European stocks were set to wrap up September with the best performance since 2019, as optimism around resilient US economic growth and lower interest rates lifted risk appetite. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index was little changed by 8:17 a.m. in London. The gauge has gained nearly 1% in September during a typically weak seasonal period. Financial services and media sectors outperformed, while energy and chemicals shares were the biggest laggards. In individual stocks, Asos Plc dropped 10% as it warned full-year earnings would be at the lower end of expectations as the online fast...
The Hang Seng fell 94 points or 0.4% to end at 25,519 on Thursday, snapping the three-day winning streak after reversing early gains. Sentiment weakened ahead of China's July activity data due Friday, with investors wary of the impact from U.S. tariffs, soft demand, and recent adverse weather. Industrial output and retail sales in the mainland are expected to slow, while the jobless rate may edge higher. Meantime, fresh data showed new yuan loans logged their first monthly drop since 2005, as banks typically ease lending in July. Most sectors declined, led by tech, consumer, and...
Major European bourses edged higher on Thursday, with the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 both up 0.1%—marking a third straight session of gains and trading near one-month highs. Investors remained focused on economic data, corporate earnings, and geopolitical developments, with Presidents Trump and Putin set to meet tomorrow. Optimism was also supported by expectations that the Fed will deliver a 25 bps cut to the federal funds rate next month. Among megacaps, SAP (+0.1%) and ASML Holding (+0.4%) advanced, while LVMH, Hermès, Nestlé, and Novo Nordisk were little changed. On the earnings front,...
The Nikkei 225 fell 1.45% to close at 42,649, while the broader Topix dropped 1.1% to 3,058 on Thursday, as Japanese stocks pulled back from record highs amid profit taking. The market had rallied earlier in the week after softer US inflation data boosted expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut next month. A strong earnings season in Japan and an improving global trade outlook also added to bullish sentiment. On the policy front, the Bank of Japan faces mounting pressure to abandon an inflation gauge tied to domestic demand and wage growth that has so far restrained further...
Hong Kong shares added 53 points or 0.2% to 25,659 in Thursday's morning session, rising for the fourth day to a three-week high. Sentiment was lifted by record closes for Wall Street's S&P 500 and Nasdaq for the second day overnight, as traders increased bets on a US Fed rate cut next month. Meantime, Treasury Secretary Bessent called for a series of cuts, starting with a 50bps move in September. In China, Beijing pledged interest subsidies for businesses in eight consumer service sectors to boost spending. Further strength, however, was capped by growing caution ahead of July activity...
The Nikkei 225 fell 0.5% toward 43,000, while the broader Topix dropped 0.9% to 3,065 on Thursday, as Japanese stocks pulled back from record highs amid profit taking. The market had rallied earlier in the week after softer US inflation data boosted expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut next month. A strong earnings season in Japan and an improving global trade outlook also added to bullish sentiment. On the policy front, the Bank of Japan faces mounting pressure to abandon an inflation gauge tied to domestic demand and wage growth that has so far restrained further...