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VWO - Government Trades

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF

Financial Services

Basic Materials

Consumer Cyclical

Technology

Other

Communication Services

Industrials

Energy

Consumer Defensive

Healthcare

Utilities

Real Estate

The fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index. It invests by sampling the index, meaning that it holds a broadly diversified collection of securities that, in the aggregate, approximates the index in terms of key characteristics.

Advanced Petrochemical Co

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

Reliance Industries Ltd

PDD Holdings Inc

Meituan Dianping

Macro,Shot,Of,Computer,Monitor,With,World,Stock,Market,Chart

Asia

News

Emerging Markets

Eurozone

Commodities

Forex

Markets

ADIV

AGOV

ASHR

BBEU

BOIL

CQQQ

PowerShares DBmmodity Index Optimum Yield Diversified Fund

EEMA

FLAX

CurrencyShares British Pound Sterling Trust

IEMG

IEUR

KraneShares Trust KraneShares S&P Pan Asia Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF

KDIV

SPEM

USDU

PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund

 1.1655.The euro was down 0.26% against the U.S. dollar at $1.1701.The British pound fell 0.24% to $1.3749, and the USD/CAD rose 0.30% to 1.2548.U.S. markets closed lower on 2/20 due to tariff fears &amp; Walmart&#39;s weak forecast. Gold surged, while major indexes declined. Asia markets mixed.

Asia Markets Mixed, Europe Rebounds; Dollar Heads For Third Weekly Drop - Global Markets Today While US Slept

Futures

U.S. markets closed higher with S&amp;P 500 at record high. Fed held rates, Trump announced tariffs. Building permits up, housing starts down. Fed cautious on rate cuts due to inflation and trade policies. Healthcare sector saw highest increase, Dow and S&amp;P 500 up, Nasdaq slightly up. Asian markets mixed, Europe and commodities up, U.S. futures down. U.S. dollar index down.

Global Markets Mixed, Dollar Dips As Traders React To Trump&#39;s Tariff Plans - Global Markets Today While US Slept

US markets close in green, S&amp;P 500 hits record high. Fed signals steady rate policy, data shows manufacturing index rise. Asia markets mixed.

Asia Ex-China And Europe Markets Dip, Dollar Strengthens - Global Markets Today While US Slept

U.S. markets closed mixed on Friday, with Nasdaq reaching a record high. Yields fell and S&amp;P sectors ended lower. On Tuesday, Asian markets showed mixed results. European markets were mostly flat. Crude oil and gold prices rose, while the U.S. dollar strengthened.

Asia And Europe Markets Mixed, Oil Edges Higher After Pipeline Attack - Global Markets Today While US Slept

US markets close higher as producer prices rise, Treasury yields fall. Asia markets mixed with Nikkei down, Hang Seng up. Oil prices rebound.

Asia And Europe Markets Mixed, Gold Advances - Global Markets Today While US Slept

US markets close mixed as inflation data raises concerns about delayed Fed rate cuts. Japanese and European markets gain, while oil prices edge lower.

Asia Markets Mixed, Europe Hits Highs On Earnings; Oil Dips On Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks - Global Markets Today While US Slept

US markets closed mixed, with gains in Coca-Cola and Apple offsetting Tesla&#39;s decline. Fed Chair Powell not in rush for rate cuts. Volatility likely.

Asia Ex-India And Europe Markets Advance, Gold Retreats From All Time High - Global Markets Today While US Slept

US markets close higher on Monday, driven by gains in AI-related stocks. Steelmakers rally after Trump announces new tariffs. Global growth concerns.

Asia Markets And Europe Mixed, Gold Near All Time High - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Friday, U.S. markets closed lower after Trump announced reciprocal tariffs and weak economic data. S&amp;P 500 sectors all fell, while European markets opened optimistically. Gold hit record highs amid trade war concerns.

Asia Markets Mixed, Europe Advances, Gold Hits Record High On Safe-Haven Demand - Global Markets Today While US Slept

U.S. markets closed mixed with S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq gaining, while Dow slipped. Economic data exceeded expectations, while commodities and futures showed mixed results. Markets await key reports and events.

Asia And Europe Markets Mixed; Dollar Steady Ahead of Key Data - Global Markets Today While US Slept

Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond ETF

On Thursday, February 20, U.S. markets closed lower as investor confidence weakened due to growing tariff concerns and Walmart&#8217;s disappointing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43846469/walmart-q4-earnings-shine-but-soft-fy26-outlook-disappoints-street" rel="noreferrer noopener">sales and profit outlook</a>. All major indexes declined, with the Dow experiencing the steepest drop, while the S&amp;P 500 ended its streak of record highs. Gold prices surged to a historic peak as investors sought safer assets amid rising economic uncertainty. Walmart&#8217;s weaker forecast signaled potential declines in consumer spending, amplifying worries about economic growth.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/02/43875446/walmarts-ai-use-cases-surge-amid-strong-q4-even-as-company-forecasts-weaker-2026" rel="noreferrer noopener">Walmart Expands AI Use Beyond Optimizing Delivery Routes, To Tackling Inventory Issues And Delivering Code Faster</a>
In economic data, initial jobless claims rose by 5,000 to 219,000 for the week ending February 15, slightly above the expected 215,000. The Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index fell sharply to 18.1 in February from 44.3 the prior month.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors declined, led by financial, consumer discretionary, and consumer staples, while energy and real estate stocks closed higher.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.01% to close at 44,176.65, while the S&amp;P 500 slid 0.43% to 6,117.52. The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.47%, finishing at 19,962.36.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Friday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 rose 0.28% to close at 38,784.00, led by gains in the Gas and water, Transport, and Marine Transport sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 declined 0.32% to 8,296.20, led by losses in the Consumer Discretionary, Telecoms Services and Financials sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 slipped 0.65% to 22,763.95, and the Nifty 500 declined 0.84% to close at 20,656.30, led by losses in the Auto, Oil &amp; Gas, and Real Estate sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite rose 0.85% to 3,379.11, and the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 gained 1.26%, ending at 3,978.44.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng surged 3.99% to close at 23,477.92.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.33%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX gained 0.03%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC rose 0.47%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded higher by 0.10%</li>
<li>European shares rose Friday as investors assessed economic data and Germany&#8217;s upcoming election. The STOXX 600 rebounded but eyed weekly losses.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 1.06% at $71.71/bbl, and Brent was down 1.02% at $75.71/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices dipped Friday but remained on track for weekly gains amid supply concerns in Russia and rising demand in the U.S. and China. The market focus stayed on supply disruptions and geopolitical tensions.</li>
<li>Natural Gas gained 3.95% to $4.316.</li>
<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.38% at $2,944.99, Silver was down 0.47% to $33.325, and Copper fell 0.89% to $4.5713.       </li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were up 0.11%, S&amp;P 500 futures gained 0.02%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.11%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. dollar index gained 0.29% to 106.67, the USD/JPY rose 0.45% to 150.38, and the USD/AUD rose 0.21% to 1.5656.</li>
<li>The dollar headed for a third weekly drop as Trump&#8217;s tariff threats remained largely rhetoric, while the yen surged on rising Japanese inflation before the BOJ intervened.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

