Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Monday, as investors keep a close watch on the People's Bank of China's decision on its 1-year and 5-year loan prime rates for July, as well as the latest developments on the trade front. Trade came into focus once again over the weekend as the White House reiterated its position on tariffs. On Sunday, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called Aug. 1 the "hard deadline" for countries to start paying tariffs, though he also added that "nothing stops countries from talking to us after August 1." South Korean markets started the day higher Monday. As of...
Wall Street's main indexes opened lower on Tuesday as the Israel-Iran conflict entered its fifth day, denting global investor confidence ahead of the Federal Reserve's upcoming monetary policy decision. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, fell 156.5 points, or 0.37%, at the open to 42358.62. The S&P 500, fell 21.0 points, or 0.35%, at the open to 6012.15, while the Nasdaq Composite, dropped 74.1 points, or 0.38%, to 19627.082 at the opening bell. Source : Reuters
The Hang Seng lost 81 points or 0.3% to close at 23,980 on Tuesday amid broad sector losses, swinging from gains in the prior session. Sentiment weakened as U.S. stock futures tumbled after President Trump's abrupt exit from the G7 Summit in Canada, while Israel-Iran tensions extended into a fifth day. Investors also turned cautious ahead of the Fed's two-day policy meeting starting today, with a rate decision due Wednesday. While the board is expected to hold rates steady for a fourth straight time, geopolitical risks and rising oil prices could dampen hopes for near-term...
European stocks fell on Tuesday, with the STOXX 50 down 1% and the STOXX 600 down 0.8%, as fresh concerns over a potential escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict weighed on sentiment. The sell-off followed US President Trump's call for the evacuation of Tehran, and his early departure from the G7 summit, which fueled speculation that Washington may be preparing more forceful support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's military operations. Meanwhile, Israeli attacks on Iranian targets, including missile storage sites and launch infrastructure, continued. Among the worst...
The Nikkei 225 index rose 0.59% to close at 38,537 while the broader Topix index gained 0.35% to 2,787 on Tuesday, extending gains from the previous session as investors reacted to the Bank of Japan's latest policy decision. As expected, the central bank kept its policy interest rate steady at 0.5% and signaled a more gradual approach to balance sheet reduction starting next year, reflecting a cautious approach toward withdrawing stimulus. BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda stressed that policymakers are closely monitoring economic conditions, especially amid changing global trade dynamics, and left...
Hong Kong shares fell 59 points, or 0.2%, to 24,008 on Tuesday, reversing gains from the previous session as most sectors fell. A sharp drop in U.S. stock futures weighed on sentiment after President Trump urged evacuations from Tehran, stoking fears of a wider conflict as tensions between Israel and Iran entered a fifth day. Caution also prevailed ahead of the Fed's two-day policy meeting that begins today, with a rate decision due on Wednesday. While the Fed is widely expected to keep rates unchanged for a fourth straight day, rising geopolitical risks and rising oil prices could cloud...