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Stock markets mostly fell during cautious trading sessions Thursday, a day before a key speech expected to offer signals about future interest rate cuts in the United States.US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, who has resisted President Donald Trump’s public demands to slash rates, is scheduled to deliver remarks Friday at the annual central bankers conference in Wyoming.Major European indices were lower in midday trading, tracking a lacklustre session in Asia, and Wall Street indices opened lower after weakness seen on Wednesday.Investors largely brushed off purchasing managers’ index (PMI) data showing eurozone business activity reached a 15-month high in August, while UK activity grew at its fastest pace in a year.”Eyes are turning to… Powell’s final speech at the Jackson Hole Symposium as Federal Reserve Chair (before his term ends in May 2026),” said Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown.”Although the effect of Trump’s tariffs on monetary policy will be the undercurrent theme, investors will be looking specifically for clues as to the Fed’s inclination to cut interest rates,” she said.Data last week provided a mixed picture of US inflation, leaving it uncertain whether the Fed will lower rates as many investors expect in September — a move that could bolster growth in the world’s largest economy.A recent sell-off in major tech stocks has added to market uncertainty, as investors grow wary of the sustained rally across the sector since April.The tech-heavy Nasdaq fell again on Thursday, though shares in AI chip designer Nvidia were trading flat after heavy selling in previous sessions ahead of its earnings report next week.Despite the building unease, shares in Seoul closed higher Thursday, bolstered by an uptick in Samsung’s share price.Shanghai, Sydney and Taipei also saw moderate gains.Tokyo’s Nikkei index closed lower, along with Hong Kong.Global markets have also fluctuated recently on the prospects of a peace deal in Ukraine, following days of high-stakes diplomacy in the aftermath of Trump’s Friday meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.The diplomatic whirlwind has sparked volatility in oil markets as traders speculate over the possible lifting of sanctions on Russia, a major producer.Oil prices rose again Thursday, following a report the previous day showing a sharp decline in US crude stockpiles.- Key figures at around 1340 GMT -New York – Dow: DOWN 0.6 percent at 44,675.02 pointsNew York – S&P 500: DOWN 0.3 percent at 6,374.53New York – Nasdaq: DOWN 0.3 percent at 21,116.06London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.3 percent at 9,259.45 pointsParis – CAC 40: DOWN 0.6 percent at 7,293.03 Frankfurt – DAX: DOWN 0.2 percent at 24,227.68Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.7 percent at 42,610.17 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.2 percent at 25,104.61 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 3,770.78 (close)Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1639 from $1.1648 on WednesdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3441 from $1.3452Dollar/yen: UP at 147.64 yen from 147.44 yenEuro/pound: DOWN at 86.56 pence from 86.59 penceWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.1 percent at $63.28 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.1 percent at $66.93 per barrel

The record launch in June for the Nintendo Switch 2, a game console that can be played at home or on the go, heralds a new portable race that Microsoft aims to win with a handheld version of its Xbox.Selling itself as the option for discerning, hardcore gamers, Microsoft’s Xbox ROG Ally console is available to try for the hundreds of thousands of visitors at the Gamescom trade show in Cologne, Germany.The US tech giant said the devices would go on sale from October 16, but has yet to reveal the price.Born of a partnership with Taiwanese hardware heavyweight Asus, the handheld device includes a central screen with two side grips sporting the same array of joysticks, triggers and buttons as a familiar Xbox controller.”We’re really designing and building around an entire ecosystem of devices, to allow people to play where they want, how they want,” Jason Ronald, the Microsoft vice president who heads up console development, told reporters.Microsoft’s console sales have declined and its Game Pass subscription service has yet to convince large numbers of players, pushing the world’s biggest games publisher to seek new sources of growth.- Sights on Valve -At 5.8 million units sold in seven weeks, the Switch 2’s mammoth launch figures have other industry players salivating.But “the Switch 2 has that unique thing of games that are nowhere else”, locking in fans of beloved Nintendo franchises like Mario or Zelda, Rhys Elliott of the data firm Alinea Analytics told AFP.Microsoft’s biggest competitor in the handheld arena is instead another American firm: Valve, which runs the Steam games platform and offers the Steam Deck portable device.Valve says sales of the device have reached several millions since its 2022 launch for the device, which aims at a different market from the Switch.Like the ROG Ally, the Steam Deck was conceived as an on-the-go alternative to a powerful gaming PC.With its portable, Microsoft is targeting “people that already own Xboxes and potentially a PC”, said Christopher Dring, founder of the specialist website The Game Business.”The bigger goal of this is engagement,” he added. “If you can get your players to play your games more, they will spend more” time and money on them even when away from the console in the living room.Elliott agreed that portables are “complementary” devices to existing consoles.- Sony on the sidelines -For now, Japan’s Sony, maker of the PlayStation consoles, is staying out of the portable fight, having withdrawn after 2011’s PlayStation Vita failed to match the success of the 2004-era PlayStation Portable, which scored 76 million sales.Sony never revealed sales figures for the Vita.But in late 2023 it dipped a toe back into the scene with a new PlayStation Portal, which incorporates a screen that lets users play games running on their console at home via internet streaming.With no official sales figures, some industry sources estimate around two million sales for the device.”Remote play still impacts a very small portion of the overall audience, but it’s growing and is showing strong potential for the future,” Mat Piscatella of the gaming data firm Circana has said.Gaming media is already abuzz with rumours about a portable version of a future PlayStation 6 — though Sony’s next-generation console is likely years away.

