The European Central Bank lowered its key interest rate by 25 basis points again, in line with economists expectations, as policymakers assessed that the disinflation process is on track though growth concerns remain. The Governing Council, led by ECB President Christine Lagarde, cut the key policy rate - the deposit rate - by a quarter-basis...
First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits unexpectedly increased in the week ended December 7th, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Thursday. The report said initial jobless claims climbed to 242,000, an increase of 17,000 from the previous weeks revised level of 225,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to dip to 220,000...
The Canadian market closed notably lower on Thursday as stocks tumbled on sustained selling pressure due to weak commodity prices and rising concerns about U.S. President-elect Donald Trumps tariff threats. The benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index ended with a loss of 246.99 points or 0.96% at 25,410.71, a more than two week low. Materials and energy...
The South Korea stock market has moved higher in three straight sessions, improving more than 120 points or 5 percent along the way. The KOSPI now sits just above the 2,480-point plateau although investors may lock in gains on Friday. The global forecast for the Asian markets is soft, with oil and technology shares likely...
The Japanese stock market has tracked higher in four straight sessions, advancing more than 750 points or 1.9 percent along the way. The Nikkei 225 now sits just beneath the 39,850-point plateau, although its tipped to open in the red on Friday. The global forecast for the Asian markets is soft, with oil and technology...
The Singapore stock market has finished higher in two of three trading days since the end of the two-day slide in which it had fallen almost 30 points or 0.8 percent. The Straits Times Index now rests just beneath the 3,810-point plateau although it figures to turn lower again on Friday. The global forecast for...
Large manufacturing in Japan accelerated slightly in the third quarter of 2024, the Bank of Japans quarterly Tankan Survey of business sentiment showed on Friday with a diffusion index score of +14. That beat forecasts for a reading of +13, which would have been unchanged from three months earlier. The outlook came in at +13,...
The China stock market has finished higher in three straight sessions, collecting nearly 60 points or 1.8 percent along the way. The Shanghai Composite now sits just above the 3,460-point plateau although it may run out of steam on Friday. The global forecast for the Asian markets is soft, with oil and technology shares likely...
The Hong Kong stock market on Thursday ended the two-day losing streak in which it had slumped more than 250 points or 1.2 percent. The Hang Seng Index now sits just beneath the 20,400-point plateau although it may turn lower again on Friday. The global forecast for the Asian markets is soft, with oil and...
The Indonesia stock market on Thursday wrote a finish to the four-day winning streak in which it had rallied almost 150 points or 2.2 percent. The Jakarta Composite Index now sits just beneath the 7,400-point plateau and its expected to extend its losses on Friday. The global forecast for the Asian markets is soft, with...