最新ニュース SPDR S&P China ETF (ARCA:GXC)

SPDR S&P China ETF

Consumer Cyclical

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Technology

Consumer Defensive

Healthcare

Basic Materials

Energy

Real Estate

Utilities

The fund generally invests substantially all, but at least 80%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the index and in depositary receipts based on securities comprising the index. The index is a market capitalization weighted index designed to define and measure the investable universe of publicly traded companies domiciled in China available to foreign investors.

Tencent Holdings Ltd

PDD Holdings Inc

China Construction Bank H

GXChain

China's annual National People's Congress (NPC) kicked off on March 5 and is set to run until March 11. According to Adam Turnquist, chief technical strategist at LPL Financial, while the NPC may be a rubber stamp for party policies, investors are closely <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/china">monitoring its developments</a>.
The market reaction suggests renewed optimism, with Chinese equities rallying and fixed income markets showing signs of life. The iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FXI#NYSE">FXI</a>) is up 5.48% over the past five days. The KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KWEB#NYSE">KWEB</a>) is up 9.88% and the iShares MSCI China ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHI#NASDAQ">MCHI</a>) has gained 5.90% over the same period.
But is this the real turning point for China's economy &#8211; or just another sugar high?
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Growth Target: Can China Hit 5%?</h2>
Premier Li Qiang reaffirmed China's 2025 growth target at 5%, marking the third consecutive year of this goal. Turnquist notes that while this target was expected, economists remain skeptical, forecasting closer to 4.5% growth. Economists, however, are skeptical, pegging actual growth closer to 4.5%.
The government's strategy? A mix of fiscal stimulus and accommodative monetary policy. For investors, this means China-sensitive ETFs such as MWEB, FXI and MCHI could see continued momentum if policymakers deliver on pro-growth measures.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/emerging-market-etfs/25/03/44089512/3-china-focused-etfs-to-watch-as-stronger-manufacturing-data-stimulus-hopes-boost-sentiment">3 China-Focused ETFs To Watch As Stronger Manufacturing Data, Stimulus Hopes Boost Sentiment</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fiscal Deficit Jumps &#8211; More Stimulus Incoming?</h2>
Beijing raised its budget deficit to 4% of GDP, the highest since 1994, to spur domestic demand. Turnquist highlights that this shift signals a commitment to boosting consumption and infrastructure spending. This includes boosting infrastructure and real estate spending, doubling funding for consumer trade-in subsidies and ramping up local government support.
The stimulus push could bode well for infrastructure-heavy ETFs like Global X MSCI China Financials ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHIX#NYSE">CHIX</a>) and KraneShares China Infrastructure ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KFVG#NYSE">KFVG</a>).
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Domestic Growth Takes Center Stage</h2>
China is moving away from its export-heavy playbook, prioritizing domestic consumption. The government is also warming up to tech firms, with a new national venture capital fund aimed at reviving the sector. 
That's bullish for consumer and tech-heavy plays such as Invesco Golden Dragon China ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PGJ#NYSE">PGJ</a>) and KraneShares MSCI All China Health Care ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KURE#NYSE">KURE</a>).
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Markets Are Buying The News</h2>
Chinese stocks welcomed the NPC's stance, with the MSCI China Index jumping 2.8% and now up 16.1% year-to-date. Turnquist points out that the market reaction suggests improving investor confidence, particularly if technical levels hold. The rally is broadening, with over two-thirds of index stocks trading above their 200-day moving average. 
A close above 77 could signal a major breakout, making this a pivotal moment for ETFs like SPDR S&amp;P China ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GXC#NYSE">GXC</a>).
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fixed Income Markets Join The Party</h2>
After months of skepticism, China's bond market is starting to price in better growth prospects. Turnquist observes that rising yields and a steepening yield curve indicate that fixed income investors are beginning to buy into the recovery narrative. Sovereign 10-year yields have rebounded from record lows, and the yield curve is steepening—a sign that bond investors are getting on board with the recovery narrative.
China's latest policy moves are sending strong signals to investors: more stimulus, a pivot to domestic growth and a friendlier environment for tech and infrastructure.
While skepticism remains, market momentum suggests traders are willing to give China the benefit of the doubt—for now. Keep an eye on FXI, MCHI, KWEB, CHIX, KFVG, PGJ, and GXC to ride the potential upside.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44102063/china-strikes-back-at-trumps-tariffs-with-retaliatory-duties-us-company-sanctions-and-wto-showdown">China Strikes Back At Trump&#8217;s Tariffs With Retaliatory Duties, US Company Sanctions, And WTO Showdown</a></li>
</ul>

Analyst Color

Asia

Macro Economic Events

Specialty ETFs

Economics

Markets

Analyst Ratings

ETFs

CHIX

KraneShares Trust KraneShares CICC China 5G and Semiconductor Index ETF

KFVG

KURE

KWEB

MCHI

PowerShares Golden Dragon Halter USX China Portfolio

China's Market Rebound: Is The NPC Meeting A Turning Point For Investors?

On Monday, March 3rd, U.S. markets closed sharply lower after Trump announced 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, with the S&amp;P 500 seeing its worst drop since December. Stocks had already slipped after an ISM survey showed declining manufacturing PMI. Investors, expecting a delay, reacted as markets priced in the tariff impact.
Related: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/03/44098232/markets-tank-after-trump-confirms-more-tariffs-heres-what-wall-street-is-saying" rel="noreferrer noopener">Markets Tank After Trump Confirms More Tariffs: Here&#8217;s What Wall Street Is Saying</a>
The New Orders Index contracted to 48.6%, while the Production Index expanded to 50.7%. Prices surged to 62.4% due to tariff-driven costs. Employment fell to 47.6%, indicating workforce reductions. New Export Orders dipped to 51.4%, while Imports rose to 52.6%.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors fell, led by tech, energy, and consumer discretionary stocks, while real estate and consumer staples gained.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.348% to close at 43,191.24, the S&amp;P 500 declined 1.76% to 5,849.72, and the Nasdaq Composite was down 2.64% to 18,350.19.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Tuesday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 declined 1.34% to 37,318.50, led by losses in the Fishery, Transportation Equipment, and Chemical sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 slid 0.58%, closing at 8,198.10, led by losses in the Energy, Utilities and Resources sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 was down 0.18% to 22,080.30, led by losses in the Auto, Technology, and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods sectors, while the Nifty 500 gained 0.06% to 19,909.40.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite gained 0.22% to 3,324.21, and the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 fell 0.08% to 3,885.22.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng fell 0.28%, ending the session at 22,941.77.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was down 1.85%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX declined 1.98%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC fell 1.14%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded lower by 0.29%</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 0.80% at $67.82/bbl, and Brent was down 1.10% at $70.82/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices fell as OPEC+ confirmed an April output hike, and U.S. tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China took effect, prompting retaliatory measures. Trump&#8217;s pause on Ukraine aid also raised speculation of potential Russian sanctions relief, further pressuring crude markets.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 0.46% to $4.102.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.80% at $2,924.29, Silver was up 0.47% to $32.465, and Copper slipped 1.62% to $4.5322.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were down 0.15%, S&amp;P 500 futures fell 0.16% and Nasdaq 100 futures slid 0.04%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. Dollar Index slipped 0.26% to 106.27, USD/JPY was down 0.43% to 148.85, and USD/AUD rose 0.02% to 1.6069.</li>
<li>The U.S. dollar fell Tuesday amid trade tensions and economic slowdown fears despite new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China.</li>
<li>Trump&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44092335/trumps-tariffs-threaten-canada-mexico-china-and-american-wallets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">25% tariffs</a> on Canada and Mexico and increased duties on Chinese goods took effect, triggering retaliatory measures. China imposed new tariffs and restrictions, while Canada and Mexico planned countermeasures. Markets reacted negatively, fearing economic disruptions, rising costs, and recession risks. Trump&#8217;s aggressive trade policies continue reshaping global commerce.</li>
</ul>
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News