Stock markets mostly fell during cautious trading sessions on Thursday, one day before a key speech expected to offer signals about future interest rate cuts in the United States.US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, who has resisted public demands from President Donald Trump to slash rates, is scheduled to deliver remarks Friday at the annual central bankers conference in Wyoming.Major European indices were lower in midday trading, tracking a lacklustre session in Asia. Markets brushed off purchasing managers’ index (PMI) data showing eurozone business activity reached a 15-month high in August, while UK activity grew at its fastest pace in a year.”Eyes are turning to… Powell’s final speech at the Jackson Hole Symposium as Federal Reserve Chair,” said Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown.”Although the effect of Trump’s tariffs on monetary policy will be the undercurrent theme, investors will be looking specifically for clues as to the Fed’s inclination to cut interest rates,” she added.Data last week provided a mixed picture of US inflation, leaving it uncertain whether the Fed will lower rates as many investors expect in September — a move that could bolster growth in the world’s largest economy.A recent sell-off in major tech stocks has added to market uncertainty, as investors grow wary of a sustained rally across the sector.Wall Street closed mostly lower on Wednesday, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq falling again as shares in AI chipmaker Nvidia ticked down.Despite the building unease, shares in Seoul closed higher Thursday, bolstered by an uptick in Samsung’s share price.Shanghai, Sydney and Taipei also saw moderate gains.Tokyo’s Nikkei index closed lower, along with Hong Kong.Global markets have fluctuated recently on the prospects of a peace deal in Ukraine, following days of high-stakes diplomacy in the aftermath of Trump’s Friday meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.But hopes for an imminent end to the war — started by Moscow’s invasion over three years ago — were tempered on Wednesday after Russia said it must be included in any discussions on security guarantees for Ukraine.The diplomatic whirlwind has sparked volatility in oil markets as traders speculate over the possible lifting of sanctions on Russia, a major producer.Oil prices rose again Thursday, following a report the previous day showing a sharp decline in US crude stockpiles.- Key figures at around 1040 GMT -London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.3 percent at 9,259.45 pointsParis – CAC 40: DOWN 0.6 percent at 7,922.03 Frankfurt – DAX: DOWN 0.3 percent at 24,204.62Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.7 percent at 42,610.17 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.2 percent at 25,104.61 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 3,770.78 (close)New York – Dow: FLAT at 44,938.31 (close)Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1649 from $1.1648 on WednesdayPound/dollar: UP at $1.3468 from $1.3452Dollar/yen: UP at 147.89 yen from 147.44 yenEuro/pound: DOWN at 86.50 pence from 86.59 penceWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.9 percent at $63.28 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.8 percent at $67.40 per barrel

Markets were varied during cautious trading sessions on Thursday, one day before a key speech expected to offer signals about future interest rate cuts in the United States.US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, who has resisted public demands by President Donald Trump to slash rates, is scheduled to deliver remarks Friday at the annual central bankers conference in Wyoming.Data last week provided a mixed picture of US inflation, making it uncertain if the Fed will lower rates as many investors expect in September — which could bolster growth in the world’s largest economy.In a sign of further uncertainty, recent days have seen a sell-off of major technology stocks as investors grow wary of a sustained rally across the sector despite a range of global economic hurdles.Wall Street closed mostly lower on Wednesday, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq falling again as shares in AI chip-maker Nvidia ticked down.Despite the building unease, shares in Seoul closed higher Thursday, bolstered by an uptick in Samsung’s price.Shanghai, Sydney and Taipei also saw moderate gains on the day.Meanwhile, Tokyo’s Nikkei index closed lower for the second day in a row, while shares in Hong Kong finished narrowly down.Morning trading in Europe saw Frankfurt and Paris make slight drops. London was nearly flat.Japan reported Wednesday that the country’s July exports plunged at the steepest rate in over four years, straining under hefty US tariffs.The slump in tech stocks on Wednesday “appeared more like profit-taking than a shift in conviction”, wrote Ahmad Assiri, research strategist at Pepperstone, in a note.”This rotation out of tech suggests a cooling-off phase rather than a wholesale shift in positioning,” he added.Global markets have fluctuated recently on the prospects of a peace deal in Ukraine, following days of high-stakes diplomacy in the aftermath of Trump’s Friday meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.But hopes for an imminent end to the war — started by Moscow’s invasion over three years ago — were tempered Wednesday after Russia said it must be included in any discussions on security guarantees for Ukraine.The diplomatic whirlwind has sparked volatility in oil markets as traders speculate over the possible lifting of sanctions on Russia, a major producer.Oil prices continued to rise Thursday on the heels of a report the previous day showing a sharp decline in US crude stockpiles.