Global Markets:
- Asian Stock Markets : Nikkei down 0.30%, Shanghai Composite down 1.19%, Hang Seng down 1.86% ASX down 0.68%
- Commodities : Gold at $5191.76 (-2.95%) Silver at $109.005 (-4.72%), Brent Oil at $68.49 (-1.57%), WTI Oil at $64.32 (-1.68%)
- Rates : US 10-year yield at 4.269, UK 10-year yield at 4.5140, Germany 10-year yield at 2.8308
News & Data:
- (USD) Unemployment Claims 209K to 206K expected
Markets Update:
Asian stock markets were mixed on Friday, tracking uneven cues from Wall Street overnight. Sentiment was pressured by sharp declines in technology stocks after Microsoft fell on weaker cloud growth and cautious guidance, while Apple warned of margin pressures. However, rising crude oil prices supported energy stocks and helped limit broader losses. Asian markets had ended mixed in the previous session.
Investor confidence was further dampened by escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump warned that American forces were ready to take severe action if Iran refused nuclear negotiations, while Iran signaled it would retaliate, heightening geopolitical uncertainty.
In Australia, the stock market traded modestly lower after early gains. The S&P/ASX 200 slipped below the 8,900 mark, weighed down by losses in gold miners and technology stocks, though financial and energy shares provided some support. Major miners declined, while oil stocks advanced amid higher crude prices. Banking stocks edged higher, while tech stocks mostly weakened, except Appen, which surged sharply on upbeat quarterly revenue.
Japan’s stock market fell significantly in choppy trading, with the Nikkei 225 dropping below 52,950. Technology stocks dragged the index lower, partially offset by gains in automakers and financials. Elsewhere in Asia, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan recorded notable losses, while several Southeast Asian markets posted modest gains.
On Wall Street, U.S. stocks pared early losses on Thursday, with the Dow ending slightly higher, while the Nasdaq closed lower due to continued tech-sector weakness. European markets finished mixed. Crude oil prices jumped sharply amid concerns over potential supply disruptions stemming from Middle East tensions.
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