Aust dollar hits new nine-month high

The Australian dollar has soared to new heights as the greenback loses ground for a third straight day. At 7am (AEDT) on Friday, the local unit was trading at US76.67c, up from US76.47c on Thursday. The Aussie soared to US77.23c overnight, the highest level since last July. Meanwhile, the US dollar index fell to a new six-month low as the effects of US central bank boss Janet Yellen’s dovish speech linger. OANDA Australia and Asia Pacific...

Oil Futures Jump More Than 13% For The Month

Oil futures finished the month on Thursday with a gain of more than 13%, with prices finding support from falling U.S. production and the prospect of a freeze in output by major producers. May WTI crude settled at $38.34 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, up 2 cents for the session. Prices gained about 13.5% for the month and 3.5% for the quarter, according to FactSet. Source: marketwatc...

Asia Stocks Fall After Best Month Since October Before Jobs Data

Asian stocks fell, following the best monthly advance since October, as Japanese corporate sentiment slumped and investors awaited the release of U.S. monthly jobs data. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index slid 0.9 percent to 127.75 as of 9:15 a.m. in Tokyo. The gauge climbed 8.2 percent last month, ending a tumultuous quarter for global markets. Equities have rebounded from lows in February as the Federal Reserve reassured investors that it...

Japan Stocks Fall for Fourth Day as Corporate Sentiment Slumps

Stocks fell for a fourth day in Tokyo, after the benchmark equity index capped a 13 percent quarterly drop, as a report showed corporate sentiment deteriorated to near a three-year low. The Topix index dropped 1.5 percent to 1,327.43 at 9:14 a.m. in Tokyo, with all of its 33 industry groups declining. The measure is headed for a 2.4 percent loss this week. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 1.4 percent to 16,531.16 on Friday after the...

Hong Kong shares dip on profit taking, Hang Seng sheds over 5 pct in Q1

Hong Kong's benchmark share index retreated from near three-month highs on Thursday as some investors took profits from a jump in the previous session as fears of a near-term U.S. interest rate hike receded. The Hang Seng index ended down 0.1 percent at 20,776.70 points, while the China Enterprises Index gained 0.3 percent to 9,003.25. For the month, the Hang Seng gained 8.7 percent, but was still down 5.2 percent in the first quarter...

Aust dollar trades above US77c

The Australian dollar has popped above US77c as a dovish posture from the US central bank continues to rattle the greenback. At 7am (AEDT) on Thursday, the local unit was trading at US76.69c, up from US76.42c on Wednesday. The Aussie rose to US77.10c overnight as the greenback extended losses in the aftermath of US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen’s Wednesday address. Dr Yellen flagged heightened concerns of a global economic slowdown,...

Oil ends 5-session losing streak by a hair

Oil futures barely managed to put an end to a five session losing streak on Wednesday, as traders weighed support from a fall in weekly U.S. crude production against pressure from a rise in stockpiles. Crude supplies marked a seventh weekly climb, but the increase came in below some market expectations. West Texas Intermediate crude for May delivery CLK6, +0.05%  tacked on 4 cents, or 0.1%, to settle at $38.32 a barrel on...

Hong Kong Shares End Near 3-Month High on Global Rally (review)

Hong Kong stocks jumped more than 2 percent on Wednesday to a nearly three-month high, as the U.S. Federal Reserve's dovish remarks triggered the market's best performance in nearly a month.The Hang Seng index rose 2.2 percent, to 20,803.39, while the China Enterprises Index gained 2.9 percent, to 8,979.41 points.Markets scaled back expectations for how fast and far U.S. interest rates might rise this year, after Fed Chair Janet Yellen emphasised...

U.S. Stocks Add to Rally Sparked by Dovish Message From Yellen

U.S. stocks rose, extending to the highest levels this year, as central bankers continued to spur optimism amid assurances that they will act to stave off a global downturn. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index climbed for a third day after yesterday posting the strongest increase in two weeks as Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen signaled officials will be cautious in raising rates due to heightened economic risks overseas. The dollar...

Wall Street gains powered by Yellen, oil one-two punch

U.S. stocks were poised for a third session of gains on Wednesday as dovish comments from Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen, on top of stronger oil, lifted the main indexes. Speaking at the Economic Club of New York, Yellen stressed a need for a cautious stance on interest-rate increases. The remarks follow a shift in the Fed’s outlook since late last year, as the central bank cut its forecast of rate hikes to two from...