On Wednesday, February 19th, U.S. markets closed higher, with the S&amp;P 500 reaching a second consecutive record high as investors examined Fed meeting minutes and Trump&#8217;s proposed tariffs.
The Fed held rates steady but voiced concerns over inflation and trade policies. Trump announced 25% tariffs on autos, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals.
According to economic data, in January, U.S. building permits rose to 1.483M (vs. 1.460M est.), while housing starts fell to 1.366M (vs. 1.390M est.). Redbook YoY retail sales grew 6.3%, up from 5.3%, with early February at 5.8%.
The Fed&#8217;s January meeting minutes highlighted policymakers&#8217; cautious stance on rate cuts, citing uncertainty in inflation trends. Officials stressed the need for more evidence before lowering rates, considering Trump&#8217;s tariffs, immigration policies, and geopolitical risks.
Related: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43829352/fomc-minutes" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fed Minutes Reveal Officials See &#8216;High Degree Of Uncertainty&#8217; Requiring &#8216;A Careful Approach&#8217; On Rate Cuts</a>
Of the 11 key sectors in the S&amp;P 500, healthcare saw the highest percentage increase, while materials and financials underperformed.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 0.16% to close at 44,627.59, while the S&amp;P 500 gained 0.24% to 6,144.15. The Nasdaq Composite added 0.07%, finishing at 20,056.25.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Thursday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 fell 1.29% to close at 38,675.50, led by losses in the Manufacturing, Retail and Communication sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 declined 1.15% to 8,322.80, led by losses in the A-REITs, Healthcare, and Financials sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 slipped 0.12% to 22,906.25, while the Nifty 500 gained 0.44% to close at 20,822.60. The decline was led by losses in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods, Healthcare, and Banking sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite slid 0.02% to 3,350.78, and the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 declined 0.29%, ending at 3,928.90.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng dipped 1.60% to close at 22,576.98.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.62%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX gained 0.54%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC rose 0.67%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded lower by 0.24%</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.11% at $72.18/bbl, and Brent was up 0.14% at $76.15/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices rebounded despite a U.S. crude stock buildup, supported by supply disruptions in Kazakhstan and OPEC+ delays. Russia&#8217;s pipeline outage cut supply by 380,000 barrels per day, while potential Iraqi exports and Trump&#8217;s tariffs added market uncertainty.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 2.78% to $4.160.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 1.21% at $2,971.31, Silver was up 2.04% to $33.718, and Copper rose 1.18% to $4.6165.     </li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were down 0.11%, S&amp;P 500 futures declined 0.15%, and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.16%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
The U.S. Dollar Index slid 0.28% to 106.89, USD/JPY was down 0.87% to 150.13, and USD/AUD fell 0.53% to 1.5677.

Global Markets Mixed, Dollar Dips As Traders React To Trump's Tariff Plans - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Tuesday, February 18, U.S. markets closed in the green, with the S&amp;P 500 reaching a record high amid a quiet session as investors awaited Fed minutes and retail earnings. Fed officials signaled a steady rate policy due to inflation concerns. Markets remain cautious as price growth accelerates and consumer sentiment weakens, with no immediate pressure on the Fed to cut rates.
In economic data, the NY Empire State Manufacturing Index rose 18.3 points in February to +5.7, surpassing market expectations of -1.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors advanced, led by energy, materials, and utilities, while communication services and consumer discretionary stocks declined.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 0.02% to close at 44,556.34, while the S&amp;P 500 gained 0.24% to 6,129.58. The Nasdaq Composite added 0.07%, finishing at 20,041.26.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Wednesday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 fell 0.34% to close at 39,182.00, weighed down by losses in the Rubber, Marine Transport, and Retail sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 declined 0.73% to 8,419.20, dragged lower by Energy, Financials, and Consumer Staples.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 slipped 0.13% to 22,916.15, while the Nifty 500 gained 0.51% to close at 20,717.00. The decline was led by losses in the Technology, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods, and Healthcare sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite rose 0.81% to 3,351.54, while the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 added 0.70%, ending at 3,940.16.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng dipped 0.14% to close at 22,944.24.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was down 0.32%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX declined 0.38%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC fell 0.45%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded lower by 0.26%</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.78% at $72.39/bbl, and Brent was up 0.69% at $76.36/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices rose due to supply concerns in the U.S. and Russia and uncertainty over Ukraine peace talks. Brent crude and WTI gained as cold weather, a Ukrainian drone attack, and potential OPEC+ decisions supported prices.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 0.37% to $3.992.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.47% at $2,962.69, Silver was up 0.61% to $33.557, and Copper rose 0.23% to $4.6015.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were down 0.02%, S&amp;P 500 futures declined 0.06%, and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.07%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. Dollar Index rose 0.12% to 107.21, USD/JPY was down 0.18% to 151.74, and USD/AUD slid 0.01% to 1.5743.</li>
<li>The dollar remained stable Wednesday while the yen strengthened amid Ukraine ceasefire talks and new U.S. tariff threats.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

On Friday, February 14, U.S. markets closed mixed, with Nvidia and Apple advancing while Microsoft and Amazon declined. The Nasdaq 100 reached a record high.
Treasury yields fell following weaker retail sales data. Investors remained focused on Trump&#8217;s proposed reciprocal tariffs and broader economic policy moves, adding to market uncertainty amid recent inflation data and Federal Reserve commentary.
Economic data showed that January retail sales declined by 0.9% from the previous month, a significantly steeper drop than the expected 0.1% decrease.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors ended lower on Friday, led by losses in healthcare, consumer staples, and utilities, while technology and communication stocks bucked the trend and closed higher.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.37% to close at 44,546.08, while the S&amp;P 500 edged down 0.01% to 6,114.63. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.41%, finishing at 20,026.77.
U.S. markets were closed on Monday, February 17, in observance of Washington&#8217;s Birthday.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Tuesday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 rose 0.28%, closing at 39,316.00, driven by gains in the Shipbuilding, Rubber, and Manufacturing sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 declined 0.66% to 8,481.00, weighed down by losses in the Energy, Financials, and Consumer Discretionary sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s central bank cut rates to 4.1% for the first time in four years but signaled caution on further easing. The move aids borrowers and may influence Prime Minister Albanese&#8217;s election timing.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 fell 0.15% to 22,924.50, and the Nifty 500 slid 0.35% to close at 20,582.05, led by losses in the Consumer Durables, Capital Goods, and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite dropped 0.91% to 3,325.32, while the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 declined 0.87% to 3,912.89.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng gained 1.59%, closing the session at 22,976.81.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.01%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX declined 0.11%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC rose 0.03%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded higher by 0.09%</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 1.47% at $71.74/bbl, and Brent was up 0.75% at $75.77/bbl.</li>
<li>Brent crude edged higher after a drone attack on a Russian pipeline disrupted oil flows from Kazakhstan. However, gains were limited due to expected OPEC+ supply increases and uncertainty in Chinese demand.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 3.38% to $3.599.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.79% at $2,923.59, Silver was up 0.44% to $32.995, and Copper slid 1.37% to $4.6005.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were up 0.02%, S&amp;P 500 futures gained 0.24%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.35%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. dollar index rose 0.20% to 106.94, the USD/JPY was up 0.15% to 151.73, and the USD/AUD slid 0.06% to 1.5722.</li>
<li>The U.S. dollar strengthened as traders assessed tariff uncertainties, geopolitical risks, and the Federal Reserve&#8217;s cautious approach to rate cuts. The Australian dollar hovered near a two-month high after the Reserve Bank of Australia cut rates by 25 basis points to 4.10%.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

