Japan

Global stocks rose Thursday, as chipmakers' strong earnings lifted sentiment. Meanwhile, the dollar hovered at a year-high, with investors still wary of stretched valuations. S&P 500 and Nasdaq, the benchmark indexes on Wall Street, were both up, with industrials, healthcare, and materials stocks leading the way. Micron rose 10% as the memory chipmaker’s strong forecast contributed to its AI-driven rise. Qualcomm gained 4% following its announcement that it expects to generate $15 billion in annual sales through its data center division by 2029. Nasdaq fell, but was dragged lower by the choppy trades among megacap technology companies. Apple fell 5.3%....

The stock market fell on Wednesday. Wall Street's gains were erased, and European shares were little changed. Valuation worries continued to weigh on the sentiment. Meanwhile, the dollar rose to a new high. The technology stocks that were hard hit on Tuesday reversed their early gains and continued to fall ahead of the earnings report from Micron, whose chips are a key component in driving AI. Investors have been hesitant as they priced in at minimum one rate increase from the Federal Reserve for this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was higher on Wall Street while the S&P 500,...

Global stocks fell on Monday, with a selloff of technology and semiconductors shares leading the way. Investors were bracing for a more aggressive Federal Reserve response to inflation. Wall Street saw the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lead losses. Semiconductors?and?some megacaps were also under pressure. Nvidia shares fell 3%, Tesla shares dropped 5%. Shares of SpaceX recovered from their initial declines and traded up 1.6%. Chip stocks fell 7%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.06%. The S&P 500 dropped 1%. And the Nasdaq Composite fell by 1.6%. Amanda Agati is the chief investment officer of PNC Asset Management Group. The...

What's important in U.S. and Global Markets Today By Mike Dolan. Editor-at-Large for Finance and Markets Big Tech began the week on a downhill slope, with Alphabet and Amazon each falling around 5%, due to a combination of worries: rising debt, interest rate expectations, and lofty AI expenditure. Even SpaceX, who began debt-raising plans 'of their own on Monday, clocked a loss of 16%. Below, I'll go into more detail. Check out my most recent column about why Britain's new government must deliver or risk further political instability and economic woe. Listen to the most recent episode of Morning Bid's...

?The?dollar rose on Monday, as optimism about a possible peace deal was boosted by the first round of U.S. - Iran talks. Meanwhile,?the pound rose in choppy 'trading' after British Prime Minister Keir?Starmer announced that he would resign. After the first round of talks in a budding deal, the U.S. lifted sanctions against Iran for a period of 60 days. Officials reported calm after fighting had led Iran to declare that the Strait of Hormuz was closed. U.S. crude fell 1.84%, to $75.19 per barrel. Brent dropped to $77.93 a barrel, down by 3.29%, on Monday, after the first talks...

After Iranian negotiators announced that 'progress was made in peace negotiations with the United States, this helped calm fears about the fragile process of ending the Iran War. Qatari and Pakistani officials also released a joint statement announcing that the first round of talks was over and that progress had been made in a roadmap for a final agreement to be reached within 60 days. The talks were overshadowed earlier by Tehran's announcement that it had once again closed the Strait of Hormuz. Shipping had slowed down after U.S. Central Command?said 55 ships passed on Saturday. This prompted U.S. president...

MSCI's global equities index rose?on Thursday, while oil prices dropped. An interim agreement to end the U.S. - Iran war allowed the reopening?of the Strait?of Hormuz. This fueled hopes that inflation?could?ease and that the U.S. Federal Reserve might not have to?tighten monetary?policy? this year. On Wednesday, the United States and Iran reached an agreement that extended a ceasefire declared in April for another 60 days. This will allow both sides to negotiate a peace. The agreement also allows for the full resume of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz "without charge". Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has threatened to...

Anna Szymanski is the Editor-in Charge of Open Interest. The markets reacted to the Federal Reserve's hawkish stance - but for a short time. As expected, the U.S. central banks kept interest rates at 3.5%-3.75%. However, their messaging indicated a tightening of monetary policy, which initially drove up bond yields and sparked a Wall Street'selloff' that Elon Musk's SpaceX could not escape. But global equities shrugged off that news on ?Thursday ?morning, as the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran sent oil prices tumbling to a three-and-a-half-month low. Below, I'll go into more detail. Listen...