- Key figures at around 0830 GMT -Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.7 percent at 42,610.17 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.2 percent at 25,104.61 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 3,770.78 (close)London – FTSE 100: FLAT at 9,291.98Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1656 from $1.1648 on WednesdayPound/dollar: UP at $1.3468 from $1.3452Dollar/yen: UP at 147.58 yen from 147.44 yenEuro/pound: DOWN at 86.55 pence from 86.59 penceWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.8 percent at $63.20 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.7 percent at $67.29 per barrelNew York – Dow: FLAT at 44,938.31 (close)

Asian markets edged mostly upward in muted morning trading on Thursday, one day before a key speech expected to offer signals about future interest rate cuts in the United States.US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, who has resisted public demands by President Donald Trump to cut rates, is scheduled to deliver remarks Friday at the annual central bankers conference in Wyoming.Data last week provided a mixed picture of US inflation, making it uncertain if the Fed will lower rates as many investors expect in September — which could bolster growth in the world’s largest economy.In a sign of further uncertainty, recent days have seen a sell-off of major technology stocks as investors grow wary of a sustained rally in the industry despite a range of global economic hurdles.Wall Street closed mostly lower on Wednesday, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq falling again as shares in AI chip-maker Nvidia ticked down.Despite the building unease, shares in Seoul were up Thursday morning, bolstered by a rise in Samsung’s price.Shanghai, Sydney, Taipei and Bangkok also charted moderate rises.Tokyo’s Nikkei index continued its fall from the previous day, while shares in Hong Kong were flat.Japan reported Wednesday that the country’s July exports plunged at the steepest rate in over four years, straining under hefty US tariffs.Wednesday also saw Hong Kong’s stock exchange operator post record half-year revenue, riding a renewed surge in listings and trading activity in the Chinese finance hub.Global markets have fluctuated recently on the prospects of a peace deal in Ukraine, following days of high-stakes diplomacy in the aftermath of Trump’s Friday meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.But hopes for an imminent end to the war — started by Moscow’s invasion over three years ago — were tempered Wednesday after Russia said it must be included in any discussions on security guarantees for Ukraine.The diplomatic whirlwind has sparked volatility in oil markets as traders speculate over the possible lifting of sanctions on Russia, a major producer.Oil prices continued to rise Thursday on the heels of a report the previous day showing a sharp decline in crude stockpiles.- Key figures at around 0215 GMT -Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.4 percent at 42,706.39Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: FLAT at 25,162.78Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.2 percent at 3,773.56Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1647 from $1.1648 on WednesdayPound/dollar: UP at $1.3455 from $1.3452Dollar/yen: DOWN at 147.31 yen from 147.44 yenEuro/pound: DOWN at 86.56 pence from 86.59 penceWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.5 percent at $63.00 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.4 percent at $67.09 per barrelNew York – Dow: FLAT at 44,938.31 (close)London – FTSE 100: UP 1.1 percent at 9,288.14 (close)

