Market Update

Japan’s Nikkei closed higher on Friday, July 2, as gains in export-focused Sony and Toyota Motor Group offset by a weaker yen in chip-related stocks, but the index closed lower for the week on concerns about new infections with the Coronavirus. The Nikkei index rose 0.27% to 28,783.28 points, after …

The U.S. Dollar hit a three-month high on Thursday, with markets reacting positively to recent economic data and anticipating the release of Friday’s nonfarm payrolls report. The Dollar index (DXY), which measures the greenback’s performance against a basket of six major international currencies, rose above 92.60 for the first time …

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) finished higher on Thursday, opening July and the second half of the year with another record-breaking performance, with Wall Street investors optimistic about the upcoming jobs report. Recent economic data showed progress on the road to recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, with the drop …

Oil prices surged on Thursday, amid anticipation for the outcomes of the OPEC+ ministerial meeting, which is expected to announce tomorrow its decision on output policy for August and beyond. The decision has now been delayed twice from Wednesday to Friday, amid discussion about easing production cuts by about 400,000 …

Gold prices rose on Thursday for the second consecutive session, amid the U.S. Dollar (USD) continued rise to its highest level in about three months, on the back of positive economic data. Gold futures for August delivery increased by $5.20, or 0.30%, to close at $1,776.80 per ounce. Over the …

The OPEC+ alliance ministerial meeting decided to delay the decision on output policy until Friday, according to recent media reports. It was reported that the alliance was near an agreement on raising production levels by about two million barrels per day between August and December through an increase of about …

Construction spending in the United States declined last month against market expectations, despite the increasing private homebuilding activity, amid decline in public and nonresidential, data showed on Thursday. Construction spending fell by 0.3% in May, following a slight increase of 0.1% in April, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. …

Manufacturing activity in the U.S. expanded last month, however, employment declined for the first time in seven months, data showed on Thursday. The manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) leveled down to 60.6 in June, from 61.2 in May, according to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). The PMI reached its …

Manufacturing activity in the United States stabilized in June, according to recent data. The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) registered 62.1 in June, maintaining its reading in May. However, the reading came below the previous flash estimate of 62.6. Operating conditions registered its best improvement, …

The S&P 500 index started the second half of the year at record levels on Thursday after data showed that the number of weekly applications for unemployment benefits came in less than expected, while Walgreens shares gained after the company raised its forecast for annual profits. The S&P 500 index …