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REFILE-Stocks lose ground, oil extends gains amid Middle East stress

International stocks fell on Thursday, weighed down by tepid trading in equity markets throughout the U.S. and other major regions, even as oil rates extended gains amid increasing geopolitical stress from the Middle East dispute.

Wall Street's main indexes pared early gains and were trading slightly down. Data released on Thursday showed rising U.S. jobless claims, indicating labor market softness, however strong service sector activity.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.50% to 41,987.51, the S&P 500 fell 0.30% to 5,692.36 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.21% to 17,887.08.

European stocks were last down 0.92%, as financiers absorbed weak business activity study data from the bloc. MSCI's gauge of stocks around the world fell 0.44% to 841.78.

Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan had earlier shed 1% overnight, mainly driven by Hong Kong stocks sagging after a sizzling rally, with several markets, consisting of mainland China and South Korea, closed for the day. Japan's Nikkei bucked the trend, up 2% after the country's freshly elected prime minister Shigeru Ishiba stated it was not the time to raise rates after fulfilling central bank guv Kazuo Ueda. Bank of Japan board member Asahi Noguchi later stated rates would increase meticulously and gradually. Geopolitical stress loomed large, after Israel bombed Beirut early on Thursday, following a year of clashes with Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Oil costs acquired on Thursday as issues grew that the conflict might interfere with crude oil streams from the crucial exporting region, overshadowing a stronger international supply outlook. Brent and U.S. unrefined futures got nearly 4% each to $76.76 and $ 73.08, respectively.

Oil's had an excellent week. However in context, you're looking at kind of low 70s versus summertime levels in the 80s. So I don't. believe there's a signal from the market to say, brace yourself. for major escalation ... However it's an unstable situation, stated. Eren Osman, managing director of wealth management at Arbuthnot. Latham.

Gold costs fell as the U.S. dollar strengthened against. significant curries. Spot gold dipped 0.34% on the day to $2,648.72,. but stayed near a record high. In currencies, the US dollar index gained 0.3% to 101.95 . The euro was slightly down at $1.102575, and. not far from Wednesday's low of $1.10325, a level last seen on. Sept. 12. Sterling fell 1.1% to $1.31095 after Bank of England. Governor Andrew Bailey informed the Guardian newspaper that the. central bank might become a bit more aggressive on rate cuts. if inflation continued to reduce. Against the Japanese yen. , the dollar enhanced 0.14% to 146.7.

Treasury yields rose after the

out of work claims data

and

service sector

report. Two-year Treasury yields were last at. 3.6765% on Thursday, while benchmark 10-year yields. were at 3.821%.

Markets suggest an almost 34% chance the Fed will cut interest. rates by another 50 basis points in November, compared to. almost 60% last week, and have around 70 basis points of alleviating. priced in by year-end.

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(source: Reuters)