Sony on Wednesday said it is bumping up the price of PlayStation 5 video game consoles by $50 in the United States due to a “challenging economic environment.”Tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump hike the cost of goods brought into the US, leaving companies like Japan’s Sony to decide whether to pass that on to consumers.”Similar to many global businesses, we continue to navigate a challenging economic environment,” Sony Interactive Entertainment vice president of global marketing Isabelle Tomatis said in a post.After initially being threatened with a 25 percent hike, Japan negotiated a 15 percent tariff with the Trump administration.”As a result, we’ve made the difficult decision to increase the recommended retail price for PlayStation 5 consoles in the US.”The new price for PS5 will be $550, with a “Digital Edition” priced at $500 and a Pro version for $750, according to Tomatis. In May, Sony warned it was considering tweaking prices in the US, estimating that tariffs could wind up costing the company about $680 million in the fiscal year.  American companies are feeling the crunch, too.New York-based cosmetics giant Estee Lauder recently estimated the impact of the new tariffs at around $100 million for the 2026 financial year and plans to adjust its prices to offset the additional cost.US snack giant PepsiCo could increase prices of its soft drinks about 10 percent to mitigate effects of US tariffs, particularly those on imported aluminum used to make soda cans, according to trade magazine Beverage Digest.Meanwhile, California-based energy drink maker Monster Beverages is considering raising prices due to a “complex and dynamic customs landscape,” according to chief executive Hilton Schlosberg.The Commerce Department this week said the US broadened its steel and aluminum tariffs, impacting hundreds more products that contain both metals such as child seats, tableware and heavy equipment.Since returning to the presidency, Trump has imposed tariffs on almost all US trading partners.Though the impact of Trump’s tariffs on consumer prices has been limited so far, economists warn that their full effects are yet to be seen.Some businesses have coped by bringing forward purchases of products they expected will encounter tariffs. Others have passed on additional costs to their consumers, or absorbed a part of the fresh tariff burden.

Stock markets fluctuated on Wednesday, with many investors sticking to the sidelines while looking for clues on US interest rate moves.Trading volumes were light overall, with another pullback in US tech heavyweights spurring caution after their stellar run since April.Tuesday’s tech sell-off, which extended into Wednesday, was “sparked by concerns about overexcitement and overvaluations in AI stocks,” said Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor.Wall Street closed mostly lower, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq falling again as shares in AI chip-maker Nvidia ticked down.Its rival Advanced Micro Devices and software provider Palantir also pulled back on Wednesday.Paris and Frankfurt fell, with European defense stocks adding to losses on signs that a path may be clearing for Ukraine peace talks.London’s FTSE 100 index rose but the pound fell back from earlier highs after UK inflation rose more than expected in July, dampening hopes that the Bank of England will cut rates again this year.Minutes of the US Federal Reserve’s recent policy meeting in July showed that a majority of officials judged that inflation risks outweighed those of employment for now — as policymakers voted to keep interest rates unchanged despite two dissents.All eyes are now on Fed Chair Jerome Powell, who has resisted US President Donald Trump’s vociferous calls for rate cuts and is set to deliver remarks Friday at the annual central bankers conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.Data last week provided a mixed picture of US inflation, making it uncertain if the Fed will lower rates as many investors expect in September — which could bolster growth in the world’s largest economy.Traders have also been watching the recent diplomatic whirlwind aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine, after Trump’s high-stakes meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska. It has been more than three years since Moscow’s invasion.Investors are monitoring the possibility of face-to-face talks between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has said he is ready for such a meeting.Oil prices rose, recovering part of the losses from the previous day, as investors monitored progress on Ukraine peace talks.In Asia, Tokyo closed down 1.5 percent after official data showed Japanese exports suffered their steepest drop in more than four years last month as US tariffs weighed.Hong Kong advanced while Shanghai closed up one percent.Hong Kong’s stock exchange operator posted record half-year revenue, riding a renewed surge in listings and trading activity at the Chinese finance hub.In company news, shares in mining giant Anglo American fell 0.9 percent in London after US group Peabody Energy walked away from a $3.8 billion deal to buy its steelmaking coal business. – Key figures at around 2025 GMT -New York – Dow: FLAT at 44,938.31 points (close)New York – S&P 500: DOWN 0.2 percent at 6,395.78 (close)New York – Nasdaq: DOWN 0.7 percent at 21,172.85 (close)London – FTSE 100: UP 1.1 percent at 9,288.14 (close)Paris – CAC 40: DOWN 0.1 percent at 7,973.03 (close)Frankfurt – DAX: DOWN 0.6 percent at 24,276.97 (close)Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.5 percent at 42,888.55 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 0.2 percent at 25,165.94 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 1.0 percent at 3,766.21 (close)Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1648 from $1.1646 on TuesdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3452 from $1.3489Dollar/yen: DOWN at 147.44 yen from 147.64 yenEuro/pound: UP at 86.59 pence from 86.33 penceWest Texas Intermediate: UP 1.4 percent at $63.21 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: UP 1.6 percent at $66.84 per barrelpfc-ajb-js-bys/aha