Emerging Markets

Eurozone

Futures

Commodities

Forex

ADIV

AGOV

ASHR

BBEU

BOIL

CQQQ

PowerShares DBmmodity Index Optimum Yield Diversified Fund

EEMA

FLAX

CurrencyShares British Pound Sterling Trust

IEMG

IEUR

KraneShares Trust KraneShares S&P Pan Asia Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF

KDIV

SPEM

USDU

PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund

Asia And Europe Markets Decline; Oil Falls As OPEC+ Confirms Output Hike - Global Markets Today While US Slept

ETFs with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">significant exposure to Chinese stocks</a> surged on Monday, as stronger-than-expected manufacturing data and expectations of fresh stimulus from Beijing boosted investor confidence. The gains helped recoup some of last week's losses, which were driven by economic uncertainty and trade tensions between <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43938959/trump-targets-chinas-tech-sector-with-stricter-biden-era-chip-curbs-it-will-backfire-says-beijing">China and the U.S</a>. 
Several ETFs tracking Chinese stocks inched up in response to the market rebound.
ETFs To Watch
KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KWEB#NYSE">KWEB</a>) Gained 0.6% at 12:51 pm EST as Chinese tech stocks rebounded amid optimism about a consumer demand recovery. Alibaba Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) is one of the fund&#8217;s top holdings.
GraniteShares 2x Long BABA Daily ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABX#NASDAQ">BABX</a>): Mirrored Alibaba's rebound as investors anticipated stimulus-driven consumer spending growth and gained 2.3% as of 12:51 pm EST.
SPDR S&amp;P China ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GXC#NYSE">GXC</a>): Gained as investor sentiment improved toward high-growth technology stocks listed on China's Star Market. Alibaba holds one of the premium positions in the fund&#8217;s holdings.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/44040003/alibaba-expands-ai-workforce-while-deepseek-slashes-model-prices-in-market-battle">Alibaba Expands AI Intern Workforce While DeepSeek Slashes Model Prices in Market Battle</a>
Market Rebound Amid Trade War Concerns
Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 1.2% by lunch break, recovering from Friday's biggest decline in four months, while the Hang Seng Tech Index gained 0.7%. On the mainland, the blue chip CSI300 Index added 0.5%, and the Shanghai Composite Index climbed 0.3%, reversing some of Friday's 2% drop.
The rebound came after both official and private-sector surveys showed China's <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/03/china-february-caixin-pmi.html">manufacturing </a>activity expanded at the fastest pace in three months in February. Higher purchase volumes and rising new orders contributed to stronger industrial production, easing investor concerns about the country's economic strength.
Despite the moderate gains, market sentiment remained cautious as both China and the U.S. prepared to impose additional tariffs on each other. President Donald Trump announced an additional 10% tariff on all Chinese imports. In response, China is expected to implement countermeasures, likely targeting American agricultural exports, according to reports from Global Times.
However, analysts at Bank of America noted that these moves are likely negotiation tactics rather than signals of an impending full-scale trade war. &#8220;We think these moves are still tactics to put more bargaining chips on the table before negotiations take place,&#8221; they wrote in a research note.
Stimulus Expectations
Investors are now closely watching the &#8220;Two Sessions&#8221; meetings set to begin on Tuesday, where Beijing is expected to announce fresh economic stimulus measures. Policymakers are likely to maintain China's economic growth <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-02/xi-prepares-to-unveil-china-stimulus-plan-as-trade-war-heats-up?sref=TBDibEcD">target </a>at around 5% while outlining a budget deficit of 4% of GDP, according to Bloomberg.
Despite cautious investor expectations regarding the parliamentary meetings, Goldman Sachs analysts highlighted that policy support aimed at boosting domestic demand could lead to further stock market gains. Historically, stimulus measures have disproportionately benefited high-quality, discounted Chinese stocks, making ETFs a preferred vehicle for capitalizing on market shifts.
Alibaba And Blue-Chip Stocks In Focus
Alibaba Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) remains a key focus for investors as it represents both China's growing technology sector and consumer spending trends. As economic stimulus measures trickle down, Alibaba and similar blue-chip stocks are poised to be among the first to attract fresh capital. 
Also, last week, Alibaba made its video and image-generating AI model, Wan 2.1, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43970279/alibaba-and-deepseek-intensify-ai-showdown-challenging-openai-and-nvidias-market-dominance">publicly available on ModelScope and HuggingFace</a> for academic, research, and commercial use. It has committed $53 billion over three years to enhance its AI and cloud infrastructure. Additionally, Alibaba CEO Eddie Wu met Chongqing's party secretary to discuss potential AI collaborations. These developments have sent Alibaba on a rally.
Investors eager to capitalize on the market&#8217;s resurgence may find opportunities in ETFs that provide broad exposure to China's leading companies. However, trade tensions and policy announcements in the coming weeks will likely determine the sustainability of this rebound.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/03/44085268/market-mayhem-5-etfs-that-soared-amid-volatility-last-week">Market Mayhem: 5 ETFs That Soared Amid Volatility Last Week</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Emerging Market ETFs

