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Asian stocks fell on Thursday, after weaker than expected Chinese data and a drop in copper prices. Investors also weighed the impact of a new trade agreement between South Korea & the U.S. Investors weighed the Federal Reserve's decision to keep rates unchanged and megacap tech companies' strong earnings when determining whether or not to buy the dollar. Nasdaq Futures soared 1.2% after Microsoft and Meta Platforms reported earnings that were better than expected. S&P futures rose 0.8% while the U.S. Dollar held steady following a two-month peak. Tony Sycamore is a market analyst with IG Sydney. He said that...

The euro rose on Monday, after a US-EU trade deal lifted the mood and provided clarity ahead of a week of important policy meetings at the Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan. A week after signing a similar deal with Japan, the U.S. has reached a framework agreement with the European Union. The U.S. will impose a 15% tariff on the import of most EU goods. The U.S. president Donald Trump has set a deadline of August 1, and countries are scrambling for trade deals to be finalised before that date. Talks between the U.S., China will take place in...

The euro strengthened on Monday, after a US-EU trade agreement lifted the mood and provided some clarification in the week of important policy meetings between the Federal Reserve Bank of Japan and the Federal Reserve. A week after agreeing on a trade agreement with Japan, which lowered proposed auto import tariffs, the U.S. has struck a framework deal with the European Union. The U.S. will impose a 15% tariff on the majority of EU goods, half the rate that was threatened. The U.S. president Donald Trump has set a deadline of August 1, and countries are scrambling for trade deals...

The Japanese stock market reached a record high of one year on Wednesday, as the country signed a deal with the United States to lower tariffs on autos. This also revived hopes for an EU-US trade agreement that would boost European stock futures. Donald Trump said late Tuesday that a deal reached with Tokyo would see Japan pay a 15% lower tariff on all shipments to the U.S. The agreement came after the U.S. reached an agreement with the Philippines, where the U.S. will collect a tariff of 19% on imports. Trump said that representatives of the European Union would...

Japanese shares led a rally in the Asian share markets on Wednesday, after U.S. president Donald Trump announced that he had signed a trade agreement with Japan. This fueled hopes for more deals to follow. It also offset mixed U.S. earnings which highlighted the drags of higher tariffs. Trump announced late Tuesday a trade agreement with Tokyo, which he claimed will see Japan invest $550 billion in the United States while paying a reciprocal 15% tariff. The deal came after an agreement reached with the Philippines, where the U.S. will collect a tariff of 19% on all imports. Norihiro Yamaguchi...

Investors took note of the tariff negotiations between America and its trading partners, while Asian stock markets remained near their four-year high on Tuesday. They were buoyed up by Wall Street's record closing high in advance of a series of corporate earnings. After a weekend election in which the ruling coalition lost in the upper house elections but Prime Minister Shigeru ishiba pledged to stay in his position, the Japanese markets have returned to activity. Japanese shares briefly rose at the opening before trading modestly higher. Bonds had a muted response as the results of the elections were already priced...

The global shares are on track to gain weekly gains this Friday, as strong U.S. corporate earnings and economic data released in the last week have tempered concerns about tariffs for now. Meanwhile, the yen is heading towards a second consecutive weekly loss before a crucial legislative election on Sunday in Japan. The S&P 500 closed at a record high on Thursday, thanks to stronger than expected retail sales data and claims for unemployment benefits, which suggest modest improvements in the economy. MSCI's global stock index edged up by 0.2% on the Friday, and is on track to gain 0.6%...

The Asian stock market was under pressure Wednesday, while the dollar rose to its strongest level against the yen in early April. This is after U.S. Inflation suggested that tariffs were pushing up prices, dampening expectation for Federal Reserve policy ease. The yield on U.S. Treasury bonds reached its highest level in over a month. This lifted the dollar, especially against the yen. However, tech shares remained resilient following a 4% rally in artificial-intelligence darling Nvidia overnight. Brent crude has remained at $69 per barrel. The data released on Tuesday shows that U.S. consumer price rose by 0.3% in the...