Stock markets were mixed Wednesday after a US tech sell-off while investors awaited signals from US policymakers on the outlook for interest rates.Paris was flat and Frankfurt fell in midday deals, with European defence stocks extending losses on hopes for progress in Ukraine peace talks.London’s FTSE 100 index and the pound edged up after UK inflation rose more than expected in July, dampening bets that the Bank of England will cut rates again this year. A “US tech sell-off drags European markets into the red,” noted Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor. Several major technology firms, including Nvidia, Palantir and Oracle, lost market share on Wall Street Tuesday on fears that their recent rally may have run too far.The sell-off was “sparked by concerns about overexcitement and overvaluations in AI stocks,” Scholar added.In company news, shares in mining giant Anglo American fell around two percent in London after US group Peabody Energy walked away from a $3.8 billion deal to buy its steelmaking coal business. Investors eagerly awaited a speech on Friday by US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at the annual retreat of global central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.Powell could provide more clues about a widely expected interest rate cut at the Fed’s next policy meeting in September, after data last week provided a mixed picture of inflation in the United States.Traders have also been watching a recent diplomatic whirlwind aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine, after President Donald Trump’s high-stakes meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska.Eyes are now on potential face-to-face talks between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has said he is ready for such a meeting.Oil prices rose, recovering part of the losses from the previous day, as investors monitored progress on Ukraine peace talks.In Asia, Tokyo closed down 1.5 percent after official data showed Japanese exports suffered their steepest drop in more than four years last month as US tariffs weighed.Hong Kong advanced and Shanghai closed up one percent.Hong Kong’s stock exchange operator posted record half-year revenue, riding a renewed surge in  listings and trading activity at the Chinese finance hub.- Key figures at around 1040 GMT -London – FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 9,211.48 pointsParis – CAC 40: FLAT at 7,980.48Frankfurt – DAX: DOWN 0.3 percent at 24,348.48Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.5 percent at 42,888.55 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 0.2 percent at 25,165.94 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 1.0 percent at 3,766.21 (close)New York – Dow: FLAT at 44,922.27 (close)Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1654 from $1.1646 on TuesdayPound/dollar: UP at $1.3499 from $1.3489Dollar/yen: DOWN at 147.43 yen from 147.64 yenEuro/pound: DOWN at 86.30 pence from 86.33 penceWest Texas Intermediate: UP 1.0 percent at $63.00 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: UP 1.1 percent at $66.49 per barrel

Markets were mixed Wednesday in the face of worrying signs for Japanese exports, as investors await signals from US policymakers of an interest rate cut in the world’s largest economy.Traders have also been watching a recent diplomatic whirlwind to resolve the protracted war in Ukraine, after President Donald Trump’s high-stakes meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska.Eyes are now on potential face-to-face talks between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has said he is ready for such a meeting.Tokyo dropped sharply on Wednesday, closing the day down 1.5 percent. South Korea and Taipei also finished down.Hong Kong recovered from a morning dip to advance slightly during afternoon trading, closing up 0.2 percent.Shanghai, Sydney, Jakarta and Bangkok also rose. Manila was flat.Hong Kong’s stock exchange operator posted record half-year revenue on Wednesday, riding a renewed surge in public listings and trading activity at the Chinese finance hub.Tuesday on Wall Street saw several major technology firms lose significant market share, including Nvidia, Palantir and Oracle.The selloffs came amid increasing unease over a sustained rally in tech stocks this year despite a range of uncertainties facing the global economy.Among the challenges are biting tariffs unleashed