The Hong Kong stock market has moved higher in consecutive trading days, improving more than 50 points or 0.3 percent in that span. The Hang Seng Index now rests just beneath the 17,770-point plateau and it\'s looking at a firm open again on Wednesday. The global forecast for the Asian markets suggests little movement ahead...
U.K. stocks traded higher on Wednesday as focus shifted to the July 4 election, which could see a possible end to 14 years of Conservative government. The Labour Party is set to grab 484 out of the total 650 seats in the Parliament, a pre-poll company Survation projected. The benchmark FTSE 100 was up 49...
European stocks advanced on Wednesday as traders reacted to dovish comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and looked ahead to key elections in France and the U.K. On Tuesday, Powell acknowledged progress in disinflation but added that officials need more confidence before cutting interest rates. Over 200 candidates have withdrawn from France\'s runoff election...
Indian shares rose notably on Wednesday to reach fresh record highs as investors reacted to dovish comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. On Tuesday, Powell acknowledged progress in disinflation but added that officials need more confidence before cutting interest rates. As growth worries mount, it is widely accepted that the Fed will likely cut...
The European Commission on Wednesday approved the proposed acquisition of joint control of ITA Airways by Deutsche Lufthansa AG (DLAKF, DLAKY) and the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance or MEF. The approval is conditional upon full compliance with the remedies offered by Lufthansa and the MEF. The Commission had concerns on reduced competition on...
Euro area private sector expanded at the end of the second quarter but the growth lost momentum due to the softening demand and weaker sales, final results of the HCOB Purchasing Managers\' survey, compiled by S&P Global, showed on Wednesday. The composite output index registered 50.9 in June, down from 52.2 in the previous month....
Payroll processor ADP released a report on Wednesday showing private sector employment in the U.S. increased by slightly less than expected in the month of June. ADP said private sector employment climbed by 150,000 jobs in June after rising by an upwardly revised 157,000 jobs in May. Economists had expected private sector employment to increase...
The Canadian market rose to a four-week high on Wednesday thanks to strong buying in the materials, utilities, industrials and financials sectors. Data showing a smaller than expected increase in U.S. private sector employment, and an unexpected drop in service sector activity raised hopes the Fed will cut interest rate in September. The benchmark S&P/TSX...
Australia will on Thursday release May figures for imports, exports and trade balance, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. In April, imports were down 7.2 percent on month and exports slipped 2.5 percent for a trade surplus of A$6.548 billion. Hong Kong will see June results for the private sector Purchasing Managers Index...
The South Korea stock market bounced higher again on Wednesday, one day after ending the two-day winning streak in which it had added more than 20 point or 0.7 percent. The KOSPI now rests just above the 2,790-point plateau and it may tick higher again on Thursday. The global forecast for the Asian markets is...