Market Minutes

Read snapshots of the latest market news

Palantir at record high as US markets show mixed performance

The Nasdaq outperformed other US indices after Palantir Technologies reported stronger-than-expected third-quarter results and raised guidance for Q4 2025 on robust AI demand. By contrast, the Dow underperformed amid a soft ISM manufacturing PMI, which extended the sector’s run of contraction to eight months.

Amazon hits record highs as US stocks climb

US equity markets advanced after a wave of third-quarter results that largely exceeded expectations, led by Amazon’s strong performance. Investors weighed robust corporate fundamentals against recent hawkish commentary from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who warned that a December rate cut is not assured.

US stocks fall on Meta earnings, AI cost concerns

US equity indices declined after Meta Platforms reported a substantial year-on-year fall in earnings per share (EPS), which weighed on market sentiment and prompted broad profit-taking. Investors also pared expectations for a 25-basis-point Federal Reserve cut in December following comments from Chair Jerome Powell.

Fed cuts rates and will finish QT, no December cut guarantee

The Federal Reserve reduced its policy rate by 25 basis points and announced that its quantitative-tightening (QT) programme will end on 1 December. The committee emphasised that a further reduction at the December meeting is not assured and that future decisions will remain data dependent.

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.