BABA

BABX

KSTR

YINN

3 China-Focused ETFs To Watch As Stronger Manufacturing Data, Stimulus Hopes Boost Sentiment

On Friday, February 28, U.S. markets closed higher after a volatile session, with tech stocks rising despite a dip in Dell. A heated exchange between President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the White House added uncertainty over Ukraine, briefly unsettling markets.
Meanwhile, inflation data met expectations, but weak consumer spending fueled concerns about stagflation and Federal Reserve policy. The Federal Reserve&#8217;s key inflation measure slowed in January, with headline PCE rising 2.5% year-over-year, down from 2.6% in December, while core PCE increased 2.6%. Monthly PCE inflation rose 0.3%, and personal income surged 0.9%, exceeding forecasts. Food prices climbed 0.3%, energy costs eased, and the personal savings rate increased to 4.6%.
All 11 S&amp;P 500 sectors ended higher, with information technology, financials, and consumer discretionary stocks leading the gains.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.39% to close at 43,840.91, the S&amp;P 500 gained 1.59% to 5,954.50, and the Nasdaq Composite was up 1.63% to 18,847.28.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Monday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 gained 1.81% to 37,823.50, led by gains in the Mining, Gas &amp; Water and Insurance sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 rose 0.90%, closing at 8,245.70, led by gains in the Energy, IT and Resources sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 was up 0.08% to 22,143.15, and the Nifty 500 gained 0.14% to 19,909.15. Gains in the Capital Goods, Power, and Consumer Durables sectors led shares higher, while losses in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods, Healthcare, and Oil and Gas sectors led shares lower.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite slipped 0.12% to 3,316.93, and the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 fell 0.04% to 3,888.47.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng gained 0.28%, ending the session at 23,006.27.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.65%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX gained 1.32%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC rose 0.70%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded higher by 0.53%</li>
<li>European shares neared record highs Monday as defense stocks surged on increased military spending plans.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 0.10% at $69.69/bbl, and Brent was down 0.01% at $72.80/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices edged higher Monday as strong Chinese manufacturing data boosted demand optimism—however, concerns over U.S. tariffs, a Ukraine peace deal, and global economic uncertainty limited gains.</li>
<li>Natural Gas gained 0.10% to $3.838.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 1.17% at $2,882.00, Silver was up 1.62% to $32.008, and Copper rose 0.96% to $4.5915.     </li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Dow futures were up 0.15%, S&amp;P 500 futures gained 0.37%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.33%.</li>
<li>U.S. stock futures edged higher Monday after sharp monthly losses, with investors cautious ahead of new tariffs and key economic data. February saw significant declines due to tariff concerns and tech volatility.</li>
</ul>
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. Dollar Index slipped 0.48% to 107.09, USD/JPY was up 0.09% to 150.85, and USD/AUD fell 0.11% to 1.6074.</li>
<li>The U.S. dollar retreated Monday as European leaders pushed for a Ukraine-Russia peace deal, boosting the euro. The dollar also eased amid uncertainty over tariffs on Canada and Mexico.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia Markets Mixed, Europe Advances, Gold Gains 1.2% - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Thursday, February 27, U.S. markets closed in the red, driven by a sharp decline in Nvidia&#8217;s stock after its quarterly forecast fell short of Wall Street&#8217;s high expectations.
Concerns over slowing demand for artificial intelligence technologies and economic data indicating a cooling U.S. economy further dampened investor sentiment—rising jobless claims and slowing economic growth added to fears of a potential downturn.
Related: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/02/44012061/nvidia-shares-dip-despite-strong-q4-earnings-beat-record-revenue-whats-going-on" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nvidia Shares Dip Despite Strong Q4 Earnings Beat, Record Revenue: What&#8217;s Going On?</a>
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis revised fourth-quarter 2024 GDP upward by less than 0.1%, driven by increased government spending and exports. Meanwhile, initial jobless claims rose by 22,000 to 242,000, surpassing the expected 221,000 and reaching their highest level in over two months, signaling a weakening labor market.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors ended lower, led by declines in technology and communication stocks, while financial and energy stocks posted gains.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.45% to close at 43,239.50, the S&amp;P 500 dropped 1.59% to 5,861.57, and the Nasdaq Composite slid 2.78% to 18,544.42.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Friday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 declined 2.90% to 37,152.50, led by losses in the Transport, Pharmaceutical Industry, and Power sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 fell 1.16%, closing at 8,172.40, led by losses in the IT, Metals &amp; Mining and Materials sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 declined 1.88% to 22,120.25, while the Nifty 500 fell 2.13% to 19,882.05, led by losses in the Technology, Auto, and Public Sector Undertakings sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite slipped 1.98% to 3,320.90, and the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 fell 1.97% to 3,890.05.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng dropped 3.28%, ending the session at 22,941.32.</li>
<li>Asian markets tumbled as escalating U.S. tariff concerns rattled investors.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was down 0.49%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX declined 0.22%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC slid 0.33%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded higher by 0.20%</li>
<li>European markets extended losses Friday as traders reacted to potential U.S. tariffs on the EU. Trump hinted Britain could avoid tariffs through a trade deal.   </li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 1.38% at $69.38/bbl, and Brent was down 1.24% at $72.66/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices fell Friday, set for their first monthly drop since November, as U.S. tariffs, Iraq&#8217;s exports, and OPEC uncertainty weighed on sentiment.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 0.41% to $3.918.</li>
<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.73% at $2,874.01, Silver was down 1.39% to $31.360, and Copper slid 1.34% to $4.5560.       </li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were up 0.32%, S&amp;P 500 futures gained 0.37%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.33%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. dollar index rose 0.06% to 107.35, the USD/JPY rose 0.31% to 150.35, and the USD/AUD rose 0.35% to 1.6093.</li>
<li>The U.S. dollar strengthened as investors reacted to Trump&#8217;s impending tariffs, driving a selloff in risk assets. While the dollar gained against the yen and euro, concerns over economic slowdown and Federal Reserve rate cuts kept its monthly performance subdued.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia Markets Slide, Europe Extends Losses; Oil Drops On Tariff Concerns - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Wednesday, February 26, U.S. markets closed mixed amid tariff concerns, while strong earnings and a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal lifted European shares to record highs. Nvidia gained on strong results despite skepticism over AI investments. Meanwhile, the House passed Trump&#8217;s tax-cut plan, and U.S. home sales declined due to persistently high mortgage rates.
In economic data, U.S. mortgage applications fell by 1.2% for the week ending February 21, while crude oil inventories dropped 2.332 million barrels, contrary to expectations of a gain. In January, new home sales declined 10.5% to 657,000, and building permits fell 0.6% to 1.473 million, signaling weakness in the housing market.
S&amp;P sectors were mixed, with tech gains offsetting losses in healthcare and consumer staples. Nvidia&#8217;s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43991607/nvidia-q4-earnings-highlights-revenue-beat-eps-beat-demand-for-blackwell-is-amazing" rel="noreferrer noopener">strong earnings</a> capped a better-than-expected reporting season.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.43% to close at 43,433.12, while the S&amp;P 500 inched up 0.01% to 5,956.06, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.26% to 19,075.26.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Thursday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 rose 0.30% to 38,262.00, driven by gains in the Marine Transport, Trading, and Pharmaceutical sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 gained 0.33%, closing at 8,268.20, led by strength in the Gold, Consumer Staples, and Metals &amp; Mining sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 declined 0.16% to 22,512.40, while the Nifty 500 fell 0.68% to 20,279.75. Gains in the Metals, IT, and Green Energy sectors were outweighed by losses in Real Estate, Power, and Capital Goods.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite edged up 0.23% to 3,388.06, while the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 rose 0.21% to 3,968.12.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng slipped 0.29%, ending at 23,718.29.</li>
<li>China urged the U.S. to halt its copper tariff probe, warning of retaliation. Trump&#8217;s investigation under Section 232 aims to rebuild U.S. copper production, but China claims the move disrupts global trade stability.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was down 0.76%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX declined 0.99%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC slid 0.28%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded higher by 0.17%</li>
<li>European markets fell after Trump announced a 25% EU tariff.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.92% at $69.25/bbl, and Brent was up 0.90% at $72.72/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices rose after Trump reversed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/44000386/trump-shuts-down-chevrons-venezuela-oil-permit-tightening-pressure-on-maduro-regime-crude-oil-prices-rise-on-supply-concerns" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chevron&#8217;s Venezuela license</a>, reviving supply concerns. Brent and WTI edged up after recent losses driven by rising fuel inventories and Russia-Ukraine peace talks.</li>
<li>Natural Gas gained 0.20% to $3.967.</li>
<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.85% at $2,905.60, Silver was down 0.43% to $32.133, and Copper rose 0.76% to $4.6215.     </li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were up 0.23%, S&amp;P 500 futures gained 0.56%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.54%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
The U.S. dollar index rose by 0.14% to 106.65, the USD/JPY rose by 0.58% to 149.87, and the USD/AUD rose by 0.17% to 1.5882.
The U.S. dollar firmed but remained near an 11-week low amid Trump&#8217;s tariff threats on Europe and delays for Mexico and Canada.
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia Market Mixed, Europe Slides On Tariff Plans; Crude Oil Climbs As Trump Reverses Chevron's Venezuela License - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Tuesday, February 25, U.S. markets closed mixed, with the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq hitting a one-month low amid declining consumer confidence. The Conference Board reported the sharpest drop since August 2021, highlighting economic uncertainty. Analysts cite cautious consumer spending, political concerns, and risk-averse sentiment as key factors driving market hesitation.
In December, the S&amp;P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city home price index climbed 4.5% year-over-year, up from 4.3% in November. Meanwhile, the FHFA house price index saw a 0.4% increase for the month.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors declined, with losses in tech and energy, while consumer staples and real estate posted gains.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.37% to close at 43,621.16, while the S&amp;P 500 declined 0.47% to 5,955.25, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.35% to 19,026.39.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Wednesday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 fell 0.20% to 38,148.50, led by losses in the Precision Instruments, Non-Metal Minerals and Shipbuilding sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 declined 0.14% to 8,240.70, led by losses in the Gold, Metals &amp; Mining and Materials sectors.</li>
<li>India markets closed for the Mahashivratri holiday.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite gained 1.02% to 3,380.21, and the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 rose 0.87% to close at 3,959.94.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng surged 3.27%, ending the session at 23,787.93.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 1.07%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX gained 1.37%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC rose 1.06%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded higher by 0.63%</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.01% at $68.94/bbl, and Brent was down 0.06% at $72.46/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices hovered near two-month lows as hopes for a Russia-Ukraine peace deal pressured markets, while a U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement added uncertainty. Lower U.S. crude stockpiles provided some support, but concerns over Trump&#8217;s trade policies weighed on sentiment.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 0.39% to $4.113.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.29% at $2,927.16, Silver was up 0.90% to $32.115, and Copper rose 3.36% to $4.6920.     </li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were up 0.23%, S&amp;P 500 futures gained 0.46%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.76%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. dollar index rose 0.18% to 106.48, the USD/JPY rose 0.22% to 149.36, and the USD/AUD rose 0.36% to 1.5818.</li>
