Topix Falls First Time in Nine Days on Outlook for Fed Rate Rise

Japan stocks fell, with the Topix index halting its longest winning streak since June, as strong U.S. data bolstered the case for raising interest rates. The Topix dropped 0.2 percent to 1,655.90 as of 9:05 a.m. in Tokyo, heading for its first decline in nine days. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average retreated 0.3 percent to 20,394.36. The yen traded at 123.08 per dollar after yesterday falling 1.3 percent to its weakest since July 2007. The...

Asia Stocks Follow U.S. Shares Lower as Data Spur Rate-Rise Bets

Asian stocks dropped, following a decline in U.S. equities, after better-than-estimated economic data bolstered the case for higher interest rates in the world’s largest economy. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index lost 0.3 percent to 152.77 as of 9:01 a.m. in Tokyo. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index sank 1 percent on Tuesday, its biggest slide since May 5, as strong readings for U.S. capital-goods orders and new home sales fueled bets for...

U.S. Stocks Fall as Better Data, Fed Remarks Boost Rate Bets

U.S. stocks fell the most in three weeks, as better-than-forecast economic data and comments by Federal Reserve officials bolstered bets for an interest-rate increase this year. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 1 percent to 2,104.32 at 4 p.m. in New York, after a third straight weekly advance. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended a six-session stretch without a 100-point intraday swing, the longest in almost a year. Better-than-estimated ...

Gold Slumps to Two-Week Low as Dollar Gains on Fed Rate Outlook

Gold futures fell to a two-week low as the dollar strengthened amid speculation that the Federal Reserve will raise U.S. interest rates this year. The greenback climbed to a one-month high against a basket of 10 currencies, cutting demand for gold as an alternative investment. Accelerating inflation and jobs growth mean the “time is near” for a rate increase, Fed Bank of Cleveland President Loretta Mester said Monday. Gold swung...

Gold Futures Decline to Two-Week Low as Dollar Gains on Fed

Gold futures fell to a two-week low as the dollar strengthened amid speculation that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates this year.The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index climbed to a one-month high, cutting demand for the precious metal as an alternative. Accelerating inflation and jobs growth mean the “time is near” for a U.S. rate increase, Fed Bank of Cleveland President Loretta Mester said Monday.Gold swung between year-to-date...

Oil Trades Near $60 as Mideast Violence Flares Before OPEC Talks

Oil traded near $60 a barrel amid rising violence in the Middle East before OPEC meets to discuss its production quota next month. Futures were little changed in New York. Iraq’s Prime Minister vowed a swift takeover of the city of Ramadi from Islamic State militants, while Saudi Arabia’s King vowed to punish those responsible for a suicide attack on Shiite-Muslim worshipers in his nation. There was no floor session Monday on the Nymex ...

Emas Bertahan Diatas $ 1.200 Terkait Outlook Suku Bunga AS

Emas bertahan di atas $ 1.200 per ons karena investor mengkaji komentar dari para pembuat kebijakan bank sentral AS sebagai petunjuk terkait kapan Federal Reserve akan mulai menaikkan biaya pinjaman. Sementara Perak dan platinum turun. Bullion untuk pengiriman segera diperdagangkan sedikit berubah di level $ 1,206.25 per ons pada pukul 8:22 pagi di Singapura, menurut Bloomberg generic pricing. Pergerakan logam pada Senin kemarin berakhir...

Gold Steady Near $1,200 as Interest Rate Outlook Boosts Dollar

Gold prices traded little changed slipped as prospects for the first U.S. interest rate increase since 2006 helped to push the dollar to a one-month high. Silver and palladium declined. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said she expects to raise rates this year if the economy meets her forecasts. Inflation is moving toward the Fed’s 2 percent target, with a report on Friday showing that core consumer prices climbed 0.3 percent in April,...

Indeks Saham Asia Turun Untuk Pertama Kalinya Dalam 4 Hari

Indeks acuan saham regional Asia menuju penurunan pertama dalam empat hari, dengan saham-saham Korea Selatan tergelincir setelah pasar saham dibuka kembali pasca liburan. Perusahaan kesehatan dan konsumen memimpin penurunan. Indeks MSCI Asia Pacific melemah 0,1% ke level 153,73 pada pukul 09:06 pagi di Tokyo. Indeks mata uang dolar menambahkan 0,7% selama tiga hari terakhir. Investor menunggu laporan barang tahan lama AS hari Selasa...

