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...
The Nikkei 225 Index gained 0.25% to close at 39,270, while the broader Topix Index added 0.31% to reach 2,776 on Tuesday, extending gains from the previous session as the yen halted its recent rally, easing pressure on domestic equities. On Monday, data revealed that Japan's economy grew by 0.7% quarter-on-quarter in the fourth quarter, up from 0.4% growth in the previous quarter and exceeding expectations of 0.3%. On an annualized basis, Japan's GDP expanded by 2.8% in Q4, in line with forecasts and accelerating from a 1.7% increase in Q3. However, investor sentiment remained cautious...
European markets edged higher at the open on Tuesday, as geopolitical tensions in the region boosted defense stocks. The pan-European Stoxx 600 was up around 0.18% shortly after the opening bell, with major bourses in mixed territory. Defense stocks, which hit a record high during Monday's session, continued their rally, with Renk Group gaining around 7% and German arms manufacturer up 3% in early deals. Geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Europe are likely to remain in focus for European markets this week as U.S. officials prepare for talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine,...
Hong Kong's stock market ended higher on Tuesday with the benchmark Hang Seng Index up 1.59 percent to close at 22,976.81 points. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index jumped 1.82 percent to end at 8,475.40 points, and the Hang Seng Tech Index climbed 2.54 percent to close at 5,639.05 points. Source: CTX news
European futures hit record peaks on Tuesday as defence stocks soared on expectations of a spending bump, while Hong Kong shares were on the verge of three-year highs as investors cheered business leaders' meeting with President Xi Jinping. Australia's central bank began its rate cut cycle, as expected, and the Australian dollar found support at $0.6350 as a cut came with caution on further easing. S&P 500 futures were up 0.2% and European futures were up 0.1%. Japan's Nikkei rose 0.5% with bank and defence-related shares taking cues from Europe's rally. On Monday, the pan-European...
Hang Seng Index opened higher by 48 points at 22,664 before extending its rally, climbing as much as 418 points to reach an intraday high of 23,034. By late morning, the index was up 406 points, or 1.79%, at 23,022, with turnover on the main board totalling HK$1.168 billion. At 10.50am local time, the index was trading at 22,951.64, up 335.41 points or 1.48%. Technology stocks led the charge, with Tencent rising 2.3%, Alibaba surging 4.6%, Meituan gaining 1.6%, Xiaomi climbing 5.9%, JD.com up 1%, and Kuaishou advancing 4.1%. Financial stocks also supported the market's momentum, with HSBC...