Japan’s Nikkei 225 index rose 1.03% on Friday, closing at 34,730.28, marking its highest finish in two weeks and notching its strongest weekly performance since mid-January, as hopes grew for progress in U.S.-led trade negotiations. The index touched an intraday high of 34,758.97 before paring slightly into the close. The …

Oil prices surged more than 3% on Thursday, marking their strongest daily gain in weeks, as optimism over a potential U.S.-European Union trade deal and fresh U.S. sanctions on Iran stoked concerns about future supply constraints. Brent crude futures settled $2.11 higher, or 3.2%, at $67.96 a barrel West Texas …

U.S. stock index futures showed a mixed performance Thursday, with the tech sector staging a recovery after Wednesday’s heavy losses, as optimism grew over potential trade deals between the U.S. and its key global partners. As of 06:00 ET (10:00 GMT): Dow Jones Futures declined 70 points, or 0.2% S&P …

European equity indices traded in narrow ranges on Thursday as investors remained cautious ahead of the European Central Bank’s (ECB) latest policy decision and digested a fresh round of corporate earnings. As of 03:15 ET (07:15 GMT), Germany’s DAX index rose 0.4%, while the CAC 40 in France slipped 0.2% …

Gold prices slipped in Asian trading on Thursday, pulling back from fresh record highs as investors booked profits following a sharp rally, while hawkish signals from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell tempered bullish sentiment across precious metals. Spot gold fell 0.7% to $3,320.56/oz Gold futures (June delivery) dropped 0.4% to …

Bitcoin climbed on Thursday, rebounding from Wednesday’s lows as investors welcomed signs of possible trade de-escalation between the U.S. and major partners like Japan and China. Meanwhile, hawkish comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell added a dose of caution but did little to dent the rebound in crypto markets. …

The U.S. dollar edged higher in Asian trading on Thursday, rebounding from multi-month lows against the yen as U.S.-Japan trade talks steered clear of currency issues, easing fears of official efforts to strengthen the yen. However, the dollar’s broader downtrend remains intact amid ongoing doubts about U.S. economic stability, tariff …

Oil prices rose for a second straight session in Asian trading on Thursday, fueled by renewed geopolitical tensions and supply disruption risks following the U.S. imposition of new sanctions on Iranian oil exports, while investors digested mixed U.S. inventory data. As of 21:35 ET (01:35 GMT): Brent crude (June delivery) …

The U.S. dollar resumed its sharp decline on Wednesday, falling broadly across major currencies as escalating trade tensions, shaky investor sentiment, and growing fears of a U.S. recession weighed on the greenback. The losses were most pronounced against traditional safe-haven currencies such as the Swiss franc and euro. Greenback Hit …

Oil prices rose 1% on Wednesday, rebounding from early losses as reports suggested a possible thaw in U.S.-China relations, even as persistent concerns over a prolonged trade war and slowing global demand continued to weigh on the broader outlook. As of 09:37 GMT: Brent crude futures were up 64 cents …