Japanese Stocks Rise Eighth Day as Oil Stocks, Utilities Climb

Japanese stocks rose for an eighth day after closing Monday at the highest level since 2007, with oil producers and utilities leading the advance. The Topix index added 0.1 percent to 1,661.21 as of 9:02 a.m. in Tokyo. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.2 percent to 20,454.46, extending a 15-year high. U.S. cash-equity markets were closed Monday for the Memorial Day holiday. The yen slipped 0.1 percent to 121.69 per dollar. The nation’s...

Oil Trades Near $60 a Barrel as U.S. Drillers Add Onshore Rigs

Oil traded near $60 a barrel as explorers in the U.S. increased drilling activity for the first time since November. Futures were little changed in New York after falling 1.7 percent on Friday. The number of onshore rigs climbed by three to 853, while total machines targeting oil slid by one, data from Baker Hughes Inc. showed. Venezuela is working with OPEC members to boost prices, President Nicolas Maduro said in a national address. Oil’s ...

Gold Drops Toward $1,200 as Interest Rate Outlook Boosts Dollar

Gold fell, extending the biggest weekly loss since April, as prospects for the first U.S. interest rate rise since 2006 helped to push the dollar to a one-month high. Silver, platinum and palladium declined. Bullion for immediate delivery lost as much as 0.3 percent to $1,202.95 an ounce and traded at $1,203.45 at 8:54 a.m. in Singapore, Bloomberg generic pricing showed. The metal...

Japan Exports Rise More Than Forecast as Shipments to U.S. Jump

Japanese exports rose more than forecast in April, providing support for an economy that’s expanded for two straight quarters after a recession in 2014. The value of overseas shipments rose 8 percent from a year earlier, the Ministry of Finance said on Monday, compared with a median estimate for a 6 percent increase. Imports slid 4.2 percent, leaving a 53.4 billion yen ($440 million) trade deficit. Japan’s exports exceeded imports in...

Japanese Stocks Rise After Yen Slides on U.S. Inflation

Japanese stocks rose for a seventh day after the yen weakened as a report showed U.S. inflation firmed and Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said she expects to raise interest rates this year. Toyota Motor Corp., which gets more than three-quarters of its sales overseas, was the biggest boost to the Topix index. Tokyo Electric Power Co. jumped 5.1 percent after a report the utility won an order to build a gas-fired power plant and...

Shanghai Composite Rallies to Seven-Year High as Smallcaps Drop

The Shanghai Composite Index rallied for a fifth day to a seven-year high as investors sought financial companies and other underperformers this year, while rotating out of overvalued, small-company stocks. The Shanghai Composite climbed 1.5 percent to 4,729.12 at 9:51 a.m. It advanced 8.1 percent last week, the biggest gain since the week ended Dec. 5, amid speculation the government may escalate measures to stimulate the economy....

Dollar Falls as Weak Economic Data Erode Bets on Fed Rate Hike

The dollar fell as tepid economic reports damped demand for the currency after minutes from the Federal Reserve’s last policy meeting left bulls with little to cheer. The U.S. currency snapped three days of gains versus the euro after housing and jobs data missed forecasts. The greenback weakened versus most of its major peers as traders digested minutes released Wednesday that...

Gold Futures Fell to One-Week Low as U.S. Jobless Claims Decline

Gold futures fell to a one-week low after the average number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits in the past four weeks dropped to a 15-year low, reviving concern that interest rates will increase. The average dropped to 266,250 in the period ended May 16 from 271,750, government figures showed Thursday. On Wednesday, holdings in exchange-traded products backed by gold dropped to the lowest since January, according to data...

U.S. Stocks Rise to Records Amid Mixed Data on Economic Growth

U.S. stocks advanced, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rising to a record, amid better-than-forecast results from Salesforce.com Inc. and Best Buy Co. while gauges on the strength of economic growth were mixed. The S&P 500 rose 0.2 percent to 2,131.03 at 4 p.m. in New York, its fourth all-time high in the last six sessions. As Federal Reserve policy makers debate the timing on their first interest rate increase since 2006,...

