The Hong Kong stock market has moved lower in three straight sessions, slumping almost 540 points or 3.1 percent in that span. The Hang Seng Index now sits just above the 17,450-point plateau although it may see a measure of traction on Thursday. The global forecast for the Asian markets suggests little movement ahead of...
The Japanese yen strengthened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Thursday, after data showed that the Japans real wages unexpectedly increased in July, signaling that the Bank of Japan is likely on the track for another rate hike this year. Data from the labor ministry showed that the Japans Labor Cash Earnings...
Asian stocks ended mixed on Thursday as investors digested weak U.S. manufacturing data and waited for more U.S. data this week, including Fridays all-important jobs report for directional cues. The dollar struggled to find footing in Asian trading, helping gold prices recover some ground. Crude prices rose modestly after industry data showed decline in inventories...
German stocks held steady on Thursday after official data revealed Germanys factory orders grew unexpectedly in July largely due to the surge in demand for transport equipment. Incoming new orders advanced 2.9 percent on a monthly basis in July following Junes revised 4.6 percent expansion, Destatis reported. Orders were forecast to fall 1.6 percent. On...
French stocks were subdued on Thursday as investors looked ahead to the release of more U.S. and Eurozone economic data this week for clues to the economic and rate outlook. The dollar remained on the back foot on expectations of deeper interest rate cuts, with some believing the Federal Reserve might go big with a...
European stocks traded mixed on Thursday, after having hit a two-week low on Wednesday on growth worries. Eurozone retail sales volumes rose by 0.1 percent month-on-month in July, Eurostat reported today, matching expectations. Separate data revealed Germanys factory orders grew unexpectedly in July largely due to the surge in demand for transport equipment. Incoming new...
The UK construction sector posted another strong growth in August as lower borrowing cost and gradual improvement in market conditions boosted residential work, survey results from S&P Global showed on Thursday. The construction Purchasing Managers Index fell to 53.6 in August from Julys 26-month high of 55.3. The reading was expected to drop moderately to...
Canadian stocks are up in positive territory Wednesday morning with investors reacting to the Bank of Canadas decision to reduce interest rates by 0.25 basis points for the third straight month. Healthcare, real estate and communications shares are among the prominent gainers. Several stocks from utilities and consumer discretionary sectors are also notably higher. Energy...
European stocks closed lower on Wednesday on weak global cues amid concerns about the outlook for growth after data showed continued contraction in U.S. factory activity, and cooling labor market. A downward revision in Eurozone composite PMI weighed as well. Investors fretted about weakening Chinese growth as well. Economic activity in the U.S. manufacturing sector...
The Switzerland market ended sharply lower on Wednesday, tracking weakness in global markets amid rising concerns about economic slowdown in the U.S. and China. The benchmark SMI ended down 172.02 points or 1.39% at 12,176.17. The index touched a low of 12,133.05 in the session. Richemont dropped 5.8%. Logitech International and Swatch Group lost 4.17%...