<li>The U.S. dollar rose slightly from an 11-week low as Treasury yields rebounded amid economic uncertainty and tariff concerns.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia Markets Mixed, Europe Gains; Oil Prices Near Two-Month Low - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Monday, February 24, U.S. markets closed mixed as the Nasdaq Composite declined, weighed down by struggling technology stocks amid concerns over AI demand ahead of Nvidia&#8217;s earnings.
The S&amp;P 500 fell for a third consecutive session, while the Dow eked out a slight gain. Market uncertainty deepened due to Microsoft&#8217;s data center cuts and weak economic indicators, heightening fears of slowing growth and persistent inflation.
In economic data, the Dallas Fed&#8217;s Texas manufacturing activity index dropped sharply to -8.3 in February from 14.1 in January, while the Chicago Fed National Activity Index declined to -0.03 in January from a revised 0.18 in December.
Among the S&amp;P 500 sectors, healthcare led to gains, while technology was the biggest laggard. Nvidia was the largest drag on the S&amp;P 500, followed by Broadcom, Amazon, and Microsoft, all closing lower.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average inched up 0.08% to close at 43,461.21, while the S&amp;P 500 declined 0.50% to 5,983.25, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.21% to 19,286.93.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Tuesday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 fell 1.44% to 38,225.50, pressured by losses in the Shipbuilding, Paper &amp; Pulp, and Steel sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 declined 0.68% to 8,251.90, weighed down by weakness in Consumer Discretionary, IT, and Materials stocks.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 edged down 0.12% to 22,526.30, while the Nifty 500 dropped 0.36% to 20,395.20. Gains in Auto, IT, and Consumer Durables stocks were offset by declines in the Metals, Oil and gas, and Real Estate sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite slipped 0.80% to 3,346.04, and the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 lost 1.11% to close at 3,925.65.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng fell 1.32%, ending at 23,034.02.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.15%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX gained 0.21%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC rose 0.10%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded higher by 0.41%</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.25% at $70.88/bbl, and Brent was up 0.12% at $74.40/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices rose for a second day on U.S. sanctions against Iran, tightening supply concerns. Strong global refining margins supported gains, though uncertainty over Chinese demand and upcoming tariffs capped further increases.</li>
<li>Natural Gas gained 0.05% to $3.984.</li>
<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.30% at $2,954.81, Silver was down 0.06% to $32.585, and Copper rose 0.33% to $4.5780.     </li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were down 0.08%, S&amp;P 500 futures declined 0.19%, and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.35%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. dollar index rose by 0.01% to 106.68, the USD/JPY gained by 0.05% to 149.62, and the USD/AUD rose by 0.32% to 1.5800.</li>
<li>The dollar steadied after Trump&#8217;s tariff comments on Mexico and Canada spurred safe-haven demand. Market uncertainty, weaker U.S. economic data, and German political risks kept the dollar&#8217;s defensive support intact.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia Markets Dip While Europe Advance, Gold Retreats - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Friday, February 21, U.S. markets closed sharply lower as major indexes extended their selloff amid disappointing economic data, new tariff threats, and softening consumer demand. The S&amp;P 500 and Russell 2000 posted their largest drops since mid-December, while the Dow suffered its steepest Friday-to-Friday plunge since mid-October, reflecting heightened market uncertainty and investor caution.
According to economic data, the University of Michigan&#8217;s consumer sentiment dropped 10% to 64.7 in January, with a five-year inflation outlook of 3.5%—the highest since 1995. Existing home sales fell 4.9% to 4.08 million, while February&#8217;s flash PMIs revealed a sharp services decline, fueling private sector concerns.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors fell with IT, consumer discretionary, and industrials down—while consumer staples defied the trend and closed higher.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 1.69% and closed at 43,428.02, the S&amp;P 500 fell 1.71% to 6,013.13, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 2.20%, finishing at 19,524.01.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>Japan markets are closed for Emperor&#8217;s Birthday holiday.</li>
<li>On Monday, Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 gained 0.14% to 8,308.20, led by gains in the Utilities, Financials and Consumer Discretionary sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 slipped 1.08% to 22,549.60, and the Nifty 500 fell 1.09% to close at 20,463.80, led by losses in the Technology, Metals, and Public Sector Undertakings sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite slid 0.18% to 3,373.03, and the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 declined 0.22%, ending at 3,969.72.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng dipped 0.58% to close at 23,341.61.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was down 0.01%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX gained 0.95%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC slid 0.12%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded higher by 0.27%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s conservative election win eased political gridlock fears, boosting the euro and stocks, yet uncertainty lingers over crucial fiscal reforms—especially debt brake changes—amid weak economic growth and coalition challenges.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.16% at $70.51/bbl, and Brent was up 0.16% at $74.15/bbl.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 4.80% to $3.926.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.03% at $2,953.31, Silver was down 0.57% to $32.828, and Copper fell 0.78% to $4.7590.     </li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Dow futures were up 0.73%, S&amp;P 500 futures gained 0.52%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.40%.</li>
<li>U.S. stock futures edged higher Monday ahead of Nvidia earnings, reversing last week&#8217;s losses amid weak business activity, policy uncertainty, and inflation, as investors monitor U.S. and German political moves.</li>
</ul>
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
The U.S. Dollar Index was down 0.01% to 106.06, USD/JPY was up 0.21% to 149.62, and USD/AUD fell 0.03% to 1.5717.
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia And Europe Markets Mixed, Futures Rebound Ahead Of Nvidia Earnings - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Thursday, February 20, U.S. markets closed lower as investor confidence weakened due to growing tariff concerns and Walmart&#8217;s disappointing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43846469/walmart-q4-earnings-shine-but-soft-fy26-outlook-disappoints-street" rel="noreferrer noopener">sales and profit outlook</a>. All major indexes declined, with the Dow experiencing the steepest drop, while the S&amp;P 500 ended its streak of record highs. Gold prices surged to a historic peak as investors sought safer assets amid rising economic uncertainty. Walmart&#8217;s weaker forecast signaled potential declines in consumer spending, amplifying worries about economic growth.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/02/43875446/walmarts-ai-use-cases-surge-amid-strong-q4-even-as-company-forecasts-weaker-2026" rel="noreferrer noopener">Walmart Expands AI Use Beyond Optimizing Delivery Routes, To Tackling Inventory Issues And Delivering Code Faster</a>
In economic data, initial jobless claims rose by 5,000 to 219,000 for the week ending February 15, slightly above the expected 215,000. The Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index fell sharply to 18.1 in February from 44.3 the prior month.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors declined, led by financial, consumer discretionary, and consumer staples, while energy and real estate stocks closed higher.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.01% to close at 44,176.65, while the S&amp;P 500 slid 0.43% to 6,117.52. The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.47%, finishing at 19,962.36.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Friday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 rose 0.28% to close at 38,784.00, led by gains in the Gas and water, Transport, and Marine Transport sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 declined 0.32% to 8,296.20, led by losses in the Consumer Discretionary, Telecoms Services and Financials sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 slipped 0.65% to 22,763.95, and the Nifty 500 declined 0.84% to close at 20,656.30, led by losses in the Auto, Oil &amp; Gas, and Real Estate sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite rose 0.85% to 3,379.11, and the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 gained 1.26%, ending at 3,978.44.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng surged 3.99% to close at 23,477.92.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.33%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX gained 0.03%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC rose 0.47%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded higher by 0.10%</li>
<li>European shares rose Friday as investors assessed economic data and Germany&#8217;s upcoming election. The STOXX 600 rebounded but eyed weekly losses.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 1.06% at $71.71/bbl, and Brent was down 1.02% at $75.71/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices dipped Friday but remained on track for weekly gains amid supply concerns in Russia and rising demand in the U.S. and China. The market focus stayed on supply disruptions and geopolitical tensions.</li>
<li>Natural Gas gained 3.95% to $4.316.</li>
<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.38% at $2,944.99, Silver was down 0.47% to $33.325, and Copper fell 0.89% to $4.5713.       </li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were up 0.11%, S&amp;P 500 futures gained 0.02%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.11%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. dollar index gained 0.29% to 106.67, the USD/JPY rose 0.45% to 150.38, and the USD/AUD rose 0.21% to 1.5656.</li>
<li>The dollar headed for a third weekly drop as Trump&#8217;s tariff threats remained largely rhetoric, while the yen surged on rising Japanese inflation before the BOJ intervened.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia Markets Mixed, Europe Rebounds; Dollar Heads For Third Weekly Drop - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Wednesday, February 19th, U.S. markets closed higher, with the S&amp;P 500 reaching a second consecutive record high as investors examined Fed meeting minutes and Trump&#8217;s proposed tariffs.
The Fed held rates steady but voiced concerns over inflation and trade policies. Trump announced 25% tariffs on autos, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals.
According to economic data, in January, U.S. building permits rose to 1.483M (vs. 1.460M est.), while housing starts fell to 1.366M (vs. 1.390M est.). Redbook YoY retail sales grew 6.3%, up from 5.3%, with early February at 5.8%.
The Fed&#8217;s January meeting minutes highlighted policymakers&#8217; cautious stance on rate cuts, citing uncertainty in inflation trends. Officials stressed the need for more evidence before lowering rates, considering Trump&#8217;s tariffs, immigration policies, and geopolitical risks.
Related: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43829352/fomc-minutes" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fed Minutes Reveal Officials See &#8216;High Degree Of Uncertainty&#8217; Requiring &#8216;A Careful Approach&#8217; On Rate Cuts</a>
Of the 11 key sectors in the S&amp;P 500, healthcare saw the highest percentage increase, while materials and financials underperformed.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 0.16% to close at 44,627.59, while the S&amp;P 500 gained 0.24% to 6,144.15. The Nasdaq Composite added 0.07%, finishing at 20,056.25.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Thursday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 fell 1.29% to close at 38,675.50, led by losses in the Manufacturing, Retail and Communication sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 declined 1.15% to 8,322.80, led by losses in the A-REITs, Healthcare, and Financials sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 slipped 0.12% to 22,906.25, while the Nifty 500 gained 0.44% to close at 20,822.60. The decline was led by losses in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods, Healthcare, and Banking sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite slid 0.02% to 3,350.78, and the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 declined 0.29%, ending at 3,928.90.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng dipped 1.60% to close at 22,576.98.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.62%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX gained 0.54%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC rose 0.67%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded lower by 0.24%</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.11% at $72.18/bbl, and Brent was up 0.14% at $76.15/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices rebounded despite a U.S. crude stock buildup, supported by supply disruptions in Kazakhstan and OPEC+ delays. Russia&#8217;s pipeline outage cut supply by 380,000 barrels per day, while potential Iraqi exports and Trump&#8217;s tariffs added market uncertainty.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 2.78% to $4.160.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 1.21% at $2,971.31, Silver was up 2.04% to $33.718, and Copper rose 1.18% to $4.6165.     </li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were down 0.11%, S&amp;P 500 futures declined 0.15%, and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.16%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
The U.S. Dollar Index slid 0.28% to 106.89, USD/JPY was down 0.87% to 150.13, and USD/AUD fell 0.53% to 1.5677.

