US stocks were higher on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 rising 0.3%, the Nasdaq edging up 0.1%, and the Dow Jones jumping more than 250 points. The gains followed fresh record closes for the S&P 500 in back-to-back sessions. Investor sentiment was buoyed by renewed trade optimism after President Trump announced a deal with Japan that would lower tariffs from 25% to 15%. Japan also committed to investing $550 billion in the US and opening its markets to key American goods. Additionally, a trade agreement with the Philippines was announced, while hopes are growing that a deal with the EU...
Japanese stocks rose after the close on Monday (5/12), as gains in the Real Estate, Banking and Textile sectors helped stocks advance. At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 was up 0.42%. The best performers on the Nikkei 225 were Advantest Corp. (TYO:6857), which rose 9.04% or 605.00 points to trade at 7,300.00 at the close. Meanwhile, Pacific Metals Co., Ltd. (TYO:5541) rose 7.30% or 116.00 points to close at 1,704.00 and Yaskawa Electric Corp. (TYO:6506) gained 6.79% or 205.00 points to 3,226.00 at the close. The worst performers on the session were DeNA Co Ltd (TYO:2432), which fell...
Hong Kong stocks jumped 322 points, or 1.4%, to 23,188 on Monday morning, marking their eighth straight session of gains and hitting a 1-1/2-month high. The rally followed a strong surge in U.S. stock futures amid signs of progress in U.S.-China trade talks over the weekend. Washington has highlighted progress toward a deal while Beijing has confirmed both sides have agreed to start formal negotiations. Investor sentiment was further boosted by easing geopolitical tensions, including a fragile ceasefire between India and Pakistan and Ukrainian President Zelenskiy's openness to meeting...
The Nikkei 225 index rose 0.2% to 37,600 while the broader Topix index gained 0.4% to 2,744 on Monday, with Japanese shares hitting a six-week high as the U.S. cited "substantial progress" in trade talks with China over the weekend in Switzerland. The U.S. highlighted efforts to reduce its trade deficit, while Chinese leaders confirmed a "significant consensus" had been reached. However, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick noted that the 10% base tariff on other countries is expected to remain in place "for the foreseeable future." Investors are also keeping an eye on ongoing trade talks...
Asia-Pacific markets rose on Monday on optimism that U.S.-China trade tensions could ease after the two superpowers held talks in Switzerland over the weekend. Both countries touted a positive conclusion to high-stakes trade talks, with U.S. officials touting a deal to reduce their trade deficit, while Chinese leaders said they had reached an "important consensus." U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that the talks resulted in "significant" productivity gains. Meanwhile, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said a joint statement containing "good news for the world" would be released on...
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) followed the broader market lower on Friday, declining to 41,150 as investors gear up for a tense weekend. The United States (US) and China are headed for opening trade talks in Switzerland this weekend, but policymakers from both administrations have cautioned that talks will be strictly preliminary. Chinese delegates have specifically warned that a definitive deal could be months away. US President Donald Trump hit social media early on Friday, publicly musing about a potential walkback of tariffs on Chinese goods that currently stand at an...