On Thursday, U.S. markets closed higher, boosted by Nvidia, Apple, and Tesla, after Trump proposed reciprocal tariffs. Stocks gained as producer prices rose while core inflation remained stable. Treasury yields fell, indicating confidence in cooling inflation. The Nasdaq and Dow also advanced, with the S&amp;P marking its strongest rise since mid-January.
According to economic data, the Producer Price Index rose 3.5% annually, the highest since early 2023, exceeding forecasts. Monthly growth also surpassed expectations at 0.4%. Core PPI, excluding food and energy, increased by 3.6% yearly and 0.3% monthly, both above projections.
All eleven S&amp;P 500 sector indexes advanced, with materials leading the gains and consumer discretionary, which also saw a strong increase.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.77% and closed at 44,711.43, the S&amp;P 500 closed higher by 1.04% at 6,115.07, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.50% to finish at 19,945.64.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Friday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed lower by 0.79%, ending the session at 39,164.50. Losses in the Textile, Transportation Equipment, and Chemical, Petroleum, and plastic sectors led the decline.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 rose 0.19% to 8,555.80, led by gains in the Consumer Staples, Gold, and IT sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed lower by 0.58% at 22,897.25, and Nifty 500 slid by 1.45%, closing at 20,600.25, led by losses in the Capital Goods, Power, and Public Sector Undertakings sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite gained 0.43% and closed at 3,346.72, while Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 was down 0.87% at 3,939.01.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng closed the session higher by 3.69% at 22,620.33.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was down 0.01%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX declined 0.37%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC rose 0.20%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded lower by 0.30%</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.13% at $71.38/bbl, and Brent was up 0.25% at $75.21/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices rebounded, ending weeks of decline, supported by rising fuel demand and delayed U.S. tariffs. Market optimism grew over potential trade agreements, but gains remained limited amid possible Russian supply increases.</li>
<li>Natural Gas gained 1.76% to $3.692.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.51% at $2,960.31, Silver was up 4.05% to $34.045, and Copper slid 0.03% to $4.7770.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were down 0.28%, S&amp;P 500 futures declined 0.11% and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.06%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. Dollar Index fell 0.07% to 106.98, USD/JPY was down 0.20% to 152.52, and USD/AUD slid 0.31% to 1.5780.</li>
<li>As delayed reciprocal tariffs eased market concerns, the U.S. dollar steadied near a three-week low. Inflation fears softened after a producer price report, while optimism around Ukraine-Russia peace talks boosted the euro.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

On Wednesday, U.S. markets closed mixed, with the S&amp;P 500 declining as unexpectedly high inflation data heightened concerns about delayed Fed rate cuts. Nvidia and Amazon weakened, weighing on the index, while strong earnings lifted CVS and Gilead. Inflation worries also challenged Trump&#8217;s tariff plans, adding to market uncertainty.
In economic data, January&#8217;s CPI rose faster than expected, hitting 3% year-over-year and exceeding forecasts. Monthly inflation climbed 0.5%, the highest since August 2023, accelerating from December&#8217;s 0.4% increase.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors declined, with materials, energy, and real estate stocks falling, while consumer staples and communication services outperformed and closed higher.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.50% and closed at 44,368.56, the S&amp;P 500 closed lower by 0.27% at 6,051.97, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.03% to finish at 19,649.95.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Wednesday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed higher by 1.26%, ending the session at 39,475.50, led by gains in the Steel, Mining, and Communication sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 rose 0.06% to 8,540.00, led by gains in the Metals &amp; Mining, Materials and Resources sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed lower by 0.12% at 23,016.80, and the Nifty 500 slid 0.10%, closing at 20,886.85, led by losses in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods, Healthcare, and Technology sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite declined 0.42% and closed at 3,332.48, and Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 went down 0.38% at 3,905.14               .</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng closed the session lower by 0.20% at 21,814.37.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 1.22%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX gained 1.44%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC rose 1.28%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded lower by 0.68%</li>
<li>European shares hit record highs Thursday, driven by strong earnings from Nestlé and Siemens, alongside optimism over U.S.-Russia peace talks on Ukraine. Automobiles surged, while Britain&#8217;s FTSE dipped, dragged by Unilever.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 1.46% at $70.33/bbl, and Brent was down 1.36% at $74.16/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices edged lower as potential Russia-Ukraine peace talks and rising U.S. crude inventories pressured the market. Optimism over eased supply risks outweighed inflation concerns despite recent tightening supply trends.</li>
<li>Natural Gas gained 3.39% to $3.686.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.53% at $2,944.81, Silver was up 0.15% to $32.835, and Copper rose 0.06% to $4.7077.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were up 0.04%, S&amp;P 500 futures gained 0.01%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.16%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. Dollar Index fell 0.34% to 107.64, USD/JPY was down 0.36% to 153.79, and USD/AUD rose 0.18% to 1.5954.</li>
<li>The U.S. dollar weakened as hopes for a Russia-Ukraine peace deal lifted sentiment, boosting the euro and ruble. Meanwhile, Japan&#8217;s yen strengthened due to rising inflation, and the U.K. GDP unexpectedly grew.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