Global Markets Mixed, Dollar Dips As Traders React To Trump's Tariff Plans - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Tuesday, February 18, U.S. markets closed in the green, with the S&amp;P 500 reaching a record high amid a quiet session as investors awaited Fed minutes and retail earnings. Fed officials signaled a steady rate policy due to inflation concerns. Markets remain cautious as price growth accelerates and consumer sentiment weakens, with no immediate pressure on the Fed to cut rates.
In economic data, the NY Empire State Manufacturing Index rose 18.3 points in February to +5.7, surpassing market expectations of -1.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors advanced, led by energy, materials, and utilities, while communication services and consumer discretionary stocks declined.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 0.02% to close at 44,556.34, while the S&amp;P 500 gained 0.24% to 6,129.58. The Nasdaq Composite added 0.07%, finishing at 20,041.26.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Wednesday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 fell 0.34% to close at 39,182.00, weighed down by losses in the Rubber, Marine Transport, and Retail sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 declined 0.73% to 8,419.20, dragged lower by Energy, Financials, and Consumer Staples.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 slipped 0.13% to 22,916.15, while the Nifty 500 gained 0.51% to close at 20,717.00. The decline was led by losses in the Technology, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods, and Healthcare sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite rose 0.81% to 3,351.54, while the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 added 0.70%, ending at 3,940.16.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng dipped 0.14% to close at 22,944.24.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was down 0.32%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX declined 0.38%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC fell 0.45%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded lower by 0.26%</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.78% at $72.39/bbl, and Brent was up 0.69% at $76.36/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices rose due to supply concerns in the U.S. and Russia and uncertainty over Ukraine peace talks. Brent crude and WTI gained as cold weather, a Ukrainian drone attack, and potential OPEC+ decisions supported prices.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 0.37% to $3.992.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.47% at $2,962.69, Silver was up 0.61% to $33.557, and Copper rose 0.23% to $4.6015.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were down 0.02%, S&amp;P 500 futures declined 0.06%, and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.07%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. Dollar Index rose 0.12% to 107.21, USD/JPY was down 0.18% to 151.74, and USD/AUD slid 0.01% to 1.5743.</li>
<li>The dollar remained stable Wednesday while the yen strengthened amid Ukraine ceasefire talks and new U.S. tariff threats.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia Ex-China And Europe Markets Dip, Dollar Strengthens - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Friday, February 14, U.S. markets closed mixed, with Nvidia and Apple advancing while Microsoft and Amazon declined. The Nasdaq 100 reached a record high.
Treasury yields fell following weaker retail sales data. Investors remained focused on Trump&#8217;s proposed reciprocal tariffs and broader economic policy moves, adding to market uncertainty amid recent inflation data and Federal Reserve commentary.
Economic data showed that January retail sales declined by 0.9% from the previous month, a significantly steeper drop than the expected 0.1% decrease.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors ended lower on Friday, led by losses in healthcare, consumer staples, and utilities, while technology and communication stocks bucked the trend and closed higher.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.37% to close at 44,546.08, while the S&amp;P 500 edged down 0.01% to 6,114.63. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.41%, finishing at 20,026.77.
U.S. markets were closed on Monday, February 17, in observance of Washington&#8217;s Birthday.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Tuesday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 rose 0.28%, closing at 39,316.00, driven by gains in the Shipbuilding, Rubber, and Manufacturing sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 declined 0.66% to 8,481.00, weighed down by losses in the Energy, Financials, and Consumer Discretionary sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s central bank cut rates to 4.1% for the first time in four years but signaled caution on further easing. The move aids borrowers and may influence Prime Minister Albanese&#8217;s election timing.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 fell 0.15% to 22,924.50, and the Nifty 500 slid 0.35% to close at 20,582.05, led by losses in the Consumer Durables, Capital Goods, and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite dropped 0.91% to 3,325.32, while the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 declined 0.87% to 3,912.89.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng gained 1.59%, closing the session at 22,976.81.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.01%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX declined 0.11%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC rose 0.03%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded higher by 0.09%</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 1.47% at $71.74/bbl, and Brent was up 0.75% at $75.77/bbl.</li>
<li>Brent crude edged higher after a drone attack on a Russian pipeline disrupted oil flows from Kazakhstan. However, gains were limited due to expected OPEC+ supply increases and uncertainty in Chinese demand.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 3.38% to $3.599.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.79% at $2,923.59, Silver was up 0.44% to $32.995, and Copper slid 1.37% to $4.6005.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were up 0.02%, S&amp;P 500 futures gained 0.24%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.35%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. dollar index rose 0.20% to 106.94, the USD/JPY was up 0.15% to 151.73, and the USD/AUD slid 0.06% to 1.5722.</li>
<li>The U.S. dollar strengthened as traders assessed tariff uncertainties, geopolitical risks, and the Federal Reserve&#8217;s cautious approach to rate cuts. The Australian dollar hovered near a two-month high after the Reserve Bank of Australia cut rates by 25 basis points to 4.10%.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia And Europe Markets Mixed, Oil Edges Higher After Pipeline Attack - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Thursday, U.S. markets closed higher, boosted by Nvidia, Apple, and Tesla, after Trump proposed reciprocal tariffs. Stocks gained as producer prices rose while core inflation remained stable. Treasury yields fell, indicating confidence in cooling inflation. The Nasdaq and Dow also advanced, with the S&amp;P marking its strongest rise since mid-January.
According to economic data, the Producer Price Index rose 3.5% annually, the highest since early 2023, exceeding forecasts. Monthly growth also surpassed expectations at 0.4%. Core PPI, excluding food and energy, increased by 3.6% yearly and 0.3% monthly, both above projections.
All eleven S&amp;P 500 sector indexes advanced, with materials leading the gains and consumer discretionary, which also saw a strong increase.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.77% and closed at 44,711.43, the S&amp;P 500 closed higher by 1.04% at 6,115.07, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.50% to finish at 19,945.64.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Friday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed lower by 0.79%, ending the session at 39,164.50. Losses in the Textile, Transportation Equipment, and Chemical, Petroleum, and plastic sectors led the decline.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 rose 0.19% to 8,555.80, led by gains in the Consumer Staples, Gold, and IT sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed lower by 0.58% at 22,897.25, and Nifty 500 slid by 1.45%, closing at 20,600.25, led by losses in the Capital Goods, Power, and Public Sector Undertakings sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite gained 0.43% and closed at 3,346.72, while Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 was down 0.87% at 3,939.01.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng closed the session higher by 3.69% at 22,620.33.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was down 0.01%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX declined 0.37%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC rose 0.20%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded lower by 0.30%</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.13% at $71.38/bbl, and Brent was up 0.25% at $75.21/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices rebounded, ending weeks of decline, supported by rising fuel demand and delayed U.S. tariffs. Market optimism grew over potential trade agreements, but gains remained limited amid possible Russian supply increases.</li>
<li>Natural Gas gained 1.76% to $3.692.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.51% at $2,960.31, Silver was up 4.05% to $34.045, and Copper slid 0.03% to $4.7770.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were down 0.28%, S&amp;P 500 futures declined 0.11% and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.06%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. Dollar Index fell 0.07% to 106.98, USD/JPY was down 0.20% to 152.52, and USD/AUD slid 0.31% to 1.5780.</li>
<li>As delayed reciprocal tariffs eased market concerns, the U.S. dollar steadied near a three-week low. Inflation fears softened after a producer price report, while optimism around Ukraine-Russia peace talks boosted the euro.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia And Europe Markets Mixed, Gold Advances - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Wednesday, U.S. markets closed mixed, with the S&amp;P 500 declining as unexpectedly high inflation data heightened concerns about delayed Fed rate cuts. Nvidia and Amazon weakened, weighing on the index, while strong earnings lifted CVS and Gilead. Inflation worries also challenged Trump&#8217;s tariff plans, adding to market uncertainty.