Aust dollar soars as greenback slips

Cautious remarks from the US Federal Reserve have helped the Australian dollar break above US76c. At 7am (AEDT) on Wednesday, the local unit was trading at US76.41c, up from US75.41c on Tuesday. The Aussie spiked one US cent overnight after Fed Chair Janet Yellen doubled down on her dovish comments, ANZ senior FX manager Sam Tuck said. Dr Yellen said the US central bank still envisions a gradual pace of interest rate increases in light...

Oil futures log 5th straight drop to settle at a two-week low

Oil futures fell for a fifth straight session on Tuesday to settle at their lowest level in two weeks, as traders braced for industry data that are likely to show another increase in U.S. crude supplies. West Texas intermediate crude for May fell $1.11, or 2.8%, to settle at $38.28 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The settlement was the lowest since March 15. May Brent crude on the ICE Futures exchange declined by $1.13,...

Asia Stocks Rise as Yellen Dovish Comments Lift Risk Appetite

Asian stocks advanced after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen signaled the U.S. central bank remains wary of raising interest rates while threats remain to domestic growth from a slowing global economy. The Topix index fell in Tokyo after Yellen’s comments strengthened the yen, souring the outlook for Japanese exporters. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index gained 0.5 percent to 128.34 as of 9:03 a.m. in Tokyo. The measure is on course to post...

Japanese Stocks Fall as Yen Strengthens After Yellen Speech

Japanese stocks fell, paring the Topix index’s first monthly advance since November, as the yen strengthened after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen voiced caution on raising interest rates given the risks to world growth. The Topix declined 0.3 percent to 1,373.16 at 9:01 a.m. in Tokyo, with all but six of the 33 industry groups sinking. The measure is on course for a 5.7 percent gain in March. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average retreated...

Hong Kong Share Indexes Barely Move Ahead of Yellen Speech (review)

Hong Kong stocks drifted aimlessly and closed flat on Tuesday, ahead of a speech by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, after trading resumed following a four-day Easter weekend.The Hang Seng index edged lower in morning trading but ended the session up 0.1 percent at 20,366.30 points. The Hong Kong China Enterprises Index rose 0.3 percent.Gains in the consumer sector helped offset losses from energy shares, which fell sharply on lower...

Soft Greenback Pushes Aust Dollar Higher

Falls in the greenback have helped the Australian dollar climb higher. At 12pm (AEDT) on Tuesday, the local currency was trading at US75.46 cents, up from US74.94 cents on Thursday. The greenback lost ground overnight after weaker-than-expected US economic data reduced concerns about potential interest rate rises. BK Asset Management managing director Kathy Lien says it’ll be a pivotal week for the greenback, which will impact the Aussie’s...

Gold Holds Advance as Investors Weigh Fed Rate Path, Inflation

Gold held a gain from a one-month low as investors weighed the outlook for U.S. interest rates this year after data on Monday showed the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation slowed last month. Bullion for immediate delivery traded at $1,220.88 an ounce at 9:02 a.m. in Singapore, from $1,221.71 on Monday, when it closed 0.4 percent higher in a rebound from $1,208.38, the lowest intraday level since Feb. 23, according...

China Stocks Drop in Early Trade With Tech Shares Leading Losses

China stocks dropped for a second day, with technology and property companies leading losses as Hong Kong’s market reopened after the Easter break. The Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.5 percent to 2,944.276 as of 9:41 a.m. local time, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng China Enterprises Index fell 0.4 percent to 8,665.77. Developers declined on the mainland on Monday after Shenzhen joined Shanghai in introducing measures late last week to...

Asia Stocks Fall as Japan Goes Ex-Dividend, Pharma Shares Slide

Asian stocks fell for the first time in three days as health-care companies led losses and more than two-thirds of the companies in Japan’s Topix index traded without the right to the next dividend. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index slipped 0.4 percent to 127.55 as of 9:01 a.m. in Tokyo. The gauge is up 7.1 percent since the start of March, on course for the best month since October. The Topix slid 0.8 percent. Data Monday showed the Federal...

Japan Stocks Fall as Over 1,500 Topix Members Trade Ex-Dividend

Japanese stocks fell, paring the Topix index’s first monthly advance in four months, as more than two-thirds of the companies in the measure traded without the right to receive the next dividend. The Topix declined 1 percent to 1,368.79 at 9:01 a.m. in Tokyo, with all of the 33 industry groups sinking. The measure is on course for a 5.5 percent gain in March. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average retreated 0.8 percent to 16,997.61. More than...

