The STOXX 50 went up 0.3% and the STOXX 600 rose 0.2% on Monday, tracking a general positive tone across European equity markets in Asia and the US. Traders were also digesting corporate news and economic data. Shares of AstraZeneca jumped 1.6% after news the drugmaker plans direct listing on the New York Stock Exchange, replacing its current ADR structure. GSK increased 3.6% after appointing a new CEO. Lufthansa added 1.4%. On the other hand, Genmab declined 2.5% after it agreed to buyNasdaq-listed Dutch biotech Merus. On the data front, preliminary figures showed inflation in Spain...
The STOXX 50 index edged up 0.1% to 5,390 points on Friday, its highest since late August, while the broader STOXX 600 also gained 0.1% to 555 points, as a jump in US jobless claims and a modest rise in inflation reinforced expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts next week and beyond. Meanwhile, the ECB signaled its rate-cutting cycle is over, with President Lagarde saying the bank is in a "good place" and that growth risks are now more balanced. In corporate news, Banco Sabadell slipped 0.6% after its board unanimously rejected BBVA's €15 billion takeover offer, urging shareholders not...
The Nikkei 225 climbed 0.89% to close at 44,768 and the Topix added 0.4% to 3,160 on Friday, with Japanese stocks hitting fresh record highs in line with Wall Street's overnight gains. On Thursday, all three major US indexes closed at all-time highs as signs of a cooling labor market and subdued inflation fueled expectations for deeper Federal Reserve rate cuts. In Japan, investors continued to assess the Bank of Japan's policy path amid mixed economic signals and political uncertainty. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba recently announced his resignation, facing mounting pressure after last...
Hong Kong shares surged 375 points, or 1.4%, to 26,405 on Friday morning's trade, reversing losses in the prior session and hitting their highest in over four years. The rally was broad-based, tracking a global rally after Wall Street's S&P 500 notched a third record close Thursday following higher-than-expected US jobless claims that solidified bets of a Fed rate cut next week, with more easing through year-end. For the week, the Hang Seng is up about 4%, set for a second straight weekly gain, lifted by a report that Beijing may direct state banks to help local governments cover unpaid...
The Nikkei 225 rose 0.7% to around 44,700 and the Topix gained 0.5% to 3,165 on Friday, with Japanese equities hitting fresh record highs in step with Wall Street's overnight rally. On Thursday, all three major US benchmarks closed at all-time highs as evidence of a cooling labor market and contained inflation strengthened expectations for deeper Federal Reserve rate cuts. In Japan, investors weighed the Bank of Japan's policy outlook against mixed economic indicators and ongoing political uncertainty. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba recently announced his resignation, facing mounting...
European stocks closed higher Thursday, as investors reacted to the latest policy decision by the European Central Bank as well as key U.S. inflation data. The DAX index in Germany climbed 0.3%, the CAC 40 in France gained 0.9% and the FTSE 100 in the U.K. rose 0.8%. ECB meeting All eyes Thursday were on Frankfurt as the ECB concluded its latest policy-setting meeting, with policymakers keeping interest rates on hold, as widely expected, with inflation largely on target, but an uncertain growth and political outlook kept further easing open. The ECB cut its key deposit rate to 2% in June,...