FTSE

August 18, 2025 9:14 AM

Global shares scale fresh tops in Asia, oil slips on truce talks

Share markets edged higher in Asia on Monday ahead of what is likely to be an eventful week for U.S. interest rate policy, while oil prices slipped as risks to Russian supplies seemed to fade a little. A general risk-on mood saw indices in Japan and Taiwan make record peaks, while Chinese blue chips reached their highest in 10 months. U.S. President Donald Trump now seemed more aligned with Moscow on seeking a peace deal with Ukraine instead of a ceasefire first, after meeting Russian Presiden...

September 6, 2024 12:59 PM

Markets on tenterhooks ahead of key US jobs data

Asian shares struggled for direction while the yen jumped on Friday, as investors remained on tenterhooks ahead of U.S. jobs data that could decide the size and speed of coming rate cuts in the world's largest economy. Oil prices are staring down their worst week in more than a year to hover just above a critical chart level, with their near-term fate depending on the payrolls report due later in the day. Europe is set for a lower open, with both EUROSTOXX 50 futures and FTSE futures off 0.2...

June 25, 2024 3:11 PM

Global Markets – European stocks fall as Nvidia slump hits tech sector

European stocks fell on Tuesday after a 7% drop in chipmaker Nvidia dragged down U.S. tech companies on Monday, in a sign of nervousness about the artificial intelligence boom. Stock markets remained close to record highs, however, as investors shifted into less flashy names. Bond yields cooled and Japan's yen stayed under pressure. Investors' attention is being pulled in multiple directions, with snap elections in France starting at the weekend; the first U.S. Presidential debate on Thursday;...

May 20, 2024 12:44 PM

Global stocks, metals surge as rate cut expectations firm

Asian shares hit two-year highs while copper and gold struck records on Monday as investors wagered on interest rate cuts around the corner and China stepping up efforts to steady its ailing property sector. Brent crude futures rose to a one-week high of $84.25 a barrel after a helicopter crash killed Iran's president and Saudi Arabian state news flagged a health issue for the king, threatening fresh instability in the Middle East. Gold climbed more than 1% to $2,449.89 and copper futures ...

May 10, 2024 2:01 PM

Asia stocks rally on renewed global rate cut optimism

Asian stocks rose on Friday, on course for a third week of gains, while the dollar was steady as fresh signs of an easing U.S. labour market stoked optimism around interest rate cuts this year ahead of next week's crucial inflation data. Sterling was steady at $1.2515, having touched a more than two-week low of $1.2446 on Thursday after Bank of England (BoE) paved the way for the start of rate cuts as soon as next month. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.66% a...