Oil Halts Two-Day Slide After U.S. Rig Count Resumes Decline

Oil rose for the first time in three sessions after the number of active rigs fell in the U.S., potentially easing a supply glut. Futures advanced as much as 1.1 percent in New York, paring a 4.8 percent loss in the previous two sessions. Rigs targeting oil in the U.S. fell by 15 to 372, according to Baker Hughes Inc. More than 150 have been parked since the start of the year. U.S. data last week showed inventories rose by more than...

Dollar Index on Track to Rise for 6th Straight Day

The dollar strengthened against its main rivals in light trading as most markets in Europe and the U.S. were closed in observance of the Good Friday holiday. The greenback recently traded at ¥113.08, compared with ¥112.79 late Thursday in New York. The buck added to its gains after a third estimate of U.S. fourth quarter gross domestic product was revised to show 1.4% growth, up from 1% in a previous reading. The ICE U.S. dollar...

Japan Stocks Rise as Yen Weakens for Seventh Day After U.S. GDP

Japanese stocks rose, boosted by exporters, as the yen fell for a seventh day after data showed the U.S. economy grew at a faster pace than previously estimated. The Topix index advanced 0.8 percent to 1,376.64 at 9:02 a.m. in Tokyo, extending last week’s 1.6 percent gain, with all 33 industry groups climbing. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average added 0.8 percent to 17,140.68. The U.S. economy expanded 1.4 percent in the fourth quarter compared...

China Stocks Cap Second Weekly Gain as Consumer Staples Rally

China’s stocks capped a second week of gains as consumer-staples producers rallied on improving earnings prospects, while property developers halted a three-day slide. The Shanghai Composite Index added 0.8 percent this week. Kweichow Moutai Co. rose to a nine-month high after China International Capital Corp. said the liquor maker’s earnings may beat consensus estimates this year. Shanghai’s move to tighten criteria for non-local...

Nikkei rises on weaker yen, buyers seek dividends

Japanese stocks rose on Friday as a weaker yen raised sentiment, while investors bought stocks with high dividend yields such as life insurers before companies go ex-dividend next week. The Nikkei share average rose 0.7 percent to 17,002.75. It gained 1.7 percent for the week. The broader Topix rose 0.8 percent to 1,366.05 and the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 climbed 1.0 percent to 12,338.78. Source: reuter...

Oil Holds Biggest Loss in 6 Weeks as U.S. Stockpiles Expand Glut

Oil held the biggest loss in six weeks as rising U.S. crude stockpiles kept supplies at the highest level in more than eight decades. Futures dropped as much as 0.9 percent in New York after slumping 4 percent Wednesday, the most since Feb. 11. Inventories rose by more than three times what was projected in a Bloomberg survey, while imports last week increased to the highest since June 2013, Energy Information Administration data showed....

Dollar Rally Sends Gold, Oil Prices Lower as U.S. Stocks Slide

The dollar extended its longest winning streak in a month, while U.S. stocks slid a second day as prices for oil, gold and emerging markets retreated amid increasing speculation that the Federal Reserve is moving closer to raising interest rates. The U.S. currency gained for a fourth day versus the euro and the yen, sending the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index higher by 0.7 percent at 4 p.m. in New York. The greenback strengthened versus...

Asia Stocks Fall as Oil Drops, Investors Weigh Higher U.S. Rates

Asian stocks dropped for a second day as oil tumbled below $40 a barrel and investors weighed the direction of U.S. monetary policy. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell 0.5 percent to 128.10 as of 9:08 a.m. in Tokyo, heading for the lowest close in a week. U.S. shares retreated on Wednesday as Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard joined a chorus of U.S. policy makers floating the prospect of an interest-rate hike as...

Japanese Shares Fall Second Day as Oil Tumbles on U.S. Supplies

Japanese shares fell for a second day, following U.S. equities lower, as commodity shares led declines after crude oil dropped by the most in six weeks and speculation mounted that the Federal Reserve is moving closer to raising interest rates. The Topix index slipped 0.3 percent to 1,360.42 as of 9:01 a.m. in Tokyo, with three shares falling for every two that rose. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average retreated 0.2 percent to 16,964.18. U.S....

Hong Kong Shares Close Down Slightly

Hong Kong shares finished slightly lower on Wednesday as investors in Asia weighed signs of economic warming but remained on the sidelines after deadly bomb attacks in Brussels. The Hang Seng index fell 0.3 percent to 20,615.23 points, while the China Enterprises Index lost 0.3 percent to 8,873.33. The total trading volume of companies included in the HSI index was 1.2 billion shares...