The global stock market was torn Thursday between optimism and concern over the possibility of an increase in U.S. interest rates?this coming year following the Federal Reserve meeting. The United States and Iran released their agreement on Wednesday, which extends the ceasefire that was announced in April for another 60 days. This will allow both sides to negotiate a peace. The agreement also calls for the full resume of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz "without charge". Oil dropped 2.8% more to $77 per barrel. This is the lowest price since early March. Futures and shares fell in Europe,...

Investors assessed the progress made in ending the Middle East war after the U.S. president and Iran's president signed an interim peace agreement, but uncertainties still lingered. The text of the agreement was released by both countries. It had circulated widely prior to its publication. The agreement extends the ceasefire that was announced in April for another 60 days, allowing both sides to negotiate an end to hostilities. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has threatened to resume his attacks on Iran and to kill Iranian officials who fail to honor their commitments. Kyle Rodda is a senior analyst for Capital.com....

On 'Wednesday, major stock indexes declined, bond yields rose and the U.S. dollar extended gains against the euro after the Federal Reserve kept the benchmark interest rates steady. New projections revealed that officials expect to raise borrowing costs in the second half of this year due to rising inflation fears. This was the first rate announcement under new Fed chairman Kevin Warsh. As was widely anticipated, there is a good chance that rates will not be cut in this year. "This further confirms it," said Ryan Detrick. Chief?market strategist for Carson Group, Omaha. Detrick asked, "Now we have to ask...

The U.S. Dollar and major stock indexes gained on 'Wednesday, ahead of Kevin Warsh making his debut as Federal Reserve Chair. Oil prices also rose after doubts arose over the U.S. Iran peace deal. At the first Fed meeting, which will be chaired Warsh, the Fed is expected hold the interest rate steady. A new policy statement as well as economic projections are likely to reflect the growing concern over the inflation caused by the Iran War even after the recent peace agreement. In March, most committee members projected that they would cut rates. Adam Sarhan of 50 Park Investments,...

The demand for gold in India increased slightly this week, as jewellery buyers were attracted by lower prices, despite caution. In China however, premiums eased. The price of gold in India fell to its lowest level since April 2, at 146.444 rupees for 10 grams, on Thursday. It is down 1.5% this week. Chanda Venkatesh said that the demand for gold increased after the recent price correction, especially jewellery buyers. Dealers quoted discounts Discounts of up to $35 per ounce, including 15% import duties and 3% sales taxes, compared to last week's discount of up to $87.5. Although jewellers are...

Jim Anderson, the CEO of Coherent, a chipmaker backed by Nvidia in an earnings call early in May, warned about a shortage of Indium Phosphide. A U.S. delegation of businessmen accompanied President Donald Trump to China. Three sources with knowledge of the matter said that Anderson's trip was to highlight the delays in China's licensing for the export of the high-speed optical chip needed in the manufacturing of AI data centres. According to two U.S. officials and a person who was briefed about the talks, the issue was also raised during the Seoul talks between the top 'trade negotiators' of...

Japan's Nikkei average fell on Wednesday as investors shifted away from high-flying technology stocks that are sensitive to energy prices. The 'benchmark' Nikkei 225 Index fell 1.1% to 64,700.89. This was a reversal of the 2.1% gain in the previous session. The Topix index fell 0.69% to 3,586.34. In retaliation to the?downing a military chopper, the United States launched strikes against Iran Tuesday, which has deepened doubts about a possible?peace agreement. The data showed that the Gulf Crisis caused wholesale Japanese inflation to accelerate to its fastest rate in three years. This added upward pressure to domestic bond yields. "Declines...

Three sources with knowledge of the matter said that Sumitomo Corp provided financing to buyers of its 54% stake in Madagascar’s Ambatovy Nickel operation. This helped the company exit the losing project. Three sources familiar with the matter said that Sumitomo Corp, which invested $3 billion over 20 years in Ambatovy and has incurred $2.5 billion cumulative losses, provided financing to buyers of its 54% stake in Madagascar's Ambatovy nickel operation, smoothing their exit from the loss-making project. Sumitomo funded this transaction, while still retaining certain nickel offtake rights. "It needed someone to solve the problem for them," said one...

