US stocks were little changed on Tuesday, with the three major indexes hovering around the flatline as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of a potential government shutdown that could disrupt the release of key labor data later this week. The government faces the risk of shutting down tomorrow if Democrats and Republicans fail to reach a deal today, putting Friday's payrolls report at risk. Traders also awaited the JOLTS job openings data due later in the day. Energy and communication services were the worst performing sectors while utilities outperformed. Microsoft (-0.6%), Amazon...
The Nikkei 225 jumped 2.15% to close at 42,718, while the broader Topix Index rose 1.39% to 3,066 in post-holiday trading on Tuesday (August 12th), with both benchmarks hitting new record highs thanks to strong corporate performance and improving global trade sentiment. The US-China trade truce was extended for 90 days, easing tensions and giving negotiators more time to finalize a deal. Domestically, investors continued to assess the Bank of Japan's policy outlook, with board members still divided over the timing and pace of future interest rate hikes. In corporate news, SoftBank Group...
Hong Kong stocks fell 84 points, or 0.3%, to 24,826 in a volatile Tuesday morning session, reversing the previous day's modest gains. Investors were cautious following negative sentiment on Wall Street overnight, ahead of key US inflation data, with the CPI figures due today and the PPI scheduled for Thursday. The decline was led by technology and consumer discretionary stocks, while property stocks were muted despite the Beijing government lifting restrictions on home purchases in the suburbs. Further declines were capped by the latest tariff developments, after President Trump signed an...
The Nikkei 225 jumped 2% to above 41,600, while the broader Topix Index rose 0.9% to 3,052 in post-holiday trading on Tuesday (August 12), with both benchmarks hitting all-time highs amid optimism over global trade. The U.S.-China trade truce was extended for 90 days, easing tensions and giving negotiators more time to reach a deal. Domestically, investors weighed the Bank of Japan's policy outlook as board members remained divided over the timing and pace of future interest rate hikes In corporate news, SoftBank Group surged more than 7% after committing about $32.7 billion to OpenAI and...
Stocks in the US slipped on Monday as traders braced for a busy week of economic data and geopolitical developments. The S&P 500 closed 0.2% lower, the Dow Jones fell 199 points, and the Nasdaq 100 fell 0.3% after last week's strong gains that saw the tech-heavy index notch consecutive record closes. Investors are eyeing July's CPI on Tuesday and PPI on Thursday, key inputs for the Fed's September rate decision, with markets pricing in a high chance of a cut. Trade tensions lingered as President Trump extended a 90-day pause on tariffs for Chinese goods and confirmed a deal requiring...
US President Donald Trump, in his speech on Monday night (August 11th), expressed his determination to "liberate" Washington D.C. from crime, violence, and social problems that he said had been left unchecked for too long. Trump said he would deploy federal troops to restore security and order to the capital, while ensuring the city is once again safe and orderly for its citizens. In his speech, Trump also highlighted the growing problem of homelessness in the downtown area. He plans to relocate the homeless to alternative housing outside the core area of Washington D.C., citing...