Dollar Ascendant as Dovish Fed Member Sticks With Rate-Rise Dots

The dollar held three days of gains versus the euro and yen as a usually dovish Federal Reserve official signaled his expectation for more interest-rate increases than the market has priced. The U.S. currency has climbed against eight of its Group-of-10 peers this week with Chicago Fed President Charles Evans on Tuesday joining the ranks of officials who are pushing back against traders pricing a single rate increase at the end of 2016...

Pound Falls as Risk of Brexit Mounts on Brussels Terror Attack

The pound posted the biggest decline among major currencies amid speculation the Brussels terror attacks boost the case of campaigners who want to see Britain out of the European Union. Sterling fell the most in a month versus the dollar as the tragedy risked turning the U.K. currency into even more of a political football. Pro-“Brexit” politicians argued that migration leaves Britain vulnerable to attack, while figures in the...

Japan Stocks Rise After Yen Weakens in Wake of Brussels Attacks

Japanese shares rose for a second day as the yen weakened against the dollar following deadly terrorist attacks in Brussels. The Topix index added 0.2 percent to 1,372.13 as of 9:01 a.m. in Tokyo, as about two shares rose for each that fell. The measure gained on Tuesday after falling for the past two weeks. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average advanced 0.2 percent to 17,082.34. The yen traded at 112.25 per dollar after retreating 0.4 percent...

Hong Kong shares end lower as financial shares drag (Review)

Hong Kong shares finished slightly lower on Tuesday with financial shares leading indexes down, in line with a sell-off in mainland China markets.The Hang Seng index fell 0.1 percent to 20,666.75 points, while the China Enterprises Index lost 0.3 percent to 8,900.19.Total trading volume of companies included in the HSI index was 1.3 billion shares.In China, the CSI300 index .CSI300 of the largest listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen...

Nasdaq Edges Higher on Drugmakers Amid Longest Rally Since April

The Nasdaq Composite Index edged higher in light trading, giving the index a fifth straight gain and its longest advance in 11 months, while travel-related shares dragged the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lower after a deadly terrorist attack in Brussels. Nasdaq rose 0.3 percent to 4,821.66, pushing its gains over five days to 2 percent. The rally has come amid the lightest trading volume of the year, and delivered just one day of...

Dollar Climbs as Fed Officials Say April Rate Increase Possible

The dollar advanced for a second day as two Federal Reserve officials indicated that the central bank may raise interest rates as soon as next month, bolstering the appeal of assets denominated in the U.S. currency. The greenback climbed versus most of its major peers as Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart and San Francisco Fed chief John Williams said recent economic data may justify additional policy tightening after raising...

Oil futures settle higher as April WTI contracts expire

Oil futures gained on Monday, recouping much of their losses from late last week as the April West Texas Intermediate crude contracts expired. April WTI crude rose 47 cents, or 1.2%, to settle at $39.91 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The May contract which is now the front-month contract, tacked on 38 cents, or 0.9%, to end at $41.52 a barrel. Source: MarketWatc...

Hong Kong shares inch up as mainland market gains continue

Hong Kong shares edged up on Monday after mainland markets were buoyed by an announcement that the state margin lender would resume some of its short-term lending business and cut borrowing costs for brokerages.The Hang Seng index rose 0.1 percent, to 20,684.15, while the China Enterprises Index gained 0.5 percent, to 8,928.65 points.Total trading volume of companies included in the HSI index was 1.6 billion share...

U.S. Stocks Close Little Changed at 2016 High Amid 5-Week Rally

U.S. stocks edged higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average extending its longest winning streak since October, while investors assessed a rally that turned equities positive for the year. Commodity producers slipped and banks were little changed after bolstering the rebound from the worst start to a year ever. Deal activity helped buoy shares as Valspar Corp. surged after Sherwin-Williams Co. agreed to buy the company for about...

European stocks extend last week drop driven by miners, energy

European stocks closed lower Monday, swaying between small gains and losses and tracking moves in the U.S. dollar and oil prices. The Stoxx Europe 600 finished down a narrow 0.3% at 340.82. In the commodities space, mining shares were hurt, with Sweden’s Boliden AB losing 5% and platinum producer Anglo American off 1.1%. Industrial miner ArcelorMittal SA gave up 4%. Oil prices traded higher after showing choppy action earlier, with...