This month, activist investors have made a record-breaking number of proposals for Japanese companies to vote on during their annual general meetings. They also include a growing call for executives to resign. The Tokyo Stock Exchange and regulators have been pushing Japanese companies for years to increase shareholder returns, invest in growth as well as win some big activist victories. According to the data compiled at Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Bank, as of June 3, 139 activist shareholder proposals were submitted for voting at AGMs. This is two more than in previous years. Most of the proposals were from foreign investors....

The?Nikkei?share average in Japan retreated for a second straight session on Friday after closing at an all-time high earlier this week, as momentum slowed down in the?hot technology sector. The Nikkei Index, the benchmark index, fell 1.3% and closed at 66588.12, posting a gain of 0.3% for the week. The Topix index, which is a broader measure of the market, fell 0.07% to 3,599.09. The Nikkei closed at a record high of 68.402.13 on Wednesday, and it has gained 34% this year. The Nasdaq, the tech-heavy stock market in the United States, closed lower. Overnight, Broadcom missed its revenue targets...

Gold demand in India was subdued as buyers were on the sidelines because of?volatile overseas prices. Premiums?in China also eased slightly. On Friday, the price of domestic gold was around 158.400 rupees for 10 grams. Dealers quoted discounts This week you can save up to $87 per ounce on official domestic prices, including 15% import duty and 3% sales tax. Last week, you could save up to $106 per ounce. The wedding season is coming to an end. The retail demand is continuing to moderate and jewellery stores are reporting lower footfall in the country, said a Mumbai bullion dealer...

China has blocked Japan from obtaining several rare earths, heavy materials, and other minerals for at least four months. This coincides with a dispute over Taiwan between the two nations, indicating that Beijing is using its control of critical minerals to gain diplomatic leverage. Japan is the second largest producer of rare-earth magnets outside of China, but, like the rest of the globe, it is largely dependent on Beijing to import certain heavy rare earths, which are used in magnets, aerospace, and defence as well as gallium. Chinese customs data show that since December, Chinese exports to Japan of rare...

This week, gold prices in India continued to be at a steep discount, due to price volatility, which dampened demand, while premiums in China were reduced. Dealers in India quoted discounts This week, you can save up to $78 per ounce on official domestic prices, including 15% import duty and 3% sales tax. That's a significant drop from the previous week when you could save up to $207 per ounce. Retail buyers are confused by the recent price fluctuations after the government increased import duty earlier in the month. "Most of them are waiting for the prices to come down,"...

Japan's Nikkei stock average rose by the most in two weeks Thursday, thanks to renewed interest?in technology stocks?and the easing of geopolitical tensions?related?to the Iran War. The Nikkei Index benchmark rose by 3.14%, closing at 61.684.14, the highest one-day gain since May 7. The Topix index, which is a broader measure of the Nikkei 225 Index, rose 1.64% to 3,5853.81. The Nikkei mirrors Wall Street gains ahead of earnings forecast by AI powerhouse Nvidia. The oil prices fell sharply overnight, after U.S. president Donald Trump said that negotiations to end war in Iran are in their final stages. This eased...

The Nikkei 225 index rose more than 3.5% Thursday, the biggest gain in two-weeks, thanks to renewed interest in 'technology stocks' and a easing of geopolitical tensions related to?the Iran War. If the current momentum continues, the benchmark Nikkei Index will be on track for its biggest daily gain since May 7 if it maintains this pace. The Topix index rose 2.21% to 3,875.34. The Nikkei was up ahead of Wall Street's gains before earnings from AI bellwether Nvidia. Nvidia forecasted sales that exceeded market expectations. Oil prices fell sharply overnight after U.S. president Donald Trump announced that negotiations to...

This week, gold discounts in India reached a new record as a sharp increase in import duties slowed demand and triggered investor sales. Meanwhile, Chinese premiums remained firm due to investment demand. Dealers in India quoted discounts This week, you can save up to $207 per ounce on official domestic prices, including 15% import duties and 3% sales taxes. A jeweller in Hyderabad said that the'sudden rise in price' prompted investors and jewellers to sell while retail buyers and jewellers stayed out of it. India increased import duties on gold and Silver to 15% this week from 6%. India, the...