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US President Donald Trump said Friday he no longer feels a summit is necessary with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping this month, slamming Beijing for hostile trade practices and threatening “massive” tariffs.”Some very strange things are happening in China! They are becoming very hostile,” Trump said in a long post on Truth Social that railed against China imposing export controls on rare earth minerals — a critical component in modern technology.”I was to meet President Xi in two weeks, at APEC, in South Korea, but now there seems to be no reason to do so,” he added in the post, which he sent as he headed for a medical check-up at a military hospital near WashingtonTrump said China had sent letters to countries around the world detailing export controls on “each and every element of production having to do with Rare Earths, and virtually anything else they can think of, even if it’s not manufactured in China.””There is no way that China should be allowed to hold the World ‘captive,’ but that seems to have been their plan for quite some time,” Trump wrote, adding that Beijing had been “lying in wait” despite what he characterized as six months of good bilateral relations.Rare earth elements are critical to manufacturing everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to military hardware and renewable energy technology. China dominates global production and processing of these materials.”One of the Policies that we are calculating at this moment is a massive increase of Tariffs on Chinese products coming into the United States of America,” Trump said, adding that he was considering “many other countermeasures.”Trump said other countries had contacted the United States expressing anger over China’s “great Trade hostility, which came out of nowhere.”The president added that he had not spoken to Xi about the matter.He characterized China’s approach as building monopoly positions on magnets and other elements, calling it “a rather sinister and hostile move, to say the least.”

Wall Street rebounded, European stock markets steadied and oil prices fell Friday as investors weighed the US government shutdown, fears of an AI bubble and the Gaza ceasefire.The week was marked by a raft of new records in several markets, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq index, the Frankfurt stock exchange and gold prices reaching new heights. Silver also surged to a decades-long high.The Nasdaq, S&P 500 and the Dow opened higher on Friday, the 10th day of the US government shutdown, after retreating the previous day.”The stock market … has yet to show that it really cares about the shutdown,” said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O’Hare.Investors were focusing on third-quarter corporate results.Buying sentiment won a boost this week from news that ChatGPT-maker OpenAI had signed multi-billion-dollar chip deals with US firm AMD as well as South Korean titans Samsung and SK hynix.The spending added to the hundreds of billions already pumped into the sector as firms look to get ahead in the sphere of artificial intelligence.That in turn has seen investors flood into the tech sector, sending stock prices rocketing — with US chip leader Nvidia topping a $4 trillion market capitalisation.However, there are rumblings that the rally could run out of steam, causing jitters on trading floors.”The AI bubble debate remains a hot topic: some argue this is the new internet bubble 2.0 waiting to burst, others think it’s a bubble that still has room to inflate,” said Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank.”And many point out that as long as earnings growth holds, the market can keep going,” she added.Such worries have been part of the reason behind the rally in gold to a record price above $4,000 an ounce Wednesday.Alexandra Symeonidi, corporate credit analyst at William Blair, said that “some market participants started to question the sustainability of the price momentum” and had begun to draw parallels with previous asset bubbles.”So, while the overall market has been healthy, investors have been adding hedges in what is broadly considered to be a safe haven asset.”In Europe, the Frankfurt DAX index and London’s FTSE 100 were flat in afternoon deals.Paris was down 0.1 percent as French President Emmanuel Macron was due to pick a head of government tasked with lifting the country out of political crisis following his last prime minister’s resignation.Oil prices, meanwhile, fell more than two percent as the Gaza ceasefire took effect, easing concerns about a wider regional conflict that could disrupt supply.The US benchmark oil contract, WTI, fell under $60 per barrel.- Key figures at around 1335 GMT -New York – Dow: UP 0.4 percent at 46,563.85 pointsNew York – S&P 500: UP 0.2 percent at 6,748.22New York – Nasdaq Composite: UP 0.2 percent at 23,064.70London – FTSE 100: FLAT at 9,507.77 Paris – CAC 40: DOWN 0.1 percent at 8,033.51Frankfurt – DAX: FLAT at 24,609.52Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.0 percent at 48,088.80 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 1.7 percent at 26,290.32 (close)Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.9 percent at 3,897.03 (close)Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1567 from $1.1558 on ThursdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3275 from $1.3294Dollar/yen: DOWN at 152.62 yen from 153.14 yenEuro/pound: UP at 87.15 pence from 86.94 penceBrent North Sea Crude: DOWN 2.5 percent at $63.62 per barrelWest Texas Intermediate: DOWN 2.6 percent at $59.92 per barrel

