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The world stock market is mixed due to weak economic data, but also positive earnings.

The world stock market was mixed on Thursday as markets considered a range of economic indicators, including central bank rate decisions and inflation data, along with last-minute negotiations for a trade agreement ahead of U.S. president Donald Trump's deadline of August 1.

Bank of Japan has recently increased inflation forecasts and held interest rates, indicating cautious optimism about Japan's economy.

Japan's short-dated bond yields rose at one point to their highest level since early April. However, they retreated after the BOJ policy statement caused market participants to delay expectations of any future interest rate increases.

The Nikkei closed just under 1% higher, and the yen gave up its early gains.

Investors also focused on earnings. Nasdaq Futures rose 1.4% following better-than-expected results from Microsoft and Meta Platforms. S&P futures increased by over 1%.

Dan Coatsworth is an investment analyst with AJ Bell. He said, "Microsoft and Meta have just delivered earnings that most companies only dream about."

Investors are ecstatic because they've smashed the market predictions by a mile.

Stock indexes across Europe were also supported by earnings. Around 1025 GMT, the Stoxx 600 pan-European index remained steady.

The index is expected to finish the month up 1.6% as improved economic data from the U.S., Europe and other countries was better than expected.

Standard Chartered, France's Societe Generale and the region's banks all posted gains of over 1.5% Thursday following positive results.

MSCI's world-wide index was flat. This was due to the decline in Chinese shares after official PMI gauges revealed weaker economic activity than expected during July. China's blue-chip CSI 300 index ended 1.8% down, its largest single-day drop since April 7. Hong Kong's stock index also closed 1.6% down.

Investors in Asia also considered the implications of the trade agreement between the U.S.A. and South Korea, as well as whether Trump’s initial announcement that a 25% tariff would be imposed on India should have been taken seriously. This was especially true since it came in the middle trade negotiations.

The benchmark Nifty 50 index in India is just barely in positive territory, after recovering earlier losses.

The Korean won rose 0.3% following Trump's announcement that the U.S. will impose a 15% tariff for imports from South Korea. In return, South Korea would invest $350 billion into U.S. projects as well as purchase $100 billion of U.S. products in energy.

The announcement is part of a series that was rushed to be made before the deadline of Friday, April 2, in order to avoid the imposition by Trump of his "Liberation Day", or April 2 tariffs.

Copper futures fell 19.4% as Trump announced that the U.S. will impose a tariff of 50% on copper pipes, wiring and other copper products. This was far less than the expectations of more sweeping restrictions.

On Hold

The Federal Reserve’s rate-setting panel voted on Wednesday 9-2 to keep U.S. interest rates unchanged for the fifth time in a row. Two Fed governors dissented for the first times in over 30 years.

The comments made by Fed Chairman Jerome Powell after the decision undermined confidence in the ability of borrowing costs to fall in September.

The dollar index remained steady at 98.718, down from its two-month high, 99.987, which it reached on Wednesday. The index will gain 3.1% for the month. This is its first increase since 2025.

"Although Federal Reserve kept rates at their recent rate setting decision the possibility of rate reductions at upcoming meetings remain live, as they balance the softening economy data with the possible for persistent inflation," Manusha Samanthaweera, Fixed Income Investment Director at Capital Group.

The U.S. Gross Domestic Product growth was higher than expected during the second quarter. However, the details painted a picture that showed an economy in decline and plagued with uncertainty due to Trump's protectionist policies.

Brent crude futures, for September delivery, were down 26 cents at $72.98 per barrel. U.S. West Texas intermediate crude for September was down 25 cents at $69.75 per barrel as traders exited their positions that would expire on Friday.

Brent crude futures for October also dropped 33 cents, to $72.13, amid reports that EU tariffs on crude palm oil and kernels may be removed. Reporting by Nell Mackenzie, Gregor Stuart Hunter. Additional reporting by Ankur Banerjee. Jamie Freed, Mark Potter and Mark Potter edited the article.

(source: Reuters)