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...