U.S. Stocks, Treasuries Rise as Data Show Uneven Economic Growth

U.S. stocks rose to record levels and Treasuries gained a second day as economic data showing uneven growth added to speculation the Federal Reserve won’t rush to raise interest rates. Crude oil rallied. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 0.3 percent to a record at 12:36 a.m. in New York. The Nasdaq Composite Index jumped 0.4 percent to an all-time closing high. The yield on 10-year Treasury notes fell four basis points to...

Gold Settles Higher, Then Tops $1,210 After Fed Minutes

Gold futures settled higher on Wednesday, then moved up in electronic trading to top $1,210 an ounce after minutes from the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee’s April meeting showed that only a few officials expect an interest-rate hike in June. Gold for June delivery GCM5, was at $1,211.10 an ounce in electronic trading on Globex after the minutes, after settling at $1,208.70 an ounce, up $2, or 0.2%, on Comex. The April minutes...

Dollar Remains Higher as Minutes Show Fed in No Rush to Hike

The dollar remained higher as minutes from the Federal Reserve’s April meeting suggested the central bank is in no hurry to raise interest rates soon.The U.S. currency fluctuated after policy makers said last month that they didn’t expect to raise rates at their next meeting in June even while concluding that a first-quarter economic slowdown was unlikely to persist, minutes of the meeting show.The dollar traded at 121.39 yen as of 2:07...

Japan’s Topix Extends 2007 High as Fed Minutes Spur Weaker Yen

Japanese stocks rose, with the Topix index climbing from a 7 1/2-year high, after the yen slid as investors weighed minutes from the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting. The Topix advanced 0.3 percent to 1,647.83 as of 9:06 a.m. in Tokyo, after yesterday closing at the highest since October 2007. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average added 0.2 percent to 20,242.96. The yen traded at 121.20 per dollar after touching the weakest level since March...

Asian Stocks Rise After Fed Minutes as Investors Await China PMI

Asian stocks advanced for the first time in three days as investors weighed the minutes of the Federal Reserve’s last meeting and awaited China manufacturing data. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 0.1 percent to 153.02 as of 9:02 a.m. in Tokyo. The Fed minutes reinforced the view that interest rates will probably be boosted in the second half of this year. China factory activity may show improvement this month, preliminary estimates...

U.S. Stocks Little Changed Amid Airline Selloff, Fed Patience

U.S. stocks closed little changed, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slipping for a second day, as a selloff in airlines offset Federal Reserve meeting minutes that showed officials in no hurry to raise interest rates. The S&P 500 Index fell 0.1 percent to 2,125.80 at 4 p.m. in New York, after briefly climbing above its all-time high. Fed officials last month didn’t expect to raise rates at their June meeting even as they concluded...

Gold Fell Most This Month as Housing Data Boosts Rate Concerns

Gold fell the most since April on speculation that an improving U.S. housing market will boost the case for the Federal Reserve to raise U.S. interest rates. U.S. housing starts jumped to a seven-year high last month, government data showed Tuesday. The rise extended gains in the dollar, curbing bullion’s appeal as an alternative asset, after the European Central Bank said it will speed up bond buying. Gold has posted three straight...

Euro Drops After ECB Official Pledges to Speed Up Bond Purchases

The euro tumbled the most in two months after a European Central Bank official said policy makers plan to boost bond purchases before an anticipated mid-year lull. The single currency slumped after Executive Board member Benoit Coeure said the ECB will increase purchases under its quantitative-easing program from 60 billion euros ($67 billion) in May and June, ahead of a drop-off in market liquidity. The euro extended losses versus the...

Japan Economy Grows More Than Forecast as Business Spends More

Japan’s economy expanded for a second straight quarter, beating forecasts as businesses increased spending and boosted inventories. Gross domestic product grew at an annualized 2.4 percent in the three months through March from the previous quarter, when it increased by 1.1 percent, the Cabinet Office said on Wednesday. The median estimate of 28 economists surveyed by Bloomberg was for a gain of 1.6 percent. Capital investment gained...

U.S. Stocks Close Little Changed From Records After Housing Data

U.S. stocks closed little changed, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slipping from a record, after data showing housing starts surged to a seven-year high bolstered speculation the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates this year. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 0.1 percent to 2,127.87 at 4 p.m. in New York, snapping a three-session string of all-time highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.1 percent to...