The dollar gained on Tuesday, as the trade talks were still in the spotlight. This week will also see important readings for U.S. bank earnings and inflation. Oil prices fell after U.S. president Donald Trump set a deadline of 50 days for Russia to stop the war in Ukraine or face energy sanctions. Nasdaq Futures rose after Nvidia NVDA.O announced it would resume sales of H20 chips in China. Trump indicated he would be open to discussing tariffs following his threat at the weekend to impose 30% duty on Europe and Mexico starting August 1. Japan is trying to set...

Investors weighed the latest trade announcements by U.S. president Donald Trump on Thursday. The Brazilian real recovered from its losses after Trump announced a 50% tariff against goods from Brazil. Delta Air Lines, which helped Wall Street stocks rise 12% after forecasting profits for the third quarter and the full year above analyst's estimates, jumped. United Airlines and other travel stocks rose as well, with United Airlines up 15.3%. Trump confirmed late Wednesday that a 50% copper tariff will be implemented, with effect from August 1. The last time U.S. Copper prices rose on the day was late Wednesday. On...

Investors weighed the latest trade announcements by U.S. president Donald Trump on Thursday. The Brazilian real recovered from its losses after Trump announced a 50% tariff for goods coming from Brazil. Trump confirmed late Wednesday that a 50% copper tariff will be implemented, with effect from August 1. The last time U.S. Copper prices rose on the day was late Wednesday. On Wednesday, the Brazilian real's volatility gauges reached their highest level since late April and the real fell as much as 2,3%. The dollar fell by 0.4% last Thursday against the real while Brazilian stocks dropped about 0.7%. Brazilian...

Asian stocks rose on Thursday on the back of optimism following Nvidia's rise to a record $4 trillion valuation. Investors also shrugged off President Donald Trump's recent tariffs. U.S. Copper Futures increased their premium over the London benchmark overnight, after Trump announced his plans to impose 50% tariffs on copper. Later, on Wednesday, he said that the tariffs would be in effect from August 1. Trump's trade anger also erupted against Brazil on Wednesday, as he issued notices of tariffs and threatened to impose a 50% penalty on Brazilian exports. The recent moves have not caused much of a stir...

In their most recent earnings reports, some of the top technology firms in the world, such as U.S.-based Alphabet and South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix, as well Indian IT services provider Infosys have given upbeat guidance, despite an uncertain U.S. Trade Policy. The erratic U.S. Trade Action has overshadowed corporate operations, upending supply chains and leaving firms to navigate fluid Tariffs. This is on top of other economic uncertainties like regulatory changes and currency fluctuations. Alphabet, SK Hynix, and Infosys, all of which reported earnings above market expectations, predicted brighter times to come. Alphabet and SK Hynix have both announced...

In their most recent earnings reports, some of the top technology firms in the world, such as U.S.-based Alphabet and South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix, as well Indian IT services provider Infosys have given upbeat guidance, despite an uncertain U.S. Trade Policy. The erratic U.S. Trade Action has overshadowed corporate operations, upending supply chains and leaving firms to navigate fluctuating tariffs. This is on top of other economic uncertainties like regulatory changes and currency fluctuations. Alphabet, SK Hynix, and Infosys, all of which reported earnings above market expectations, predicted a brighter future. Alphabet and SK Hynix have both announced plans...

The demand for physical gold was sluggish across the major Asian markets this week as volatility in prices weighed on sentiment. Premiums in China remained firm, while discounts in India were narrowing. Dealers in the top consumer China have charged premiums between $10 and $25 per ounce above the global benchmark spot rate, compared to premiums between $4.2-$33 from last week. On Wednesday, spot gold dropped to its lowest levels in more than a week, dropping below the $3300 mark. It then recovered to trade at $3335 by 0520 GMT Friday. In recent days, U.S. president Donald Trump has expanded...

