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 Hang Seng climbed 139 points or 0.6% to close at 23,483 on Wednesday, partially rebounding from a near two-week low in the prior session. Sentiment improved after the Trump administration suggested that upcoming US tariffs may be more targeted than initially feared. Traders also welcomed news that Morgan Stanley raised its 2025 year-end targets for Chinese stocks, while Goldman Sachs strategists predicted further upside driven by positive earnings revisions. Geopolitical developments also provided support, with the US announcing a Russia- Ukraine ceasefire in the Black Sea. However, a...
The Nikkei 225 Index rose 0.65% to close at 38,027, while the Topix Index gained 0.55% to 2,813 on Wednesday, marking a second straight session of gains. Japanese stocks followed Wall Street's strong overnight performance, buoyed by hopes of a less aggressive stance on Trump's tit-for-tat tariffs. Meanwhile, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda told parliament that it would continue to raise interest rates if economic projections materialize. Ueda said growth has been beating expectations as the positive cycle from rising incomes to rising spending gradually strengthens. Consumer stocks led the...
Hong Kong shares rose 65 points, or 0.3%, to 23,404 in early trade on Wednesday, trying to bounce back from a near two-week low hit the previous day. Gains were led by the technology, consumer discretionary and property sectors, with traders reacting positively to trade data showing the city's exports and imports rose at the fastest pace in 13 months. Meanwhile, U.S. stock futures edged higher after Wall Street posted modest overnight gains ahead of President Trump's April 2 tariff deadline. In China, Morgan Stanley raised its outlook on mainland stocks for the second time in just over a...
The Nikkei 225 Index climbed 0.7% to surpass 38,000, while the Topix Index added 0.6% to 2,814 on Wednesday, marking their second consecutive session of gains. Japanese stocks followed a strong Wall Street lead overnight, buoyed by hopes of a less aggressive stance on Trump's reciprocal tariffs. Meanwhile, investors continued to analyze the Bank of Japan's monetary policy outlook, after minutes from the January meeting suggested that policymakers remain open to further interest rate hikes. Consumer stocks led the advance, with strong gains from Nintendo (5.3%), Sony Group (2.9%), and Fast...
Asia-Pacific markets opened higher on Wednesday, tracking gains on Wall Street on expectations that U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs could be softer than previously expected. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 opened 0.71% higher. Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 0.63% at the open, while the Topix gained 0.39%. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.38% while the small-cap Kosdaq traded 0.28% lower. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index futures were at 23,478, also higher than the HSI's last close of 23,344.25. The White House's planned tariffs set for April 2 are expected to be limited in scope, according to reports...