifted by optimism over US-EU tariff negotiations and a revival in global trade diplomacy. The Hang Seng Index rose 129.11 points, or 0.5%, to close at 25,667.18, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI) added 16.42 points, or 0.2%, to 9,257.62. Investor sentiment improved after reports that the US and European Union are moving closer to a trade agreement that would impose a broad 15% tariff on EU imports, replacing the steeper 30% duty set to take effect on August 1. The deal, which may include automobiles, would mirror a...
Japan's Topix hits record high as Asia-Pacific stocks climb on trade deal optimism Japan's Topix closes at a record high as region ends trading day largely in the green Asia markets ended the day largely in the green. Japan's Topix jumped 1.75% to close at a record high of 2,977.55. The country's benchmark Nikkei 225 added 1.59% to end the trading day at 41,826.34. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.21% to 3,190.45, though the small-cap Kosdaq slipped 0.45% to close at 809.89. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.32% to close at 8,709.4. Mainland China's CSI 300 rose 0.71% to 4,149.04. Source:...
European stock markets traded higher on Thursday, with the STOXX 50 climbing nearly 1% and the broader STOXX 600 advancing 0.6%, buoyed by growing trade optimism after reports that the EU and US are nearing a deal to impose 15% tariffs on select European imports while waiving duties on others. Investors are also closely watching the European Central Bank's policy announcement later today, with interest rates widely expected to remain unchanged following a series of cuts, as policymakers navigate ongoing trade uncertainty. On the corporate front, Deutsche Bank shares jumped 6% after the...