In economic data, January&#8217;s CPI rose faster than expected, hitting 3% year-over-year and exceeding forecasts. Monthly inflation climbed 0.5%, the highest since August 2023, accelerating from December&#8217;s 0.4% increase.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors declined, with materials, energy, and real estate stocks falling, while consumer staples and communication services outperformed and closed higher.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.50% and closed at 44,368.56, the S&amp;P 500 closed lower by 0.27% at 6,051.97, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.03% to finish at 19,649.95.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Wednesday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed higher by 1.26%, ending the session at 39,475.50, led by gains in the Steel, Mining, and Communication sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 rose 0.06% to 8,540.00, led by gains in the Metals &amp; Mining, Materials and Resources sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed lower by 0.12% at 23,016.80, and the Nifty 500 slid 0.10%, closing at 20,886.85, led by losses in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods, Healthcare, and Technology sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite declined 0.42% and closed at 3,332.48, and Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 went down 0.38% at 3,905.14               .</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng closed the session lower by 0.20% at 21,814.37.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 1.22%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX gained 1.44%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC rose 1.28%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded lower by 0.68%</li>
<li>European shares hit record highs Thursday, driven by strong earnings from Nestlé and Siemens, alongside optimism over U.S.-Russia peace talks on Ukraine. Automobiles surged, while Britain&#8217;s FTSE dipped, dragged by Unilever.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 1.46% at $70.33/bbl, and Brent was down 1.36% at $74.16/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices edged lower as potential Russia-Ukraine peace talks and rising U.S. crude inventories pressured the market. Optimism over eased supply risks outweighed inflation concerns despite recent tightening supply trends.</li>
<li>Natural Gas gained 3.39% to $3.686.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.53% at $2,944.81, Silver was up 0.15% to $32.835, and Copper rose 0.06% to $4.7077.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were up 0.04%, S&amp;P 500 futures gained 0.01%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.16%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. Dollar Index fell 0.34% to 107.64, USD/JPY was down 0.36% to 153.79, and USD/AUD rose 0.18% to 1.5954.</li>
<li>The U.S. dollar weakened as hopes for a Russia-Ukraine peace deal lifted sentiment, boosting the euro and ruble. Meanwhile, Japan&#8217;s yen strengthened due to rising inflation, and the U.K. GDP unexpectedly grew.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia Markets Mixed, Europe Hits Highs On Earnings; Oil Dips On Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Tuesday, February 11, U.S. markets closed mixed, with gains in Coca-Cola and Apple countering Tesla&#8217;s decline. Fed Chair Powell signaled no urgency for rate cuts, citing a strong economy. Investors monitored potential new tariffs after Trump raised steel and aluminum levies. Heightened uncertainty points to increased market volatility.
Related: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43636959/tesla-stock-is-tumbling-tuesday-whats-driving-the-action" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Stock Is Tumbling Tuesday: What&#8217;s Driving The Action?</a>
In economic data, The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index dropped to 102.8 in January, down from 105.1 in the prior month and falling short of the projected 104.6.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors rose Tuesday, led by consumer staples, energy, and real estate, while consumer discretionary and health care declined.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.28% and closed at 44,593.65, the S&amp;P 500 closed higher by 0.03% at 6,068.50, while the Nasdaq Composite slid 0.36% to finish at 19,643.86.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Wednesday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed higher by 0.47%, ending the session at 38,984.50, led by gains in the Shipbuilding, Paper &amp; Pulp, and Non-Metal Minerals sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 rose 0.60% to 8,535.30, led by gains in the Industrials, Financials and Consumer Staples sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed lower by 0.06% at 23,057.80, and the Nifty 500 slid 0.16%, closing at 20,917.65. The losses were led by the Real Estate, Auto, and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite gained 0.8% and closed at 3,346.39, and Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 was up 0.95% at 3,919.86                 .</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng closed the session higher by 2.64% at 21,857.92.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.13%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX gained 0.25%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC rose 0.14%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded higher by 0.04%</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 1.16% at $72.45/bbl, and Brent was down 0.99% at $76.25/bbl.</li>
<li>Crude oil prices declined as rising U.S. stockpiles and hawkish comments from the Federal Reserve signaled slower rate cuts, weighing on sentiment. Concerns over demand and economic uncertainty persisted while the Energy Information Administration raised its U.S. production forecast.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 0.85% to $3.492.</li>
<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.84% at $2,908.29, Silver was down 0.45% to $32.170, and Copper slid 0.07% to $4.5977.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were down 0.17%, S&amp;P 500 futures declined 0.15% and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.07%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. Dollar Index gained 0.05% to 107.98, USD/JPY was up 0.78% to 153.64, and USD/AUD rose 0.28% to 1.5932.</li>
<li>The dollar held steady as traders awaited U.S. inflation data, with Powell&#8217;s hawkish stance lifting Treasury yields. Yen weakened, while tariff concerns and market uncertainty influenced currency movements and rate cut expectations.</li>
</ul>
Also Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43631776/apple-teams-up-with-alibaba-for-ai-innovation-in-china-submits-ai-features-for-regulatory-approval" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple&#8217;s AI Split: Chooses Alibaba For China And OpenAI For Everyone Else</a></li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia Ex-India And Europe Markets Advance, Gold Retreats From All Time High - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Monday, February 10, U.S. markets closed higher, driven by gains in Nvidia and other AI-related stocks. Steelmakers rallied after President Trump announced new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. U.S. metals producers saw substantial gains, with companies like Nucor, U.S. Steel, and Steel Dynamics rising sharply. Investors remain optimistic as corporate earnings surpass expectations, signaling stronger growth than initially projected for the year ahead.
Regarding economic data, U.S. consumer inflation expectations for the upcoming year remained unchanged at 3% in January for the third consecutive month.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors rose Monday, with energy, tech, and utilities leading the way, while financial and utilities stocks declined.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.38% and closed at 44,470.41, the S&amp;P 500 closed higher by 0.67% at 6,066.44, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.98% to finish at 19,714.27.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>Japan markets closed for the National Day holiday.</li>
<li>On Tuesday, Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 rose 0.01% to 8,484.00, led by gains in the Gold, Industrials and IT sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed lower by 1.33% at 23,070.50, and Nifty 500 slid 2.01%, closing at 20,942.50, led by losses in the Real Estate, Capital Goods and Auto sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite fell 0.12% and closed at 3,318.06; Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 was down 0.46% at 3,883.14.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng closed the session higher by 1.06% at 21,294.86.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.09%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX declined 0.01%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC gained 0.07%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE index 100 traded lower by 0.01%</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 1.34% at $73.30/bbl, and Brent was up 1.38% at $76.92/bbl.</li>
<li>Crude oil prices rose amid supply concerns from Russian and Iranian sanctions, despite fears that Trump&#8217;s tariffs and potential trade wars could slow global growth.</li>
<li>Natural Gas gained 1.77% to $3.505.</li>
<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.05% at $2,933.01, Silver was down 0.83% to $32.220, and Copper slid 1.87% to $4.6190.</li>
<li>Gold surged to record highs as Trump&#8217;s 25% steel and aluminum tariffs fueled trade conflict and inflation concerns. Investors sought safe-haven assets while Chinese steel stocks fell and global exporters weighed responses.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were down 0.20%, S&amp;P 500 futures declined 0.31%, and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.43%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
The U.S. Dollar Index declined 0.04% to 108.29, USD/JPY was up 0.07% to 152.12, and USD/AUD fell 0.01% to 1.5933.
Image via Shutterstock