Daily LME data revealed that the London Metal Exchange’s new warehouses located in Hong Kong had attracted 100 tons of copper. The copper was stored without a warrant or title documents confirming ownership. This location is expected to be operational in mid-July. Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing's LME approved Hong Kong in January for warehouse delivery as the LME sees Hong Kong as an entry point to China, the world's largest metals consumer. The LME stated that "the arrival of metal into LME-approved storage facilities shows that listing Hong Kong as an option for delivery is attractive to metal market...

Official data released by the People's Bank of China on Monday showed that China's central banks added gold to their reserves for the eighth consecutive month. China's gold reserves increased to 73.90 millions fine troy ounces by the end June from 73.83 at the end May. China's gold reserves increased to $242.93 Billion at the end last month from $241.99 Billion at the end May, according to central bank data released on Monday. Carsten Menke is an analyst with Julius Baer. He said, "We expect the PBOC will remain a consistent buyer over the next few year, motivated by their...

The demand for gold in India has decreased due to lower imports. Indian dealers are offering a discount This week, the official domestic prices will be discounted by up to $14 per ounce, including 6% import duties and 3% sales taxes, compared to last week's up to $18 discount. A Mumbai-based dealer of gold bullion with a private banking firm said that despite a weak demand for jewellery, the low imports of gold in May and early June have led to lower discounts. The price of gold in India was around 97.100 rupees for 10 grams, after reaching a record...

Chinese and Hong Kong shares edged up on Monday, with rare earths and technology sectors leading the way, as investors awaited U.S. China trade negotiations at a high level in London. Investors are cautiously optimistic as world's largest economies try to resolve their trade dispute. China is struggling with slow exports, deflation and eroding consumer confidence. The first meeting of the economic and trade consultative mechanism between the United States and China will be held by U.S. Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent and Commerce Sec. Howard Lutnick, along with Trade Rep Jamieson Greer. The Shanghai Composite Index and China's blue chip...

China and Hong Kong shares edged up on Monday as rare-earths and technology sectors led gains, while investors awaited high-level U.S. China trade negotiations to be held in London. At midday, both the Shanghai Composite Index and China's blue chip CSI300 Index gained 0.2%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index advanced by more than 1%, and it reclaimed its key level of 24,000 for the first time since March 21, 2015. During the morning session of trading, the yuan was unable to find a direction and traded last at 7,1872 dollars. The mood was positive, but cautious. U.S. officials and Chinese...

The gold discounts in India reached their highest level in over a month this week, due to a rise in prices that were near record highs. Meanwhile, the rising rates in other major Asian cities also dampened demand. On Friday, domestic gold prices traded at around 98.300 rupees for 10 grams, having rebounded from a monthly low of 90.890 rupees and approaching the all-time record of 99.358 rupees. Indian dealers were forced to offer discounts due to the price spike Up to $56 per ounce less than official domestic prices. This includes a 6% duty on imports and a 3%...

The physical gold demand in India this week was tepid, due to an increase in prices at home and the end of wedding season, which kept buyers away. Premiums in China, India's top consumer, were also down. This week, Indian dealers offered a discount Last week, the discount was up to $49, but this week it is down to up to $31 per ounce, including 6% import duties and 3% sales taxes. The wedding season has ended and the monsoon is here, so jewellers expect a seasonal drop in demand. This is why people are holding off on new purchases,"...

Data from the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department showed that China's total imports of gold via Hong Kong almost tripled in April compared to March, reaching their highest level for more than a month. Why it's important China is the largest gold consumer in the world. Its buying activities can have a significant impact on global gold markets. The sharp rise in gold imports after months of net exports reflects a shift in economic sentiment as well as a renewed optimism among Chinese investors about the future for gold. Hong Kong's data might not be a complete view of...

The physical gold demand in India this week was subdued, as a rise in global prices, a weaker rupee and retail purchases were limited. Premiums in the top consumer China remained stable. This week, Indian dealers offered a discount Last week, the discount was up to $34, but this week it's up to $49 per ounce. Last week, prices were falling and buyers began to buy. Now that the prices have rebounded, buyers are stepping back from the market again", a jeweller in New Delhi said. On Friday, domestic gold prices traded at around 95,900 rupies per 10 grams after...