World Shares

World shares inch higher, many Asian markets closed for Lunar New Year

Shares were higher Monday in Europe and in Asia, where most markets were closed for the Lunar New Year holiday. Germany's DAX edged 0.1 per cent higher, to 15,058.49 while the CAC 40 in Paris also gained 0.1 per cent to 7,002.30. Britain's FTSE 100 added 0.2 per cent to 7,786.30. The future for the S&P 500 lost less than 0.1 per cent while the future for the Dow industrials was unchanged. In Asia, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index added 1.3 per cent to 26,906.04 as investors shrugged off Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki's comments that Japan is facing an unprecedentedly severe" financial situation after spending heavily to counter the pandemic and other troubles. Finances are the cornerstone of a country's trust," Suzuki told lawmakers in parliament. We must secure fiscal space under normal circumstances to safeguard trust in Japan and people's livelihoods in times of crisis." Japan's national debt, already more than twice its gross domestic product, has grown further as the government has

World shares mostly lower after tech-led fall on Wall Street today

Shares were mostly lower in Europe and Asia on Wednesday as markets were counting down to the end of a painful year for investors, with no end in sight to uncertainties stemming from the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Shares fell in Frankfurt, Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai and Seoul but rose in London and Hong Kong as the Chinese government took further steps to reopen to foreign travel after relaxing its stringent zero-COVID policies. Oil prices fell back and US futures inched higher. Not all world markets have ended the year on low notes. Britain's FTSE 100 is at about the level it started 2022. Early Wednesday it was up 0.7 per cent at 7,525.42. But most other markets have suffered as interest rate increases, waves of coronavirus infections, the war, supply chain disruptions and surging inflation took a toll on businesses and investments. Germany's DAX lost 0.3 per cent to 13,952.83. It's down about 13 per cent from the start of the year. The CAC 40 in Paris, which is about 9 per ce

World shares advance after China relaxes more Covid-19 restrictions

World shares advanced Tuesday after China announced it would relax more of its pandemic restrictions despite widespread outbreaks of COVID-19 that are straining its medical systems and disrupting business. China's National Health Commission said Monday that passengers arriving from abroad will no longer have to observe a quarantine, starting Jan. 8. They will still need a negative virus test within 48 hours of their departure and to wear masks on their flights. But it was the latest step toward dropping once-strict virus-control measures that have severely limited travel to and from the world's No. 2 economy. With economic activity floundering, and multinationals questioning the viability of China as a sourcing location, policymakers have as so many times in the past adopted a very business-like approach," Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a commentary. Companies welcomed the move as an important step toward reviving slumping business activity. Germany's DAX gained 0

World shares mixed before updates on US consumer spending, durable goods

Shares rose in Europe on Friday after a retreat in Asia ahead of updates on US consumer spending and durable goods orders. Benchmarks climbed in London and Paris but fell in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul. Oil prices surged more than USD1 a barrel. Japan reported its core inflation rate, excluding volatile fresh foods, rose to 3.7per cent in November, the highest level since 1981, as surging costs for oil and other commodities added to upward price pressures in the world's third-largest economy. While price increases are much more modest in Japan than in the US and most major European and emerging economies, they add to pressure on the Bank of Japan to adjust longstanding policies that have kept interest rates ultra-low to spur growth. For Japan, deflation falling prices rather than inflation has been the key concern for most of the past few decades. Recession in coming months remains a greater concern, economists say. Inflation edged up in November and will peak at around 4 per cen

Global shares regaining stability, but face most monthly losses since 2008

Decision by the BOJ, the last dove of the major central banks, has added to concern among investors about how impact of rising interest rates and persistent inflation will affect the global economy

World shares slip as markets await US midterm election results, price data

World shares were mostly lower on Wednesday as investors awaited the outcome of the US midterm elections and a major inflation update due on Thursday. Benchmarks fell in London, Paris, Frankfurt and Tokyo. Chinese shares declined after weak inflation data provided further evidence of weakening demand in the world's second-largest economy. US futures also declined. With votes still being counted across the country, Republicans still had the opportunity to win control of Congress. But Democrats showed surprising strength, defeating Republicans in some competitive races despite expectations that inflation and President Joe Biden's low approval ratings would drag the party down. The elections could determine how much is done in the next several years in Washington, and possibly beyond. If Republicans gain control of at least one house of Congress, standoffs with the Democratic White House could stymie progress on legislation. Stocks rallied recently on expectations Republicans might wi