Stock markets struggled Friday following a mixed week dominated by the Gaza ceasefire, US government shutdown and fears that the artificial intelligence sector is overvalued.After some equity indices hit record highs, along with gold and bitcoin, “the bull run is on pause”, noted Derren Nathan, head of equity research at Hargreaves Lansdown.European and Asian stock markets were largely downbeat Friday after losses Thursday on Wall Street.The dollar traded mixed against main rivals and oil prices slid more than one percent.Nathan added that “the great reality check, otherwise known as third-quarter earnings season, is upon us”.Buying sentiment won a boost this week from news that ChatGPT-maker OpenAI had signed multi-billion-dollar chip deals with South Korean titans Samsung and SK hynix as well as US firm AMD.The spending added to the hundreds of billions already pumped into the sector as firms look to get ahead on the sphere of artificial intelligence.That in turn has seen investors flood into the tech sector, sending stock prices rocketing — with US chip leader Nvidia topping a $4 trillion market capitalisation.However, there are rumblings that the rally could run out of steam, causing jitters on trading floors.”Some areas of the market appear overheated,” said Keith Lerner at Truist Advisory Services. Such worries have been part of the reason behind the rally in gold to a record above $4,000 an ounce Wednesday.Alexandra Symeonidi, corporate credit analyst at William Blair, wrote: “Given the strong rally in tech stocks some market participants started to question the sustainability of the price momentum and were driving parallels with recent bubbles.”So, while the overall market has been healthy, investors have been adding hedges in what is broadly considered to be a safe haven asset.”Still, Pepperstone’s Michael Brown remained upbeat on equities and saw plenty of upside. “My view remains that dips in the equity complex should still be viewed as buying opportunities, with the ‘path of least resistance’ continuing to lead higher amid resilient underlying economic growth, robust earnings growth, and a looser Fed policy backdrop,” he wrote in a commentary.- Key figures at around 1045 GMT -London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.1 percent at 9,500.38 pointsParis – CAC 40: UP 0.1 percent at 8,045.47Frankfurt – DAX: DOWN 0.2 percent at 24,571.46Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.0 percent at 48,088.80 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 1.7 percent at 26,290.32 (close)Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.9 percent at 3,897.03 (close)New York – Dow: DOWN 0.5 percent at 46,358.42 (close)Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1575 from $1.1558 on ThursdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3280 from $1.3294Dollar/yen: DOWN at 152.71 yen from 153.14 yenEuro/pound: UP at 87.17 pence from 86.94 penceBrent North Sea Crude: DOWN 1.2 percent at $64.41 per barrelWest Texas Intermediate: DOWN 1.2 percent at $60.76 per barrel

Asian equities staggered into the weekend on Friday following a mixed week that saw an agreement on a Middle East ceasefire and huge new AI investments play off against the US shutdown and concerns about a tech bubble.While some markets hit record highs along with gold and bitcoin, talk is growing that valuations among some companies may have run too high, sparking talk of a pullback.Buying sentiment got another boost this week from news that ChatGPT-maker OpenAI had signed multi-billion-dollar chip deals with South Korean titans Samsung and SK hynix as well as US firm AMD.The spending added to the hundreds of billions already pumped into the sector as firms look to get ahead on the sphere of artificial intelligence.That in turn has seen investors flood into the tech sector, sending stock prices rocketing — with US chip leader Nvidia topping a $4 trillion market capitalisation.However, there are rumblings that the rally could run out of steam, causing jitters on trading floors.”Some areas of the market appear overheated,” said Keith Lerner at Truist Advisory Services. Such worries have been part of the reason behind the rally in gold to a record above $4,000 on Wednesday.Alexandra Symeonidi, corporate credit analyst at William Blair, wrote: “Given the strong rally in tech stocks some market participants started to question the sustainability of the price momentum and were driving parallels with recent bubbles.”So, while the overall market has been healthy, investors have been adding hedges in what is broadly considered to be a safe haven asset.”Still, Pepperstone’s Michael Brown remained upbeat on equities and saw plenty of upside. “My view remains that dips in the equity complex should still be viewed as buying opportunities, with the ‘path of least resistance’ continuing to lead higher amid resilient underlying economic growth, robust earnings growth, and a looser Fed policy backdrop,” he wrote in a commentary.Gold has since fallen sharply, helped by profit-taking as well as a breakthrough in Gaza peace talks and a strengthening dollar.All three main indexes on Wall Street ended in the red, and Asia largely followed suit.Hong Kong, Tokyo and Shanghai were among the biggest losers, while there were also retreats in Sydney, Singapore, Wellington, Bangkok and Manila. London was down, though Paris rose with Frankfurt.Seoul, however, rallied more than one percent thanks to a surge of more than six percent in Samsung on optimism about its AI chips and memory business.Mumbai and Jakarta were also up.On currency markets, the yen rose against the dollar after the junior partner in Japan’s ruling coalition said it was leaving the alliance with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.The move comes days after the LDP elected stimulus-friendly Sanae Takaichi as its new leader, putting her on course to become prime minister.Komeito chief Tetsuo Saito reportedly told Takaichi that her answers on the LDP’s recent slush fund scandal were unsatisfactory. The move will likely make it difficult for the LDP to pass key legislation, including spending.Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 stock surged this week on Takaichi’s election, which stoked hopes for more stimulus measures and a push for easier monetary policies from the Bank of Japan. Futures in the index tumbled on Friday.Adding to the unease across markets is the standoff in Washington that is expected to see a US government shutdown run into a third week, with both sides showing no sign of backing down.Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated a weekend session was unlikely, according to news website Semafor. The Senate was due to be in session on Friday, with an eighth vote on the House-passed bill tipped to fail. Donald Trump repeated threats to slash government programmes popular with Democrats as he berated the party over the shutdown at a cabinet meeting.”The Democrat shutdown is causing pain and suffering for hardworking Americans, including our military, our air traffic controllers and impoverished mothers, people with young children, people that have to live not the greatest of lives,” he said. Democrats are privately preparing a shutdown lasting several more weeks, CNN reported, if Republicans do not agree to their demands to extend health care subsidies due to expire on December 31.- Key figures at around 0810 GMT -Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.0 percent at 48,088.80 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 1.7 percent at 26,290.32 (close)Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.9 percent at 3,897.03 (close)London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.1 percent at 9,497.77Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1577 from $1.1558 on ThursdayPound/dollar: UP at $1.3301 from $1.3294Dollar/yen: DOWN at 152.87 yen from 153.14 yenEuro/pound: UP at 87.05 pence from 86.94 penceWest Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.4 percent at $61.25 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.6 percent at $64.84 per barrelNew York – Dow: DOWN 0.5 percent at 46,358.42 (close)

The price of silver hit a multi-decade high on Thursday as investors kept flocking to safe havens amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty, while gold eased off a record run.Stock markets, meanwhile, were mixed as traders weighed a slew of issues: massive AI investments, corporate results, US interest rates, the US government shutdown, political turmoil in France and a Gaza ceasefire deal.The price of silver topped $50 an ounce, attaining levels not seen since 1980, according to Bloomberg. The surge comes in the wake of sister safe-haven gold, which retreated after hitting a record above $4,000 an ounce on Wednesday.”I think it’s a catch-up effect,” John Plassard, head of investment strategy at Cite Gestion Private Bank, told AFP.He cited concerns about the US economy, prospects of more interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve this year and worries about France’s debt.”What’s also happening — and this is what gave silver an extra boost — is that we’ve started hearing talk of a shortage of silver,” Plassard said, noting that the metal is used as an investment asset as well as for industries such as solar panels.Gold and silver are seen as safe haven investments in times of uncertainty.The dollar firmed against main rivals as it rebounds following a deep retreat for much of 2025.The greenback’s recovery is “being propelled by a dual engine: deteriorating conditions abroad and recalibrated expectations at home,” said a note from Convera that pointed to political instability in France and “dovish pivots” in Japan.On the equities front, major US indices retreated from records the prior session amid a dearth of economic data due to a government shutdown.US stocks have been resilient despite Republicans and Democrats appearing no closer to reaching a deal to reopen the government over a week into the shutdown.”Even the most bullish markets take a break sometimes,” said Steve Sosnick of Interactive Brokers.Investors are turning their attention towards company results.Shares in soft drink and snacks giant PepsiCo jumped 4.2 percent after reporting a third-quarter sales increase that beat expectations.Shares in Delta also climbed more than four percent after the airline posted strong profits and offered a bullish outlook on travel demand.But Boeing slid 4.1 percent following a Reuters report that Turkish Airlines could switch to Airbus for a recent plane order because of concerns about economic terms with engine supplier CFM International.The Paris stock market dipped as French President Emmanuel Macron races to find a new prime minister after the resignation of Sebastien Lecornu tipped the country deeper into political crisis.The Frankfurt DAX set a new record high.Ferrari had its worst slump since entering the Milan stock market in 2016, falling almost 15 percent at one point as an update to its 2030 financial guidance disappointed investors.In Asia, the Tokyo stock market closed up 1.8 percent after business-friendly Sanae Takaichi recently became leader of Japan’s ruling party.