U.S. Stocks Fluctuate Amid All-Time Highs After Housing Data

U.S. stocks fluctuated, with benchmark indexes near records, after data showing housing starts surged to a seven-year high bolstered speculation the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates this year. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. slumped 4 percent after quarterly results missed estimates, while Urban Outfitters Inc. tumbled 17 percent after profit and sales were short of analysts’ projections. Energy shares slid with oil prices. Banks extended...

Oil Trades Near $60 as U.S. Supplies Seen Falling Third Week

Oil traded near $60 a barrel before U.S. government data forecast to show crude stockpiles declined for a third week. Futures were little changed in New York after slipping 0.4 percent on Monday. Crude inventories probably shrank by 2 million barrels through May 15, according to a Bloomberg survey before an Energy Information Administration report Wednesday. OPEC’s current output target of 30 million barrels a day is right, Iran’s Deputy...

Euro Holds Losses on Concern Greek Bailout Deal Remains Elusive

The euro held losses against the majority of its peers on concern Greek banks will be pushed toward insolvency if the government fails to reach an agreement with creditors. The 19-nation currency had its biggest drop in two months on Monday as the standoff between Greece and its lenders triggered an unprecedented liquidity squeeze, renewing doubts about the country’s place in the euro area. The euro rallied 4.6 percent in April, snapping...

Most Asia Stocks Rise After U.S. Shares Hit Records, Yen Weakens

Most Asian stocks rose after U.S. equity gauges climbed to fresh records and the yen weakened, boosting Japanese shares. About three stocks rose for every two that fell on the MSCI Asia Pacific Index, which traded little changed at 153.39 as of 9:03 a.m. in Tokyo. Japan’s Topix index added 0.2 percent after the yen fell 0.6 percent against the dollar on Monday. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.3 percent and the Dow Jones Industrial...

Japan’s Topix Heads for Seven-Year High as Yen Boosts Exporters

Japanese stocks rose, with the Topix index trading near its highest level since 2007, as a weaker yen boosted exporters. The Topix climbed 0.2 percent to 1,630.36 as of 9:02 a.m. in Tokyo, gaining for a third day and headed for the highest close since November 2007. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average advanced 0.5 percent to 19,981. The yen traded at 119.93 per dollar after weakening the most in more than two weeks on speculation the U.S. economy...

Rally in Apple, Bank Shares Sends U.S. Stocks to All-Time Highs

U.S. stocks rose to all-time highs as Apple Inc. climbed on comments from Carl Icahn and banks rallied amid higher bond yields. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index climbed 0.3 percent to 2,129.01 at 4 p.m. in New York, closing at a record for the third consecutive session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.1 percent to also close at an all-time high, its first since March 2. The back-to-back weekly advance halted a string of five...

Oil Holds Below $60 a Barrel as Pace of U.S. Drilling Cuts Slows

Oil held below $60 a barrel as U.S. companies reduced the number of active rigs at the slowest pace since a prolonged retreat in drilling began in December. Futures were little changed in New York after falling 0.3 percent on Friday, capping a three-day drop. The rig count slipped by eight to 660, the smallest cut in 23 weeks of declines, according to Baker Hughes Inc. Demand...

Dollar Drops to Four-Month Low as Downbeat Outlook Halts Climb

The mighty dollar isn’t getting any help from U.S. consumers. The currency erased gains after consumer confidence unexpectedly fell by the most in more than two years, reflecting Americans’ dim economic outlook. The greenback extended a weekly decline after a duo of manufacturing indicators missed expectations, scuppering an earlier rally. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index, which tracks the greenback versus 10 major trading partners, ...

China’s Stock-Index Futures Decline as Share Sales Lock Up Funds

China’s stock-index futures fell amid concern new share sales will lure funds from existing equities. Futures on the CSI 300 Index expiring in June, the most active contract, lost 1.5 percent to 4,550.80 as of 9:26 a.m. local time. Twenty companies are scheduled to sell initial public offering shares from Tuesday to Thursday, which may freeze 2.8 trillion yuan ($451.1 billion) based on the median estimate of a Bloomberg survey. The ...

Asian Stocks Track U.S. Share Gains as Weak Data Spur Fed Bets

Asian stocks rose for a second day, following gains in U.S. shares as weaker-than-expected economic data spurred bets the Federal Reserve won’t rush to raise interest rates. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index added 0.1 percent to 153.37 as of 9:06 a.m. in Tokyo after rising 1.4 percent last week. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index extended a record Friday after data showed an unexpected drop in consumer confidence. Equities rose last week...