by Trump on major US trading partners this year.Official data showed Wednesday that Japanese exports suffered their steepest drop in more than four years last month.Hours later, statistics authorities in Britain revealed that inflation in the country reached its highest level in July since the start of last year, a sign of further pressure on the UK economy.The higher-than-expected reading “came largely as a result of yet another chunky rise in food prices, but also by virtue of an upward impulse from consumer energy costs”, wrote Michael Brown, senior research strategist at Pepperstone.London and Paris were down in morning trade, while Frankfurt saw a modest gain.Investors are eagerly awaiting a speech on Friday by US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at the annual retreat of global central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.Traders hope Powell will provide more clues about a widely expected interest rate cut at the Fed’s next policy meeting in September, after data last week provided a mixed picture about inflation in the United States.”Powell’s Wyoming speech is being framed as a high-wire act,” wrote Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management in a note.”Too dovish, and he risks stoking long-end inflation fears; too stern, and he risks yanking the oxygen mask off equities already trading in rarified air.”- Key figures at around 0830 GMT -Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.5 percent at 42,888.55 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 0.2 percent at 25,165.94 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 1.0 percent at 3,766.21 (close)London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.2 percent at 9,169.14Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1638 from $1.1646 on TuesdayPound/dollar: UP at $1.3499 from $1.3489Dollar/yen: DOWN at 147.55 yen from 147.64 yenEuro/pound: DOWN at 86.21 pence from 86.33 penceWest Texas Intermediate: UP 1.0 percent at $63.00 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.9 percent at $66.36 per barrelNew York – Dow: FLAT at 44,922.27 (close)

Asian markets mostly fell Wednesday morning, mirroring a rout of US tech titans the previous day as investors await signals of an interest rate cut in the world’s largest economy.The dips also came after top US and European military leaders met in Washington on Tuesday to discuss the mechanics of a possible Ukraine peace deal.Recent days have seen a whirlwind of diplomatic efforts to resolve the protracted war after President Donald Trump’s high-stakes meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska.Eyes are now on potential face-to-face talks between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has said he is ready for such a meeting.The negotiations have sparked volatility in oil markets, which fell back Tuesday from gains made on Monday.Tokyo’s Nikkei dropped sharply during Wednesday morning trading, while shares in Hong Kong, South Korea, Taipei and Bangkok also fell. Shanghai, Sydney and Manila rose.The previous day on Wall Street saw several major technology firms lose significant market share, including Nvidia, Palantir and Oracle.The selloffs come amid increasing unease over a prolonged rally in tech stocks this year despite a range of uncertainties facing the global economy.Among the challenges are biting tariffs unleashed by Trump on major US trading partners this year.Official data showed Wednesday morning that Japanese exports suffered their steepest drop in more than four years last month.Meanwhile, investors are eagerly awaiting a speech on Friday by US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at the annual retreat of global central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.Traders also hope Powell will provide more clues about a widely expected interest rate cut at the Fed’s next policy meeting in September, after data last week provided a mixed picture about inflation in the United States.”Powell’s Wyoming speech is being framed as a high-wire act,” wrote Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management in a note.”Too dovish, and he risks stoking long-end inflation fears; too stern, and he risks yanking the oxygen mask off equities already trading in rarified air.”- Key figures at around 0215 GMT -Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.6 percent at 42835.84Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.3 percent at 25045.13Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 3,731.51Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1625 from $1.1646 on TuesdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3465 from $1.3489Dollar/yen: DOWN at 147.60 yen from 147.64 yenEuro/pound: UP at 86.34 pence from 86.33 penceWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.6 percent at $62.72 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.1 percent at $65.86 per barrelNew York – Dow: FLAT at 44,922.27 (close)London – FTSE 100: UP 0.3 percent at 9,189.22 (close)