On Tuesday, February 11, U.S. markets closed mixed, with gains in Coca-Cola and Apple countering Tesla&#8217;s decline. Fed Chair Powell signaled no urgency for rate cuts, citing a strong economy. Investors monitored potential new tariffs after Trump raised steel and aluminum levies. Heightened uncertainty points to increased market volatility.
Related: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43636959/tesla-stock-is-tumbling-tuesday-whats-driving-the-action" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Stock Is Tumbling Tuesday: What&#8217;s Driving The Action?</a>
In economic data, The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index dropped to 102.8 in January, down from 105.1 in the prior month and falling short of the projected 104.6.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors rose Tuesday, led by consumer staples, energy, and real estate, while consumer discretionary and health care declined.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.28% and closed at 44,593.65, the S&amp;P 500 closed higher by 0.03% at 6,068.50, while the Nasdaq Composite slid 0.36% to finish at 19,643.86.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Wednesday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed higher by 0.47%, ending the session at 38,984.50, led by gains in the Shipbuilding, Paper &amp; Pulp, and Non-Metal Minerals sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 rose 0.60% to 8,535.30, led by gains in the Industrials, Financials and Consumer Staples sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed lower by 0.06% at 23,057.80, and the Nifty 500 slid 0.16%, closing at 20,917.65. The losses were led by the Real Estate, Auto, and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite gained 0.8% and closed at 3,346.39, and Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 was up 0.95% at 3,919.86                 .</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng closed the session higher by 2.64% at 21,857.92.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.13%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX gained 0.25%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC rose 0.14%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded higher by 0.04%</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 1.16% at $72.45/bbl, and Brent was down 0.99% at $76.25/bbl.</li>
<li>Crude oil prices declined as rising U.S. stockpiles and hawkish comments from the Federal Reserve signaled slower rate cuts, weighing on sentiment. Concerns over demand and economic uncertainty persisted while the Energy Information Administration raised its U.S. production forecast.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 0.85% to $3.492.</li>
<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.84% at $2,908.29, Silver was down 0.45% to $32.170, and Copper slid 0.07% to $4.5977.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were down 0.17%, S&amp;P 500 futures declined 0.15% and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.07%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. Dollar Index gained 0.05% to 107.98, USD/JPY was up 0.78% to 153.64, and USD/AUD rose 0.28% to 1.5932.</li>
<li>The dollar held steady as traders awaited U.S. inflation data, with Powell&#8217;s hawkish stance lifting Treasury yields. Yen weakened, while tariff concerns and market uncertainty influenced currency movements and rate cut expectations.</li>
</ul>
Also Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43631776/apple-teams-up-with-alibaba-for-ai-innovation-in-china-submits-ai-features-for-regulatory-approval" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple&#8217;s AI Split: Chooses Alibaba For China And OpenAI For Everyone Else</a></li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

On Monday, February 10, U.S. markets closed higher, driven by gains in Nvidia and other AI-related stocks. Steelmakers rallied after President Trump announced new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. U.S. metals producers saw substantial gains, with companies like Nucor, U.S. Steel, and Steel Dynamics rising sharply. Investors remain optimistic as corporate earnings surpass expectations, signaling stronger growth than initially projected for the year ahead.
Regarding economic data, U.S. consumer inflation expectations for the upcoming year remained unchanged at 3% in January for the third consecutive month.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors rose Monday, with energy, tech, and utilities leading the way, while financial and utilities stocks declined.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.38% and closed at 44,470.41, the S&amp;P 500 closed higher by 0.67% at 6,066.44, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.98% to finish at 19,714.27.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>Japan markets closed for the National Day holiday.</li>
<li>On Tuesday, Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 rose 0.01% to 8,484.00, led by gains in the Gold, Industrials and IT sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed lower by 1.33% at 23,070.50, and Nifty 500 slid 2.01%, closing at 20,942.50, led by losses in the Real Estate, Capital Goods and Auto sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite fell 0.12% and closed at 3,318.06; Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 was down 0.46% at 3,883.14.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng closed the session higher by 1.06% at 21,294.86.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.09%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX declined 0.01%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC gained 0.07%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE index 100 traded lower by 0.01%</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 1.34% at $73.30/bbl, and Brent was up 1.38% at $76.92/bbl.</li>
<li>Crude oil prices rose amid supply concerns from Russian and Iranian sanctions, despite fears that Trump&#8217;s tariffs and potential trade wars could slow global growth.</li>
<li>Natural Gas gained 1.77% to $3.505.</li>
<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.05% at $2,933.01, Silver was down 0.83% to $32.220, and Copper slid 1.87% to $4.6190.</li>
<li>Gold surged to record highs as Trump&#8217;s 25% steel and aluminum tariffs fueled trade conflict and inflation concerns. Investors sought safe-haven assets while Chinese steel stocks fell and global exporters weighed responses.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were down 0.20%, S&amp;P 500 futures declined 0.31%, and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.43%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
The U.S. Dollar Index declined 0.04% to 108.29, USD/JPY was up 0.07% to 152.12, and USD/AUD fell 0.01% to 1.5933.
Image via Shutterstock

On Friday, February 7, U.S. markets closed lower after Trump announced plans for reciprocal tariffs amid weak jobs data and declining consumer sentiment. Despite early struggles, strong earnings provided some support. Consumer sentiment hit a seven-month low, inflation expectations surged, and job growth slowed, reinforcing expectations that the Fed will delay rate cuts until June.
The University of Michigan reported a sharp rise in inflation expectations, with the one-year outlook hitting 4.3%, the highest since November 2023. February&#8217;s jobs report showed mixed results: job growth slowed, but unemployment dropped more than expected, and wages surged.
All S&amp;P 500 sectors ended in the red, led by losses in communication services, consumer discretionary, and materials stocks.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.99% and closed at 44,303.40, the S&amp;P 500 closed lower by 0.95% at 6,025.99, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.36% to finish at 19,523.40.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Monday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed lower by 0.12% at 38,770.50, led by losses in the Glass, Retail and Real Estate sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 declined 0.34% to 8,482.80, led by losses in the IT, Telecoms Services and Materials sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed lower by 0.78% at 23,376.05, and Nifty 500 slid 1.32%, closing at 21,360.55, led by losses in the Real Estate, Metals, and Consumer Durables sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite rose 0.56% and closed at 3,322.17, and Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 was up 0.21% at 3,901.06.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng closed the session higher by 1.84% at 21,521.98.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.37%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX rose 0.31%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC gained 0.26%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE index 100 traded higher by 0.47%</li>
<li>European stocks opened higher on Monday despite Trump&#8217;s new tariff announcement. Markets remain optimistic amid strong earnings growth, cheap valuations, and hopes for ECB easing. Nokia appointed Justin Hotard as its new CEO.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 1.17% at $71.81/bbl, and Brent was up 1.15% at $75.50/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices rose, rebounding from last week&#8217;s losses amid trade war concerns. Sanctions on Russia and Iran add upside risks, but analysts expect oil to trade lower, with Brent forecasted at $60-$65 per barrel in late 2025.</li>
<li>Natural Gas gained 3.35% to $3.420.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 1.46% at $2,930.21, Silver was up 0.95% to $32.750, and Copper rose 0.69% to $4.6200.</li>
<li>Gold hit record highs as Trump&#8217;s new tariffs fueled safe-haven demand. Markets remain cautious over potential trade war escalation, while strong U.S. inflation data and high interest rates could limit further gold gains.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Dow futures were up 0.28%, S&amp;P 500 futures gained 0.40%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.62%.</li>
<li>U.S. stock futures rose, led by steelmakers after Trump announced new tariffs. Investors remain cautious but less reactive to trade moves.</li>
</ul>
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
The U.S. Dollar Index gained 0.10% to 108.15, USD/JPY was up 0.52% to 152.19, and USD/AUD fell 0.14% to 1.5921.
Image via Shutterstock