Gold Declines for Third Day as Dollar Stabilizes, Hurting Demand

Gold dropped for a third day as the dollar stabilized after a slump sparked by the Federal Reserve paring its interest-rate outlook for 2016. Bullion for immediate delivery declined as much as 0.4 percent to $1,250.99 an ounce and was at $1,251.60 at 9:50 a.m. in Singapore, according to Bloomberg generic pricing. The metal fell a combined 0.6 percent on Thursday and Friday. Gold has risen 18 percent this year, buoyed by speculation...

Oil Extends Drop as Dollar Stabilizes While Asian Stocks Advance

Crude oil fell, extending declines below $40 a barrel as the dollar reasserted itself following last week’s selloff and data showed the first increase this year in the U.S. rig count. Most Asian stocks climbed with markets in Japan closed for a holiday. West Texas Intermediate oil neared $39, extending losses from Friday that knocked the Bloomberg Commodity Index from a three-month high. The New Zealand dollar weakened with...

China Stocks Head for Longest Winning Streak in 10 Months

China’s stocks rose for a seventh day, sending the benchmark index toward its longest stretch of gains since May, after policy makers loosened controls on margin lending. The Shanghai Composite Index climbed 0.8 percent, led by brokerages and technology companies. China Securities Finance Corp., the state-backed agency that provides funding to brokerages for margin trading, said late Friday it will restart offering loans to...

Asian stocks ease as investors wary after oil drops

Asian stocks took a step back on Monday after three consecutive weeks of gains as a retreat in oil prices left investors in a ponderous mood about the health of the global economy. The MSCI Asia Pacific excluding Japan Index declined 0.4 percent to 412.76 as of 9:35 a.m. in Hong Kong.  Japanese markets are closed for a holiday. More than $4 trillion has been added to the value of global equities this month as stimulus efforts from...

Hong Kong shares end higher, gain 2.3 pct on week

Hong Kong shares rose on Friday, buoyed by gains in mainland China shares which were boosted by easing fears of capital outflows as the dollar weakened. The Hang Seng index rose 0.8 percent to 20,671.63 points, while the China Enterprises Index gained 1.2 percent to 8,883.01. Total trading volume of companies included in the HSI index was 2.2 billion shares. For the week, the Hang Seng was up 2.3 percent. Source : reuter...

Bursa saham Hong Kong bukukan keuntungan solid terkait keputusan The Fed (Review)

Bursa saham Hong Kong berakhir lebih tinggi pada hari Kamis setelah Federal Reserve mengurangi jumlah kenaikan suku bunga yang diharapkan tahun ini, menyokong kenaikan pada ekuitas global. Indeks Hang Seng naik 1,2 persen ke level 20,503.81 poin, sedangkan Indeks China Enterprises naik 2,4 persen ke level 8,773.83. Total volume perdagangan perusahaan yang termasuk dalam indeks HSI yakni sebesar 1,7 miliar saham. Sumber : re...

Oil Surges Above $40 in New York for First Time Since December

Oil surged above $40 a barrel in New York for the first time since December as central banks from the U.S. to Norway signaled they will continue to provide economic stimulus to support demand. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index fell a second day after the Federal Reserve scaled back expectations for the pace of interest-rate gains. A weaker dollar bolsters investor demand for commodities priced in the currency. U.S. crude output slid to...

Gold Rallies as Dollar Slumps on The Fed’s Rate-Hike Retreat

Gold futures bounced back to settle higher on Thursday as the U.S dollar beat a hasty retreat after the Federal Reserve scaled back expectations for the next interest-rate hike. Gold for April delivery tacked on $35.20, or $2.9%, to settle at $1,265. Gold has reclaimed its upside momentum and has the potential for an extended rally if it closes above $1,287.80 in the near term, which was last week’s high, said Jim Wyckoff, senior...

Dow Average Recovers 2016 Losses as Stocks Rally on Dollar Slide

The Dow Jones Industrial Average erased its 2016 losses, as a weaker dollar spurred a rally in commodity producers and industrial shares that spread to the broader U.S. stock market. Equities pushed to the highest levels since the end of last year as a gamut of companies that benefit from a lower U.S. currency, from General Electric Co. to Coca-Cola Co., surged. A scaled-back pace of interest-rate increases from the Federal Reserve...

Europe Stocks Close Little Changed as Oil Jump Offsets Bank Drop

European stocks closed little changed, almost erasing intraday losses, as a surge in oil countered a decline in banks and exporters. Miners and energy shares tracked gains in crude, with Anglo American Plc and Glencore Plc up more than 9 percent. Banks were among the worst performers on the Stoxx Europe 600 Index, while BMW AG and Continental AG led carmakers lower. Europe’s benchmark lost less than 0.1 percent at the close. It reversed...