Asia Markets And Europe Mixed, Gold Near All Time High - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Friday, February 7, U.S. markets closed lower after Trump announced plans for reciprocal tariffs amid weak jobs data and declining consumer sentiment. Despite early struggles, strong earnings provided some support. Consumer sentiment hit a seven-month low, inflation expectations surged, and job growth slowed, reinforcing expectations that the Fed will delay rate cuts until June.
The University of Michigan reported a sharp rise in inflation expectations, with the one-year outlook hitting 4.3%, the highest since November 2023. February&#8217;s jobs report showed mixed results: job growth slowed, but unemployment dropped more than expected, and wages surged.
All S&amp;P 500 sectors ended in the red, led by losses in communication services, consumer discretionary, and materials stocks.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.99% and closed at 44,303.40, the S&amp;P 500 closed lower by 0.95% at 6,025.99, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.36% to finish at 19,523.40.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Monday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed lower by 0.12% at 38,770.50, led by losses in the Glass, Retail and Real Estate sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 declined 0.34% to 8,482.80, led by losses in the IT, Telecoms Services and Materials sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed lower by 0.78% at 23,376.05, and Nifty 500 slid 1.32%, closing at 21,360.55, led by losses in the Real Estate, Metals, and Consumer Durables sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite rose 0.56% and closed at 3,322.17, and Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 was up 0.21% at 3,901.06.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng closed the session higher by 1.84% at 21,521.98.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.37%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX rose 0.31%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC gained 0.26%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE index 100 traded higher by 0.47%</li>
<li>European stocks opened higher on Monday despite Trump&#8217;s new tariff announcement. Markets remain optimistic amid strong earnings growth, cheap valuations, and hopes for ECB easing. Nokia appointed Justin Hotard as its new CEO.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 1.17% at $71.81/bbl, and Brent was up 1.15% at $75.50/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices rose, rebounding from last week&#8217;s losses amid trade war concerns. Sanctions on Russia and Iran add upside risks, but analysts expect oil to trade lower, with Brent forecasted at $60-$65 per barrel in late 2025.</li>
<li>Natural Gas gained 3.35% to $3.420.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 1.46% at $2,930.21, Silver was up 0.95% to $32.750, and Copper rose 0.69% to $4.6200.</li>
<li>Gold hit record highs as Trump&#8217;s new tariffs fueled safe-haven demand. Markets remain cautious over potential trade war escalation, while strong U.S. inflation data and high interest rates could limit further gold gains.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Dow futures were up 0.28%, S&amp;P 500 futures gained 0.40%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.62%.</li>
<li>U.S. stock futures rose, led by steelmakers after Trump announced new tariffs. Investors remain cautious but less reactive to trade moves.</li>
</ul>
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
The U.S. Dollar Index gained 0.10% to 108.15, USD/JPY was up 0.52% to 152.19, and USD/AUD fell 0.14% to 1.5921.
Image via Shutterstock