On Thursday, February 6, U.S. markets closed mixed, with the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq gaining while the Dow slipped amid a volatile session. Investors assessed corporate earnings and awaited key economic reports. Amazon rose 1.1% before its earnings, beating revenue estimates but missing cloud sales, only to fall in the after hours. Eli Lilly, Tapestry, and Philip Morris surged on strong forecasts, while Honeywell fell on restructuring plans.
In economic data, U.S. initial jobless claims rose by 11,000 to 219,000 in the last week of January, exceeding the expected 213,000. Unit labor costs increased by 3.0% in Q4 after a 0.5% rise in Q3, while nonfarm business sector productivity grew 1.2%, down from a revised 2.3% in the prior quarter.
The S&amp;P 500 saw gains across most sectors, driven by consumer staples, technology, and financial stocks, while energy and healthcare lagged, closing lower.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.28% and closed at 44,747.63, the S&amp;P 500 closed higher by 0.36% at 6,083.57, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.51% to finish at 19,791.99.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Friday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed lower by 0.60% at 38,819.00, led by losses in the Communication, Automobiles &amp; Parts and Machinery sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 declined 0.11% to 8,511.40, led by losses in the Energy, Gold and Healthcare sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed lower by 0.18% at 23,561.25, and the Nifty 500 slid 0.14%, closing at 21,641.15. The losses were led by losses in the Oil and gas, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods, and Healthcare sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite rose 1.01% and closed at 3,303.67, while Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 rose 1.30% at 3,892.70.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng closed the session higher by 1.16% at 21,133.54.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was down 0.23%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX rose 0.04%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC declined 0.16%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE index 100 traded lower by 0.24%</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.79% at $71.17/bbl, and Brent was up 0.81% at $74.90/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices rose after new U.S. sanctions on Iran but remained on track for a third consecutive weekly decline due to trade war concerns.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 0.73% to $3.383.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.51% at $2,891.51, Silver was up 0.28% to $32.722, and Copper rose 1.30% to $4.5198.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were up 0.06%, S&amp;P 500 futures declined 0.01% and Nasdaq 100 futures slid 0.04%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. Dollar Index gained 0.04% to 107.74, USD/JPY was up 0.49% to 152.09, and USD/AUD fell 0.09% to 1.5899.</li>
<li>The U.S. dollar held steady ahead of payroll data, while the yen hit a nine-week high on BoJ rate hike bets. Markets eye U.S. job figures and Fed policy, while geopolitical tensions and trade developments add uncertainty.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

