Help
Market Minutes
Read snapshots of the latest market news
Apple nears $4 trillion as Trump pushes for rate cuts
Apple’s market capitalisation approached US$4 trillion as investors anticipated robust iPhone 17 revenues and the company’s resilience amid US–China commercial tensions. At the same time, President Donald Trump intensified public pressure on the Federal Reserve to adopt a more aggressive easing stance ahead of this week’s policy decision.
Global stocks hit records on US–China trade optimism
Major equity indices in the United States, Europe and Asia closed at record levels amid growing optimism about a potential US–China trade agreement and expectations that the Federal Reserve will begin cutting interest rates this week.
US markets on record highs amid inflation below forecasts
Major US equity indices reached record highs after inflation data in the United States came in below consensus, increasing the probability of Federal Reserve rate cuts. Both headline and core inflation were reported at 3.0 per cent year-on-year, softer than many market participants had expected.
Oil prices rose amid more sanctions on Russian oil companies
Brent and WTI futures climbed sharply after the United States and the European Union intensified sanctions on Russian energy firms, lifting the geopolitical risk premium. At the same time, confirmation of a meeting between Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping reduced the commercial risk premium and supported US equity gains.
Netflix shares drop on mixed results as US shutdown continues
Major US equity indices fell after Netflix reported mixed third-quarter results and as trade tensions between the United States and China escalated. The US federal government shutdown persists after Democrats rejected the most recent Republican proposal, now making it the second-longest in US history.
Gold plunges on lower risk premium and possible profit-taking
Gold and other precious metals fell sharply amid likely profit-taking and a reduction in the risk premium as trade tensions eased. Japan’s election of Sanae Takaichi as prime minister boosted the Nikkei-225 to fresh highs while the yen weakened.
Nikkei at record high on Japan stimulus hopes
A combination of rising expectations of expansionary policy in Japan and stronger-than-expected Chinese economic data propelled the Nikkei 225 to a record closing high. Chinese third-quarter GDP, industrial production and retail-sales figures exceeded analysts’ forecasts, supporting broader Asian equities.
US indices rise on easing trade tensions
Easing commercial tensions between the United States and China, together with broadly resilient bank earnings, supported a weekly recovery in major US equity indices. At the same time, the Bank of England signalled that interest-rate cuts may need to be implemented more slowly amid persistent inflationary pressures.
US shutdown drags on as gold hits record high
A failure to reach a bipartisan agreement in the US Senate has left the government shutdown in place, exacerbating uncertainty and prompting investors to seek safe havens. Gold futures rose to a new record, while major US equity indices declined amid concerns.
China deflation persists; Japan, EU industrial output falls
Consumption and production indicators in major economies showed contraction. China recorded deflation in its consumer price index, while industrial production in Japan and the European Union contracted.