Asia Markets Mixed, Europe Advances, Gold Hits Record High On Safe-Haven Demand - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Thursday, February 6, U.S. markets closed mixed, with the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq gaining while the Dow slipped amid a volatile session. Investors assessed corporate earnings and awaited key economic reports. Amazon rose 1.1% before its earnings, beating revenue estimates but missing cloud sales, only to fall in the after hours. Eli Lilly, Tapestry, and Philip Morris surged on strong forecasts, while Honeywell fell on restructuring plans.
In economic data, U.S. initial jobless claims rose by 11,000 to 219,000 in the last week of January, exceeding the expected 213,000. Unit labor costs increased by 3.0% in Q4 after a 0.5% rise in Q3, while nonfarm business sector productivity grew 1.2%, down from a revised 2.3% in the prior quarter.
The S&amp;P 500 saw gains across most sectors, driven by consumer staples, technology, and financial stocks, while energy and healthcare lagged, closing lower.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.28% and closed at 44,747.63, the S&amp;P 500 closed higher by 0.36% at 6,083.57, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.51% to finish at 19,791.99.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Friday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed lower by 0.60% at 38,819.00, led by losses in the Communication, Automobiles &amp; Parts and Machinery sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 declined 0.11% to 8,511.40, led by losses in the Energy, Gold and Healthcare sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed lower by 0.18% at 23,561.25, and the Nifty 500 slid 0.14%, closing at 21,641.15. The losses were led by losses in the Oil and gas, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods, and Healthcare sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite rose 1.01% and closed at 3,303.67, while Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 rose 1.30% at 3,892.70.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng closed the session higher by 1.16% at 21,133.54.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was down 0.23%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX rose 0.04%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC declined 0.16%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE index 100 traded lower by 0.24%</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.79% at $71.17/bbl, and Brent was up 0.81% at $74.90/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices rose after new U.S. sanctions on Iran but remained on track for a third consecutive weekly decline due to trade war concerns.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 0.73% to $3.383.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.51% at $2,891.51, Silver was up 0.28% to $32.722, and Copper rose 1.30% to $4.5198.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were up 0.06%, S&amp;P 500 futures declined 0.01% and Nasdaq 100 futures slid 0.04%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. Dollar Index gained 0.04% to 107.74, USD/JPY was up 0.49% to 152.09, and USD/AUD fell 0.09% to 1.5899.</li>
<li>The U.S. dollar held steady ahead of payroll data, while the yen hit a nine-week high on BoJ rate hike bets. Markets eye U.S. job figures and Fed policy, while geopolitical tensions and trade developments add uncertainty.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia And Europe Markets Mixed; Dollar Steady Ahead of Key Data - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Wednesday, February 5th, U.S. markets closed in green as investors overlooked Alphabet&#8217;s decline and focused on potential Federal Reserve rate cuts. AI-related stocks showed signs of recovery, with major chipmakers rebounding. AMD struggled due to weaker data center sales. Market attention now shifts to upcoming economic data and Fed policy expectations.
According to economic data, the U.S. trade deficit widened to $98.4 billion in December from $78.9 billion, exceeding the $96.6 billion forecast. The ISM services PMI fell to 52.8 in January from 54, missing the expected 54.3.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors rose, led by real estate, tech, and financials, while communication services and consumer discretionary declined.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.71% and closed at 44,873.28, the S&amp;P 500 closed higher by 0.39% at 6,061.48, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.19% to finish at 19,692.33.
Aisa Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Thursday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 closed higher by 0.63% at 39,054.50, led by gains in the Manufacturing, Steel, Automobiles &amp; Parts sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 gained 1.23% to 8,520.70, led by gains in the Financials, Consumer Discretionary and Gold sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 closed lower by 0.29% at 23,628.20, and the Nifty 500 slid 0.47%, closing at 21,682.90. The losses were led by fall in the Real Estate, Consumer Durables, and Public Sector Undertakings sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite rose 1.30% and closed at 3,271.43, while Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 rose 1.28% at 3,843.49.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng closed the session higher by 1.43% at 20,891.62.</li>
<li>China has filed a WTO complaint against Trump&#8217;s new 10% tariffs and de minimis exemption removal, citing protectionism. The move disrupts shipping, triggers trade uncertainty and fuels U.S.-China tensions.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was up 0.74%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX rose 1.02%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC gained 0.77%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE index 100 traded higher by 1.30%</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.92% at $71.69/bbl, and Brent was up 0.82% at $75.24/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices edged up after Saudi Arabia raised March prices but remained near three-month lows due to U.S. crude stockpile builds and U.S.-China trade tariffs, including duties on energy products.</li>
<li>Natural Gas gained 0.21% to $3.367.</li>
<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.31% at $2,883.69, Silver was down 1.14% to $32.517, and Copper rose 0.93% to $4.4860.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were up 0.35%, S&amp;P 500 futures gained 0.22%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.17%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. Dollar Index gained 0.33% to 107.42, USD/JPY was up 0.01% to 152.60, and USD/AUD rose 0.31% to 1.5960.</li>
<li>The U.S. dollar rose amid tariff uncertainty, while sterling weakened ahead of a Bank of England rate decision. Markets await U.S. job data, influencing future currency movements and global trade sentiment.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

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