global markets

Asian shares rise as investor focus turns to US payrolls

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was 0.46% higher after dropping 2.3% on Thursday. Japan's Nikkei was choppy and last up 0.1%.

Wall Street closes near flat as Treasury yields surge

The benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury yield rose as high as 4.198% during the session, the highest since November, extending its climb from a day earlier following Fitch's downgrade of the top-tier U.S. credit rating. In late afternoon trade, the 10-year yield had dipped below 4.194.

Asian shares hesitant after Wall Street sell-off, dollar buoyant

In Asia, MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.2%, having also suffered a colossal drop of 2.3% just a day earlier. That compared with a 5.4% monthly gain in July.

Wall Street ends down, investors step back after Fitch US rating cut

Fitch downgraded the United States to AA+ from AAA late on Tuesday, citing expected fiscal deterioration over the next three years as well as growing government debt. Fitch was the second major agency to cut the country's rating. In 2011 Standard & Poor's stripped the country of its triple-A grade.

Markets drop as US downgrade jolts latest rally

However, high hopes that the Federal Reserve was at or near the end of its interest rate hiking cycle and a still-resilient economy meant the mood on trading floors remained broadly upbeat, analysts said.

Asian stocks fall, Treasuries gain after Fitch downgrades US rating

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares fell 0.5%. Japan's Nikkei slid by 1.2%, while Australian shares edged down 0.5%.

US stocks mixed as traders mull earnings, await jobs data

US manufacturing activity contracted for a ninth straight month in July, according to the Institute for Supply Management, as the impact of higher interest rates rippled through the world's largest economy.

Asia stocks near 16-month peak on economic optimism, Aussie eases before RBA

The dollar hit a three-week high against the yen as investors continued to seek clarity on the Bank of Japan's recent adjustment to its yield curve control and what that might mean for monetary policy.

Hedge Funds ‘throwing in towel’ on stocks as rally forces unwind

The rush to tweak positions was frantic enough to push total client stock flows to the highest level since the retail-fomented short squeeze in 2021.

Wall Street finishes strong month on upbeat company earnings

All three major stock indexes ended with gains for the month, ahead of a busy week of earnings reports from companies including Amazon.com (AMZN.O) and Apple (AAPL.O), plus U.S. economic data including the jobs report.

Stocks are doing so well that it may be time to start worrying

The S&P 500 Index has gained 19% this year, pushing investors off the sidelines and into the market. Traders’ stock exposure is historically high, in the top 28% of all time, according to Deutsche Bank’s analysis of rules-based and discretionary strategies going back to 2010.

Asia shares extend gains; wary eye on Japan yields

The early impetus for shares was positive following Friday's U.S. data showing an easing in wage costs and core inflation, which fuelled hopes the Federal Reserve was done tightening.

Wall Street ends week higher on US soft landing hopes

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 176.37 points, or 0.5%, to 35,459.09, the S&P 500 gained 44.76 points, or 0.99%, to 4,582.17 and the Nasdaq Composite added 266.55 points, or 1.9%, to 14,316.66.

Asian stocks slip, yen surges on speculation of Bank of Japan policy tweak

The BOJ sets policy later in the session. The Nikkei newspaper reported, without citing sources, that policymakers will discuss tweaking the yield control policy to allow 10-year government bond yields above a 0.5% cap in some circumstances.

Wall Street closes down, Dow snaps longest winning streak since 1987

The Nikkei newspaper reported the central bank will maintain its 0.5% cap for the 10-year government bond yield, but discuss allowing long-term interest rates to rise above that level by a certain degree. Reuters confirmed the central bank may make minor tweaks to extend the lifespan of its yield control policy.

Asian shares climb after Fed hikes as expected; eyes on Europe, Japan

S&P 500 futures rose 0.2% while Nasdaq futures gained 0.5%, helped by a 6.8% jump in Meta Platforms in after-hours trading. Facebook's parent company reported a strong rise in advertising revenue, topping Wall Street targets.

Asian shares mostly weaker as markets mull Fed rate rise

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was flat, after U.S. stocks ended the previous session with mild gains. The index is up 3.8% so far this month.

US stocks end higher as markets await Fed rate decision

The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.1 percent higher at 35,437.93, extending its winning streak for a 12th straight session.

Asia shares rally after China pledges economic support steps

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was 1.2% higher and on course to snap a six-day losing streak. Japan's Nikkei fell 0.22%.

US stock markets mixed before key rate calls

Wall Street's top indices pushed higher, with the Dow climbing 0.5 percent for its 11th straight positive session.

The bear market has nearly been erased, fewer than 20 months after it began

And yet fewer than 20 months after it began, the bear market that engulfed the S&P 500 is a mere 260 points from being completely erased.

Asia shares on tenterhooks for Fed, ECB and BOJ

Markets are fully priced for quarter point hikes from the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank, so the focus will be on what Fed Chair Jerome Powell and ECB President Christine Lagarde say about the future.

Asian shares fall after US tech falters, dollar and yields hold gains

As well as the U.S. Federal Reserve meeting next week, the Bank of Japan will meet amid speculation of imminent policy tweaks. Early on Friday, Japan's inflation stayed above the central bank's target of 2% for the 15th straight month in June, but gains matched a median market forecast.

Tesla, Netflix pull Nasdaq and S&P lower, Dow ends higher

Tesla's (TSLA.O) shares tumbled 9.74%, its biggest one-day percentage drop since April 20, after the electric-vehicle maker reported a drop in its second-quarter gross margins to a four-year low and CEO Elon Musk hinted at more price cuts.