World shares rise as investors hope for China's zero-Covid policy easing

World shares were higher on Friday, led by gains in Chinese markets as investors grasped at hopes for an easing of the country's stringent pandemic controls. Hong Kong's benchmark soared more than 7 per cent but then fell back, gaining 5.4 per cent after a Communist Party newspaper, the Global Times, reported that local officials were being told not to impose overly burdensome restrictions to curb coronavirus infections. The Shanghai Composite index also jumped, gaining 2.4 per cent as sentiment was buoyed by an article in the party newspaper People's Daily by China's former top trade envoy, Liu He, who said the country would continue its market reforms. He appeared to be seeking to allay concerns after Liu and some other prominent reformers were dropped from the top ranks of leadership at a party congress last month. European benchmarks were also higher in early trading. France's CAC 40 added 0.9 per cent to 6,299.09. Germany's DAX rose 07 per cent to 13,216.27. Britain's FTSE 10

Wall Street jumps over 1% in choppy trading as yields dip

World shares tumbled on Wednesday after a wobbly day on Wall Street as markets churned over the prospect of a possible recession. US futures and oil prices declined and China's yuan weakened sharply. Trading has been volatile since the Dow Jones Industrial Average followed other major US indexes into a bear market earlier this week. In early trading, Germany's DAX lost 1.3 per cent to 11,983.29 and the FTSE 100 in London was also down 1.3 per cent, at 6,895.21. In Paris, the CAC40 gave up 0.9 per cent to 5,702.50. The future for the S and P 500 was 0.8 per cent lower and the contract for the Dow industrials lost 0.6 per cent. China's yuan fell to a 14-year low against the dollar Wednesday despite central bank efforts to stem the slide after US interest rate hikes prompted traders to convert money into dollars in search of higher returns. The yuan fell to 7.2301 to the dollar, its lowest level since January 2008. One yuan was worth about 13.8 cents, down 15per cent from its March

World shares mixed; British pound falls to all-time low on tax cut concerns

Global shares were mixed Monday while the British pound declined to an all-time low against the US dollar on concerns over planned tax cuts. France's CAC 40 rose 0.2% in early trading to 5,795.88, while Germany's DAX added 0.2% to 12,311.57. Britain's FTSE 100 edged 0.1% higher to 7,025.51. The futures for the Dow industrials and the S&P 500 were 0.1% lower. In Asian trading, Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 shed 2.7% to finish at 26,431.55. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 dipped 1.6% to 6,469.40. South Korea's Kospi dropped 3.0% to 2,220.94. Hong Kong's Hang Seng gave up 0.4% to 17,855.14, while the Shanghai Composite lost 1.2% to 3,051.23. The British pound's slide against the dollar picked up pace last week after the UK's new government outlined plans to cut taxes and boost spending. The weakening currency piles pressure on the UK's new Conservative government, which has gambled that slashing taxes and increasing borrowing to compensate will spur economic growth. Many economists say .

World shares mostly higher after wobbly yield of gains on Wall Street

World shares were mostly higher on Thursday after a wobbly day of trading yielded modest gains on Wall Street. Germany's DAX added 0.4 per cent to 13,075.05 while the CAC 40 in Paris edged 0.1 per cent higher to 6.230.03. Britain's FTSE 100 climbed 0.6 per cent to 7,320.71. The futures for the S and P 500 and the Dow industrials were up 0.3 per cent. A report on inflation at the wholesale level released on Wednesday showed that prices are still rising rapidly, with pressures building underneath the surface, even if overall inflation slowed. It echoed a report on inflation at the consumer level on Tuesday, which raised expectations for interest-rate hikes and triggered a rout for markets. Investors worry rate hikes by the Federal Reserve to cool surging prices could go too far in slowing the US economy and send it into a recession. The Fed is trying to avoid that outcome, but the latest inflation reports suggest that is becoming a more difficult task. But markets appeared to have