Japanese Stocks Advance as Investors Weigh Yen, Fed Rate Outlook

Japanese stocks rose as investors weighed a strengthening yen against a potential delay in any U.S. interest-rate increase. The Topix index climbed 0.3 percent to 1,612.07 as of 9:01 a.m. in Tokyo, after gaining 1.2 percent last week. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average advanced 0.1 percent to 19,748.08. The yen traded at 119.35 per dollar after last week strengthening by the most in a...

Dollar Set for Longest Slump Since 2013 as Data Dim Rate Outlook

A gauge of the dollar is set for a fifth week of declines, its longest slump since 2013, as weak U.S. economic data fueled speculation the Federal Reserve will delay raising interest rates.The greenback is the worst performer this week among 10 developed-nation peers after U.S. data showed producer prices unexpectedly fell while retail sales were little changed in April. The fewest claims for jobless benefits in 15 years signaled the labor...

Gold Futures Rise to 12-Week High as Dollar Drops; Silver Gains

Gold and silver futures rose to the highest since February as the dollar’s decline boosted demand for the precious metals as alternative investments. The greenback slumped against a basket of 10 currencies to the lowest since January after a government report showed Wednesday that U.S. retail sales stalled in April, damping prospects for an increase in interest rates by the Federal Reserve. On Thursday, gold climbed for the third straight...

Asian Stocks Track Record-Setting S&P 500 Higher as Bonds Climb

Asian stocks rose, set for their first weekly gain this month, after the dollar’s retreat helped send the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index to a fresh record. Bonds tracked gains in the U.S. and Europe, while oil pared its advance.The MSCI Asia Pacific Index added 0.4 percent by 9:20 a.m. in Tokyo, as benchmark gauges from Japan to Australia climbed. S&P 500 futures were little changed after technology shares drove the index up 1.1 percent...

Japan Stocks Follow U.S. Shares Higher as Consumer Lenders Rise

Japanese stocks rose, with the Topix index extending its weekly advance, after U.S. shares climbed to records. Consumer lenders and banks gained.The Topix added 0.6 percent to 1,601.27 as of 9:01 a.m. in Tokyo, poised for a 0.9 percent increase this week. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average climbed 0.6 percent to 19,688.60. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index closed at an all-time high Thursday as a weaker dollar boosted multinational companies....

U.S. Stocks Rise as Dollar Extends Slide, Bond Selloff Eases

U.S. stocks rose for the first time this week as the dollar weakened to a four-month low and a bond-market selloff showed signs of easing. Treasuries gained before a sale of 30-year bonds. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index increased 0.5 percent at 9:31 a.m. in New York, halting a three-day slide. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index gained 0.3 percent. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index retreated 0.5 percent. The yield on 10-year Treasuries fell...

Gold Holds Above $1,200 as U.S. Retail Sales Cloud Rates Outlook

Gold held near a five-week high amid speculation that the Federal Reserve will push back a decision to raise interest rates after data showed U.S. retail sales were little changed last month.Bullion for immediate delivery traded at $1,214.46 an ounce at 9:08 a.m. in Singapore from $1,215.75 on Wednesday, when the metal surged to $1,218.99, the highest since April 7, according to Bloomberg generic pricing. Gold in Shanghai jumped.Gold has...

old Rises to Five-Week High With Silver as Retail Sales Sputter

Gold and silver futures jumped to five-week highs as stalling U.S. retail sales revived speculation that a sputtering economy will spur the Federal Reserve to delay raising interest rates. Gold futures for June delivery rose 2.2 percent to settle at $1,218.20 an ounce at 2:02 p.m. on the Comex in New York. Earlier, the price reached $1,218.50, the highest for a most-active contract since April 6. The dollar dropped to a 15-week low against...

China Stock-Index Futures Are Little Changed After Loan Data

Chinese stock-index futures were little changed as investors weighed the prospect of more policy easing after monetary data missed economists’ estimates.CSI 300 Index futures for May increased 0.1 percent to 4,680.60 at 9:18 a.m. in Shanghai. Property developers may be active after China’s new home sales jumped 16 percent last month. Tencent Holdings Ltd. may advance in Hong Kong after reporting a record profit in the first quarter.The...