On Wednesday, February 5th, U.S. markets closed in green as investors overlooked Alphabet&#8217;s decline and focused on potential Federal Reserve rate cuts. AI-related stocks showed signs of recovery, with major chipmakers rebounding. AMD struggled due to weaker data center sales. Market attention now shifts to upcoming economic data and Fed policy expectations.
According to economic data, the U.S. trade deficit widened to $98.4 billion in December from $78.9 billion, exceeding the $96.6 billion forecast. The ISM services PMI fell to 52.8 in January from 54, missing the expected 54.3.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors rose, led by real estate, tech, and financials, while communication services and consumer discretionary declined.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.71% and closed at 44,873.28, the S&amp;P 500 closed higher by 0.39% at 6,061.48, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.19% to finish at 19,692.33.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Thursday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed higher by 0.63% at 39,054.50, led by gains in the Manufacturing, Steel, Automobiles &amp; Parts sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 gained 1.23% to 8,520.70, led by gains in the Financials, Consumer Discretionary and Gold sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed lower by 0.29% at 23,628.20, and the Nifty 500 slid 0.47%, closing at 21,682.90. The losses were led by fall in the Real Estate, Consumer Durables, and Public Sector Undertakings sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite rose 1.30% and closed at 3,271.43, while Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 rose 1.28% at 3,843.49.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng closed the session higher by 1.43% at 20,891.62.</li>
<li>China has filed a WTO complaint against Trump&#8217;s new 10% tariffs and de minimis exemption removal, citing protectionism. The move disrupts shipping, triggers trade uncertainty and fuels U.S.-China tensions.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.74%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX rose 1.02%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC gained 0.77%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE index 100 traded higher by 1.30%</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.92% at $71.69/bbl, and Brent was up 0.82% at $75.24/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices edged up after Saudi Arabia raised March prices but remained near three-month lows due to U.S. crude stockpile builds and U.S.-China trade tariffs, including duties on energy products.</li>
<li>Natural Gas gained 0.21% to $3.367.</li>
<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.31% at $2,883.69, Silver was down 1.14% to $32.517, and Copper rose 0.93% to $4.4860.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were up 0.35%, S&amp;P 500 futures gained 0.22%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.17%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. Dollar Index gained 0.33% to 107.42, USD/JPY was up 0.01% to 152.60, and USD/AUD rose 0.31% to 1.5960.</li>
<li>The U.S. dollar rose amid tariff uncertainty, while sterling weakened ahead of a Bank of England rate decision. Markets await U.S. job data, influencing future currency movements and global trade sentiment.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia Markets Mixed, Europe Advances; Crude Oil Near Three-Month Low - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Tuesday, February 4, U.S. markets closed higher, driven by energy sector gains, as optimism grew over a potential U.S.-China trade breakthrough. Trump delayed Mexico-Canada tariffs but imposed new levies on China, prompting retaliation. Strong corporate earnings lifted sentiment, with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/earnings-beats/25/02/43468342/palantir-rockets-on-strong-q4-2024-was-only-a-dress-rehearsal-for-ai-growth-says-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palantir surging 24%.</a> Fed officials warned of inflation risks from tariffs, while job openings missed expectations.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43485885/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-defends-palantirs-valuation-amid-24-surge-says-ai-firms-cash-flow-justifies-expensive-price" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;Pharma Bro&#8217; Martin Shkreli Defends Palantir&#8217;s Valuation Amid 24% Surge, Says AI Firm&#8217;s Cash Flow Justifies &#8216;Expensive&#8217; Price</a>.
In economic data, U.S. job openings fell by 556,000 to 7.6 million in December, missing estimates of 8.0 million. Factory orders dropped 0.9% to $578.5 billion, following a revised 0.8% decline in November.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors ended higher, led by energy, tech, and communication services, while utilities and consumer staples declined.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.30% and closed at 44,556.04, the S&amp;P 500 closed higher by 0.72% at 6,037.88, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.35% to finish at 19,654.02.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Wednesday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed higher by 0.08% at 38,809.00, led by gains in the Textile, Marine Transport, and Services sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 gained 0.51% at 8,416.90, led by gains in the Gold, Metals &amp; Mining and Resources sectors.</li>
<li>India's Nifty 50 closed lower by 0.23% at 23,685.10, while Nifty 500 rose 0.22% closing at 21,776.00,</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite fell 0.63% and closed at 3,229.49; Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 was down 0.56% at 3,795.08.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng closed the session lower by 0.93% at 20,597.09.</li>
<li>Chinese markets fell as U.S.-China trade tensions escalated, with Shanghai and Hong Kong indexes declining. China announced retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, effective February 10, 2025.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was down 0.22%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX fell 0.24%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC declined 0.25%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE index 100 traded lower by 0.01%.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 0.85% at $72.05/bbl, and Brent was down 0.88% at $75.53/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices declined as rising U.S. stockpiles and escalating trade tensions with China fueled economic growth concerns, countering Trump&#8217;s efforts to restrict Iranian crude exports.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 1.35% to $3.210.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.55% at $2,891.46, Silver was down 0.16% to $32.965, and Copper rose 0.32% to $4.3680.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were down 0.20%, S&amp;P 500 futures declined 0.56% and Nasdaq 100 futures slid 0.95%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. dollar index declined 0.54% to 107.42, the USD/JPY fell 1.11% to 152.64, and the USD/AUD fell 0.49% to 1.5907.</li>
<li>The yuan weakened as U.S.-China trade tensions hit markets, while the yen surged on expectations of Bank of Japan rate hikes. The dollar fell against major currencies, with traders watching China&#8217;s response to tariffs and potential U.S. negotiations. Japan&#8217;s strong wage data fueled further yen gains.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia Markets Mixed, Europe Slips As China's Tariff Retaliation Hits Sentiment - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Monday, February 3rd, U.S. markets closed in red, recovering from steeper losses after President Trump delayed tariffs on Mexico for a month following its agreement to deploy 10,000 National Guard troops.
Trump&#8217;s broader tariff strategy, including levies on China and Canada, signals continued market volatility and potential inflationary effects.
In economic news, U.S. construction spending rose 0.5% month-over-month in December, reaching an annualized $2,192 billion after a revised 0.2% increase in November. Meanwhile, the ISM manufacturing PMI improved to 50.9 in January, surpassing expectations of 49.8 and up from a revised 49.2 in December.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors fell, led by consumer discretionary, tech, and industrials, while utilities and consumer staples gained.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.28% and closed at 44,421.91, the S&amp;P 500 closed lower by 0.76% at 5,994.57, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.20% to finish at 19,391.96.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Tuesday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed higher by 0.61% at 38,776.50, led by gains in the Communication, Transport, and Marine Transport sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 declined 0.06% at 8,374.00, led by losses in the A-REITs, Consumer Discretionary, and Energy sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed higher by 1.48% at 23,707.70, and Nifty 500 rose 1.41%, closing at 21,704.75, led by gains in the Capital Goods, Public Sector Undertakings, and Oil &amp; Gas sectors.</li>
<li>China markets were closed for the Chinese New Year holiday.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng closed the session higher by 2.83% at 20,789.96.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.10%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX rose 0.10%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC gained 0.20%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE index 100 traded lower by 0.16%.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 1.53% at $72.02/bbl, and Brent was down 0.87% at $75.28/bbl.</li>
<li>China imposed tariffs on U.S. crude oil, LNG, and coal, but the impact is limited due to modest imports. U.S. LNG faces challenges, though long-term contracts remain viable.</li>
<li>Crude flows may shift to alternative sources while refiners seek waivers or diversify. U.S. energy exports may reroute to Europe.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 3.88% to $3.222.</li>
<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.60% at $2,839.09, Silver was down 0.68% to $32.300, and Copper rose 0.52% to $4.3278.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Dow futures were down 0.26%, S&amp;P 500 futures declined 0.23%, and Nasdaq 100 futures slid 0.13%.</li>
<li>U.S. stock futures fell as Trump&#8217;s China tariffs took effect, sparking Beijing&#8217;s retaliation. Oil prices dropped, Alphabet&#8217;s earnings drew attention, and OPEC+ upheld production cuts.</li>
</ul>
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
The U.S. dollar index surged 0.13% to 108.55, the USD/JPY rose 0.37% to 155.32, and the USD/AUD rose 0.26% to 1.6098.
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia Markets Mixed, Europe Edges Higher As China's Tariff Retaliation Sparks Trade Uncertainty - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Friday, January 31st, U.S. markets closed lower after the White House announced new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, raising investor concerns about economic uncertainty and potential retaliation. Apple declined despite positive earnings commentary, while energy stocks, including Chevron and Exxon Mobil, dropped following weaker-than-expected quarterly results.
According to economic data, U.S. personal income rose by 0.4% in December, up from 0.3% in November, while personal spending increased by 0.7%, reaching an annualized $20.387 trillion. The core PCE price index grew 0.2% from the previous month.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors declined, led by energy, technology, and materials, while communication services and consumer discretionary stocks gained.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.75% and closed at 44,544.66, the S&amp;P 500 closed lower by 0.50% at 6,040.53, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.28% to finish at 19,627.44.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Monday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed lower by 2.69% at 38,541.50, led by losses in the Precision Instruments, Real Estate and Food sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 fell 1.79% at 8,379.40, led by losses in the Healthcare, Consumer Discretionary and Materials sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed lower by 0.54% at 23,355.70, and the Nifty 500 slid 0.84%, closing at 21,400.40. Capital Goods, Power, and Public Sector Undertakings sectors dragged the index lower.</li>
<li>China markets were closed for the Chinese New Year holiday.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng closed the session lower by 0.04% at 20,217.26.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was down 1.72%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX fell 1.64%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC declined 1.70%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE index 100 traded lower by 1.25%.</li>
<li>European stocks fell amid global market pressure following U.S. tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 1.92% at $73.91/bbl, and Brent was up 1.06% at $76.47/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices rose as new U.S. tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China fueled supply concerns, though trade war fears limited gains. Brent and WTI crude climbed, while gasoline futures surged.</li>
<li>Natural Gas gained 7.88% to $3.282.</li>
<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.12% at $2,831.69, Silver was down 0.32% to $32.163, and Copper fell 1.11% to $4.2315.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Dow futures were down 1.27%, S&amp;P 500 futures declined 1.43% and Nasdaq 100 futures slid 1.64%.</li>
<li>U.S. stock futures fell as Trump&#8217;s new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China raised fears of a trade war and economic disruption. Retaliation from affected countries looms, while Trump plans talk with Canadian and Mexican leaders.</li>
</ul>
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. dollar index surged 0.99% to 109.44, the USD/JPY fell 0.19% to 154.89, and the USD/AUD rose by 0.11% to 1.6267.</li>
<li>The U.S. dollar surged to a three-week high after Trump imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, fueling safe-haven demand. The euro and commodity currencies fell, while the yuan hit record lows.</li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock

Trump Tariffs Impacts Global Markets, Drags Asia And Europe Lower; Dollar Surges To Three-Week High - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Thursday, January 30, U.S. markets closed higher after a turbulent session, as optimistic remarks from Tesla helped offset Microsoft&#8217;s weak outlook. Stocks briefly dipped following Trump&#8217;s proposed tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports, fueling economic concerns. Most S&amp;P 500 sectors advanced, with Tesla gaining traction after Musk announced plans for affordable models and autonomous ride-hailing.
In economic data, U.S. jobless claims fell to 207,000, beating estimates, while economic growth slowed to 2.3% in Q4, down from 3.1% and below expectations of 2.6%. President Trump confirmed 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports starting February 1.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors rose, led by utilities, real estate, and health care, while tech stocks declined.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.38% and closed at 44,882.13, the S&amp;P 500 closed higher by 0.53% at 6,071.17, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.25% to finish at 19,681.75.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Friday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed higher by 0.34% at 39,607.00, led by gains in the Rubber, Transport, and Glass sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 rose 0.45% at 8,532.30, led by gains in the Gold, IT, and Metals &amp; Mining sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed higher by 1.22% at 23,532.40, and the Nifty 500 rose 1.45%, closing at 21,606.00, led by gains in the Capital Goods, Consumer Durables, and Public Sector Undertakings sectors.</li>
<li>China markets were closed for the Chinese New Year holiday.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.34%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX rose 0189%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC gained 0.36%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE index 100 traded higher by 0.33%.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.05% at $72.75/bbl, and Brent was down 0.16% at $75.74/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices steadied Friday but were set for a weekly decline as markets awaited Trump&#8217;s tariff decision on Mexico and Canada. Concerns over supply disruptions, U.S. sanctions, and the upcoming OPEC+ meeting kept prices volatile.</li>
<li>Natural Gas gained 1.21% to $3.084.</li>
<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.02% at $2,844.66, Silver was up 0.49% to $32.653, and Copper fell 0.46% to $4.2875.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Dow futures were up 0.34%, S&amp;P 500 futures gained 0.43% and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.74%.</li>
<li>U.S. stock futures rose Friday, driven by strong Apple earnings ahead of key inflation data.</li>
</ul>
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. Dollar Index gained 0.23% to 108.29, USD/JPY rose 0.36% to 154.73, and USD/AUD was down 0.16% to 1.6081.</li>
<li>The U.S. dollar rose Friday after Trump&#8217;s fresh tariff threats. The yen slipped despite strong Tokyo inflation, and the pound remained vulnerable ahead of the Bank of England&#8217;s policy meeting.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia And Europe Markets Gain, Dollar Strengthens - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Wednesday, January 29th, U.S. markets closed lower, with tech shares weighing on the S&amp;P 500. Nvidia and Microsoft declined after a tech selloff linked to Chinese AI competition. The Fed kept rates steady, softening its stance on inflation progress. Powell&#8217;s remarks reassured markets, but future rate cuts and economic policies remain uncertain.
In economic data, the U.S. trade deficit in goods rose to a record $122.11 billion in December, up from a revised $103.5 billion in November. Wholesale inventories dropped 0.5% to $898 billion, following a 0.1% decline the previous month, contrary to market expectations of a 0.2% increase.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors fell Wednesday, led by tech, real estate, and healthcare, while consumer staples and communication services gained.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.31% and closed at 44,713.52, the S&amp;P 500 closed lower by 0.47% at 6,039.31, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.51% to finish at 19,632.32.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Thursday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed higher by 0.03% at 39,472.50, led by gains in the Communication, Electrical/Machinery, and Manufacturing sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 rose 0.55% at 8,493.70, led by gains in the Energy, Consumer Discretionary and Consumer Staples sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed higher by 0.58% at 23,296.85, and Nifty 500 rose 0.40%, closing at 21,331.25, led by gains in the Oil &amp; Gas, Real Estate and Public Sector Undertakings sectors.</li>
<li>China markets were closed for the Chinese New Year holiday.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.66%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX rose 0.39%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC gained 0.46%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE index 100 traded higher by 0.29%.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 0.32% at $72.41/bbl, and Brent was down 0.33% at $75.36/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices remained stable Thursday as markets awaited OPEC+ talks and reacted to Trump&#8217;s tariff threats on Canada and Mexico. U.S. crude stockpiles rose, while Russian exports declined due to sanctions.</li>
<li>Natural Gas gained 0.79% to $3.195.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.81% at $2,816.19, Silver was up 2.15% to $32.068, and Copper rose 0.51% to $4.3055.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were up 0.41%, S&amp;P 500 futures gained 0.35% and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.46%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
The U.S. dollar index declined 0.01% to 107.96, the USD/JPY fell 0.46% to 154.45, and the USD/AUD rose 0.09% to 1.6059.
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia And Europe Markets Advance, Silver Rallies - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Tuesday, January 28th, U.S. markets closed in green, driven by tech and AI shares, with Nvidia recovering sharply after its recent decline. The Nasdaq climbed as Apple advanced ahead of earnings reports. The semiconductor and technology sectors rallied, while General Motors dropped amid concerns over potential tariffs.
In economic data, the U.S. durable goods orders dropped 2.2% in December after a revised 2% decline in November. Meanwhile, the S&amp;P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city home price index increased 4.3% annually in November, slightly up from 4.2% the previous month.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors fell Tuesday, led by utilities, real estate, and consumer staples, while tech and communication stocks gained.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.31% and closed at 44,850.35, the S&amp;P 500 closed higher by 0.92% at 6,067.70, and the Nasdaq Composite surged 2.03% to finish at 19,733.59.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Wednesday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed higher by 1.02% at 39,461.50, led by gains in the Services, Transportation Equipment, and Transport sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 rose 0.57% at 8,447.00, led by gains in the Utilities, Gold and IT sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed higher by 0.94% at 23,173.80, and Nifty 500 rose 1.58%, closing at 21,256.40, led by gains in the Real Estate, Capital Goods, and Power sectors.</li>
<li>China markets were closed for the Chinese New Year holiday.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.79%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX rose 0.67%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC declined 0.17%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE index 100 traded higher by 0.19%.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 0.96% at $73.06/bbl, and Brent was down 0.97% at $75.75/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices declined Wednesday as U.S. crude stockpiles rose and Libyan supply concerns eased. Investors focused on potential U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 1.12% to $3.087.</li>
<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.07% at $2,792.71, Silver was up 0.12% to $30.918, and Copper fell 0.23% to $4.2367.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Dow futures were down 0.05%, S&amp;P 500 futures gained 0.08% and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.38%.</li>
<li>Nasdaq futures rose as semiconductor stocks gained after ASML&#8217;s strong earnings. Investors awaited the Fed&#8217;s rate decision and major tech earnings, while Trump&#8217;s tariff plans and inflation concerns added market uncertainty.</li>
</ul>
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. dollar index gained 0.20% to 108.13, the USD/JPY fell 0.14% to 155.38, and the USD/AUD rose by 0.43% to 1.6062.</li>
<li>The dollar held steady as investors awaited the Fed&#8217;s policy decision and Trump&#8217;s expected tariffs.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia And Europe Markets Advance, Semiconductor Stocks Lift Nasdaq Futures; Oil Drops On Rising Stockpiles - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Monday, January 27, U.S. markets closed mixed as the Nasdaq experienced its steepest decline since December. The drop was fueled by a sharp selloff in chipmakers following the launch of a low-cost AI model by Chinese startup DeepSeek, which challenged Nvidia and other industry leaders.
<a target="_blank" href="%20What's%20Driving%20Markets%20Monday?" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nvidia&#8217;s plunge marked a historic single-day</a> loss in market value, while semiconductor stocks saw significant declines.