World shares mostly gain after Wall Street hits three-month highs

World shares were mixed Thursday after Wall Street benchmarks closed at three-month highs as investors cheered a report showing inflation cooled more than expected in July. U.S. futures edged higher and oil prices also advanced. The U.S. government said Wednesday that consumer inflation jumped 8.5% in July from a year earlier. But that was down from June's four-decade high of 9.1%. Germany's DAX edged 0.2% lower, to 13,674.98, while in Paris the CAC 40 added 0.1% to 6,531.38. Britain's FTSE 100 slipped 0.1% to 7,498.34. The futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average were 0.2% higher. On Wednesday, the S&P 500 surged 2.1% on expectations that slower inflation will mean the Federal Reserve may moderate its interest rates hikes. Technology stocks, cryptocurrencies and other investments that have been among the year's biggest losers due to the Fed's aggressive rate hikes led the way. The Nasdaq composite, whose many high-growth and expensive-looking stocks have ..

World stocks hit 7-week highs, dollar squeezed vs yen amid rate hikes

LONDON/SYDNEY (Reuters) - World stocks hit seven-week highs on Monday, buoyed by recent strong corporate earnings and declining expectations for hefty interest rate rises, while the dollar slid against the yen as speculators exited suddenly unprofitable short positions.

Global shares take breather after Fed rally, dollar retreats on yen

The U.S. Federal Reserve had surprised no one by lifting rates 75 basis points (bps) to 2.25%-2.50% on Wednesday, but did alter its statement to cite some softening in recent data.

Global growth headed down as inflation surge to endure, says poll

BENGALURU (Reuters) - The global economy is mired in a serious slowdown, with some key economies at high risk of recession and only sparse meaningful cooling in inflation likely over the coming year, according to Reuters polls of hundreds of economists worldwide.

Stocks edge up to hit six week high, US dollar weaker after soft data

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A gauge of global stocks edged higher on Friday, poised for a sixth straight day of gains, while the dollar dipped against a basket of major currencies following soft data on U.S. business activity.

World shares hit 3-week high as recession fears ease, dollar hovers low

World shares hit a three-week high on Wednesday as strong US corporate earnings and the expected resumption of Russian gas supply to Europe allayed fears of a recession

World shares slide ahead of US' inflation data, earnings hurdles

World shares have dropped looking at US' recession according to recent reports

Global stocks rise in holiday mood on resilient oil; Nikkei up 0.84%

Global stocks have risen banking on a US holiday mood, with oil prices recover based on tight supply balancing US recession fears

Smallcap World Fund offloads 2.5 mn Hikal Ltd shares worth Rs 62 crore

Smallcap World Fund Inc on Wednesday offloaded 25 lakh shares of life science firm Hikal Ltd for over Rs 62 crore through an open market transaction. According to the bulk deal data available with the National Stock Exchange (NSE), Smallcap World Fund sold 25,00,000 shares at an average price of Rs 249.02 apiece, valuing the transaction size at Rs 62.25 crore. As of March 2022, Smallcap World Fund owned a 3.47 per cent stake in the company. Shares of Hikal Ltd closed 2.39 per cent lower at Rs 249.25 apiece on BSE.

Global shares trade lower ahead of US' first quarter economic growth report

Shares slipped Wednesday in Europe and Asia ahead of the latest update on US economic growth, while oil prices were lower. The Commerce Department was due to release a report on first-quarter gross domestic product later in the day. Investors worried by uncertainty over inflation, rising interest rates and the potential for a recession also were awaiting remarks by central bank leaders including Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Germany's DAX lost 1.2 per cent to 13,071.73, while the CAC 40 in Paris was almost unchanged at 6,049.31. Britain's FTSE 100 shed 0.5 per cent to 7,287.26. The futures for the Dow industrials and S&P 500 were up 0.1 per cent. On Tuesday, the S&P 500 fell 2 per cent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.6 per cent, and the Nasdaq fell 3 per cent after a survey showed weaker than expected consumer confidence in the US, mainly due to surging prices. A weaker-than-expected US consumer confidence reading highlighted worsening consumer expectations due to ...