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Stocks edge up as timing of US rate cuts weighed; copper dives

A world stock index increased for a seventh straight session and U.S. Treasury yields also acquired on Friday as investors attempted to assess the timing of possible rate of interest cuts by the Federal Reserve this year.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 40,000 for the very first time, and all three significant U.S. stock indexes published strong gains for the week.

Copper surged to a 26-month peak after China revealed fresh support for its ailing home sector, while nickel rates touched their highest level considering that August 2023 amidst unrest in nickel manufacturer New Caledonia. Gold costs likewise acquired.

Data from earlier this week revealing softening consumer prices in April boosted expectations that the U.S. central bank will have the ability to cut rates two times this year, beginning in September.

Much depends, however, on what happens with rate pressures in the coming months and Fed authorities have hinted U.S. rates might not fall anytime soon.

On Friday, Fed Governor Michelle Bowman repeated her view that inflation will fall even more with the policy rate held steady, however said she has actually seen no enhancement on inflation this year and remains happy to trek rates must progress stall or reverse.

Minutes from the Fed's latest policy conference are due next week and may use more information on what Fed authorities are taking a look at to start cutting rates. The conference from April 30-- May. 1, however, happened before Wednesday's CPI data.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 134.21 points,. or 0.34%, to 40,003.59, the S&P 500 gained 6.17 points,. or 0.12%, to 5,303.27 and the Nasdaq Composite lost. 12.35 points, or 0.07%, to 16,685.97.

For the week, the Dow got 1.2%, the S&P 500 rose 1.5%. and the Nasdaq climbed up 2.1%.

People are now taking a look at the next catalyst. Most likely. it's going to be whether the Fed in fact cuts, stated. Robert Pavlik, senior portfolio manager at Dakota Wealth.

MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe increased. 0.88 points, or 0.11%, to 794.96, and was set for a seventh. session of gains and another record high close. The index was. likewise set to post gains for the week.

The STOXX 600 index

fell

0.13%. A report showed European Reserve bank board member. Isabel Schnabel promoted caution about more rate of interest. cuts after a likely first one in June.

In Treasuries, the yield on benchmark U.S. 10-year notes. increased 4.3 basis indicate 4.42% versus 4.377% late on. Thursday.

The U.S. dollar was mainly flat versus other major. currencies.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback. against a basket of currencies including the yen and the euro,. fell 0.02% to 104.48, with the euro up 0.05% at $1.087.

Versus the Japanese yen, the dollar strengthened. 0.18% at 155.65.

The Japanese currency has compromised this year as the Bank of. Japan has actually kept financial policy loose while greater U.S. rates. have actually drawn cash towards U.S. bonds and the dollar.

Tokyo is suspected to have actually intervened on a minimum of 2 days. in late April and early May to support the yen after it toppled. to lows last seen more than three years earlier.

Three-month nickel on the London Metal Exchange (LME). surged 5.2% to $20,820 a metric load by 1600 GMT after. touching $21,365, the greatest considering that August 2023.

LME copper climbed 2.3% to $10,662 per load, the. strongest given that March 2022.

Gold prices

, helped by China's stimulus measures, also increased. Spot gold. rose 1.5% to $2,412.83 per ounce.

Oil prices rose, with international benchmark Brent crude recording. its first weekly gain in three weeks.

U.S. crude got 83 cents to settle at $80.06 a. barrel and Brent increased 71 cents to settle at $83.98 per. barrel.

(source: Reuters)