Most sectors of the S&amp;P 500 ended Monday with gains, led by healthcare, financials, and consumer staples, while information technology and utilities lagged and closed lower.
According to economic data, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index rose to 0.15 in December, its highest in seven months, while U.S. building permits increased by 0.7% to an annualized 1.482 million.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.65% and closed at 44,713.58, while the S&amp;P 500 closed lower by 1.46% at 6,012.28, and the Nasdaq Composite plunged 3.07% to finish at 19,341.83.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Tuesday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed lower by 1.43% at 39,064.50, led by losses in the Non-Metal Minerals, Communication, and Electrical/Machinery sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 slid 0.12% at 8,399.10, led by losses in the A-REITs, Utilities, and Energy sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed higher by 0.65% at 22,978.60, and Nifty 500 rose 0.14%, closing at 20,940.05, led by gains in the Banking, Real Estate, and Auto sectors.</li>
<li>China markets were closed for the Chinese New Year holiday.</li>
<li>Hong Kong Hang Seng closed the session higher by 0.14% at 20,237.99.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.46%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX rose 0.66%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC gained 0.39%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE index 100 traded higher by 0.59%.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.60% at $73.60/bbl, and Brent was up 0.64% at $76.67/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices rose slightly on Tuesday but remained near two-week lows due to weak Chinese economic data, warmer weather reducing fuel demand, and concerns over U.S. sanctions affecting Chinese oil supply.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 1.94% to $3.190.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.33% at $2,775.31, Silver was up 0.43% to $30.545, and Copper rose 0.87% to $4.2685.</li>
<li>Gold prices held steady in Asian trading on Tuesday after a sharp drop the previous day. A stronger U.S. dollar, fueled by trade concerns and Fed anticipation, weighed on the market.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were up 0.04%, S&amp;P 500 futures surged 0.39% and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.69%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. dollar index gained 0.58% to 107.96, the USD/JPY rose 0.60% to 155.48, and the USD/AUD rose 0.72% to 1.6007.</li>
<li>The dollar strengthened on Tuesday amid new U.S. tariff threats, reversing Monday&#8217;s risk-off moves triggered by the emergence of a low-cost Chinese AI model.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia Markets Mixed, Europe Advances; Dollar Gains On Tariff Concerns - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Friday, January 24, U.S. markets ended lower as investors weighed mixed economic data, earnings reports, and a hotter-than-expected housing market. Anticipation of key inflation data and an upcoming Federal Reserve meeting added caution, while tech stocks, including Nvidia, dragged the market amid lingering concerns over U.S. trade policies.
In economic data, the S&amp;P Global Services PMI dropped to 52.8 in January from 56.8 in December, falling short of the anticipated 56.5. Meanwhile, the S&amp;P Global Manufacturing PMI edged up to 50.1 in January from 49.4 the previous month, exceeding market expectations of 49.7.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors rose, led by communication services, utilities, and consumer staples, while information technology and energy lagged.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.32% and closed at 44,424.25, the S&amp;P 500 closed lower by 0.29% at 6,101.24, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.50% to finish at 19,954.30.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Monday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed lower by 0.83% at 39,630.00, led by losses in the Precision Instruments, Automobiles and parts, and Gas and water sectors.</li>
<li>Australian markets closed for the Australia Day holiday.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed lower by 1.19% at 22,818.20, and Nifty 500 fell 1.99%, closing at 20,894.95.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite dropped 0.06% and closed at 3,250.60, and the Shenzhen CSI 300 fell 0.41%, finishing the day at 3,817.08.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng closed the session higher by 0.66% at 20,197.77.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was down 1.49%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX fell 1.24%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC declined 0.90%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE index 100 traded lower by 0.21%.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.42% at $74.95\7/bbl, and Brent was up 0.35% at $77.83/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices wavered as the U.S.-Colombia deportation deal eased supply concerns. Market volatility persisted amid U.S. pressure on OPEC to lower prices and sanctions risks on Russia&#8217;s energy exports.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 5.65% to $3.255.</li>
<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.21% at $2,800.64, Silver was down 1.07% to $30.852, and Copper slid 1.04% to $4.2765.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Dow futures were down 0.93%, S&amp;P 500 futures fell 2.37% and Nasdaq 100 futures declined 4.09%.</li>
<li>Nasdaq futures plunged Monday as the popularity of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek&#8217;s free assistant pressured U.S. AI-related stocks, including Nvidia and AMD. Global markets remained cautious ahead of the Fed&#8217;s rate decision, key inflation data, and major earnings reports from Apple, Microsoft, and Tesla.</li>
</ul>
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
The U.S. Dollar Index declined 0.26% to 107.16, USD/JPY fell 1.17% to 153.94, and USD/AUD rose 0.06% to 1.5871.
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia Markets Mixed, US Futures Plunge On AI Rivalry, Dollar Slides - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Thursday, January 23, U.S. markets closed higher, with the S&amp;P 500 hitting a record high as investors evaluated mixed earnings and President Trump&#8217;s Davos remarks urging OPEC to cut oil prices and central banks to lower rates. While markets welcomed these prospects, concerns lingered about tariffs driving inflation and affecting Federal Reserve policy. Despite uncertainties, all three major Wall Street indexes posted a fourth consecutive day of gains, reflecting optimism around Trump&#8217;s economic policies.
In economic data, U.S. initial jobless claims rose by 6,000 from the prior week, reaching 223,000 for the week ending January 18, slightly exceeding market expectations of 220,000.
Every sector of the S&amp;P 500 ended in positive territory, led by gains in health care, real estate, and industrial stocks.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.92% and closed at 44,565.07, the S&amp;P 500 closed higher by 0.53% at 6,118.71, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.22% to finish at 20,053.68.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Friday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed lower by 0.10% at 39,962.50, led by losses in the Power, Precision Instruments, and Gas and water sectors.</li>
<li>The Bank of Japan raised interest rates to 0.5%, the highest since 2008, citing confidence in stable inflation and rising wages. Governor Ueda signaled further gradual hikes, emphasizing Japan&#8217;s progress toward overcoming deflation and boosting economic growth despite global uncertainties, including trade and tariff risks.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 gained 0.36%, ending the session at 8,408.90, led by gains in the Consumer Discretionary, Healthcare, and Consumer Staples sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed lower by 0.50% at 23,090.45, and the Nifty 500 fell 1.04%, closing at 21,314.30, led by losses in the Real Estate, Oil and gas, and Capital Goods sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite gained 0.70% and closed at 3,252.63, and the Shenzhen CSI 300 rose 0.77%, finishing the day at 3,832.86.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng closed the session higher by 1.86% at 20,066.19.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.63%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX rose 0.33%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC gained 0.88%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE index 100 traded lower by 0.32%.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.43% at $74.95/bbl, and Brent was up 0.40% at $78.61/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices rose slightly but remained set for a weekly decline due to U.S. plans to boost production and Trump&#8217;s demands for OPEC to lower prices. Concerns over tariffs, global growth, and oversupply continue to weigh on the market.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 2.51% to $3.842.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.56% at $2,780.36, Silver was up 1.59% to $31.332, and Copper rose 0.91% to $4.3678.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were down 0.13%, S&amp;P 500 futures fell 0.15% and Nasdaq 100 futures declined 0.17%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. Dollar Index declined 0.56% to 107.53, USD/JPY fell 0.10% to 155.91, and USD/AUD fell 0.55% to 1.5820.</li>
<li>The U.S. dollar weakened on Friday after President Trump called for lower interest rates during his Davos address. The Japanese yen rose after the Bank of Japan announced a rate hike and expressed optimism about inflation staying near its target.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

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