Global Markets:
- Asian Stock Markets : Nikkei up 0.34%, Shanghai Composite up 0.48%, Hang Seng up 0.79% ASX up 0.11%
- Commodities : Gold at $3351.35 (0.79%), Silver at $36.08 (-0.29%), Brent Oil at $67.38 (1.59%), WTI Oil at $65.38 (1.33%)
- Rates : US 10-year yield at 4.294, UK 10-year yield at 4.4650, Germany 10-year yield at 2.5330
News & Data:
- (CAD) CPI m/m 0.6% to 0.5% expected
Markets Update:
Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Wednesday as investors reacted to developments surrounding a potential ceasefire between Israel and Iran, as well as new statements from the U.S. Federal Reserve. Optimism is building around a truce reportedly brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, raising hopes that tensions in the region may de-escalate.
In regional markets, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 ended flat. South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.31%, while the Kosdaq slipped 0.21%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 edged up 0.11%, whereas the Topix dipped 0.13%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.66%, while mainland China’s CSI 300 remained unchanged.
In the U.S., stock futures hovered near the flatline. S&P 500 futures dipped 0.1%, alongside Nasdaq 100 futures. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures lost 26 points, also down 0.1%.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stated that the central bank would likely hold interest rates steady, emphasizing the need for more economic clarity—particularly regarding the potential impact of tariffs on inflation. He noted that policymakers are in a good position to wait before adjusting monetary policy.
Overnight on Wall Street, major indexes closed higher. The Dow rose 507.24 points (1.19%) to 43,089.02. The S&P 500 climbed 1.11% to 6,092.18, and the Nasdaq Composite surged 1.43% to 19,912.53. The Nasdaq 100 posted a record close of 22,190.52.
Upcoming Events:
- 02:00 PM GMT – USD New Home Sales
- 02:00 PM GMT – USD Fed Chair Powell Testifies