- Key figures at around 2010 GMT -New York – Dow: DOWN 0.5 percent at 46,358.42 (close)New York – S&P 500: DOWN 0.3 percent at 6,735.11 (close)New York – Nasdaq Composite: DOWN 0.1 percent at 23,024.63 (close)London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.4 percent at 9,509.40 (close)Paris – CAC 40: DOWN 0.2 percent at 8,041.36 (close)Frankfurt – DAX: UP 0.1 percent at 24,611.25 (close)Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 1.8 percent at 48,580.44 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.3 percent at 26,752.59 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 1.3 percent at 3,933.97 (close)Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1558 from $1.1628 on WednesdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3294 from $1.3404Dollar/yen: UP at 153.14 yen from 152.69 yenEuro/pound: UP at 86.94 pence from 86.77 penceBrent North Sea Crude: DOWN 1.6 percent at $65.22 per barrelWest Texas Intermediate: DOWN 1.7 percent at $61.51 per barrel

European and Asian stock markets traded mixed Thursday as investors assessed the outlook for the global AI-fuelled rally, Federal Reserve interest rates and the US government shutdown.News that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire dampened oil price and defence stocks while gold, seen as a safe haven investment, retreated one day after hitting an all-time high above $4,000 an ounce.The dollar firmed against main rivals.”Risk sentiment remains high, US stocks closed at record highs on Wednesday, as traders continue to dismiss fears of a bubble in the AI trade,” noted Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB trading group.Technology firms have been riding to ever-higher levels this year — dragging equity markets with them as companies pump hundreds of billions of dollars into all things linked to artificial intelligence. But there is growing concern that the returns may not match the investment sums, leading to warnings that valuations may have gone too far. “AI is clearly a bubble,” warned Neil Wilson at Saxo markets. “The question is when — not if — it blows up. And timing is incredibly hard.”Global politics was another main focus for traders Thursday.Israel and Hamas have agreed a Gaza ceasefire deal to free the remaining living hostages, in a major step towards ending a war that has killed tens of thousands of people and unleashed a humanitarian catastrophe.In Asia, the Tokyo stock market closed up 1.8 percent after business-friendly Sanae Takaichi recently became leader of Japan’s ruling party.Paris rose slightly in midday deals as French President Emmanuel Macron races to find a new prime minister after the resignation of Sebastien Lecornu tipped the country deeper into political crisis.In the United States, Republicans and Democrats appeared no closer to reaching a deal to reopen the government as the row goes into a second week.Democrats voted for a sixth time to block a Republican stopgap funding measure to reopen government departments.Democrats refuse to back any funding bill that does not offer an extension of expiring health care subsidies for 24 million people.Minutes from the Fed’s latest interest-rate meeting meanwhile showed divisions among policy makers over cutting borrowing costs.On the corporate front, shares in HSBC slid in London and Hong Kong after the global banking giant said it planned to buy the remaining 27 percent of its subsidiary Hang Seng Bank for around US$14 billion.- Key figures at around 1045 GMT -London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.4 percent at 9,515.19 pointsParis – CAC 40: UP 0.2 percent at 8,077.35Frankfurt – DAX: UP 0.3 percent at 24,664.56Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 1.8 percent at 48,580.44 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.3 percent at 26,752.59 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 1.3 percent at 3,933.97 (close)New York – Dow: FLAT at 46,601.78 (close)Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1616 from $1.1628 on WednesdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3379 from $1.3401Dollar/yen: UP at 152.72 yen from 152.64 yenEuro/pound: UP at 86.84 pence from 86.78 penceBrent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.5 percent at $65.90 per barrelWest Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.6 percent at $62.18 per barrel

Markets were mixed on Thursday as investors tried to assess the outlook for the global AI-fuelled rally, Federal Reserve interest rates and the US government shutdown.News that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire provided some relief from geopolitical concerns, while gold retreated the day after hitting an all-time high above $4,000.Technology firms have been riding to ever-higher levels this year — dragging equity markets with them as companies pump hundreds of billions of dollars into all things linked to AI. But there is growing concern that the returns might not match the investment sums, leading to warnings that valuations may have gone too far. “AI is clearly a bubble,” warned Neil Wilson at Saxo markets. “The question is when — not if — it blows up. And timing is incredibly hard,” he said.”(Software giant) Oracle had a stab at pricking the bubble yesterday by disclosing that the margins from its AI cloud business — including server rentals using Nvidia chips — are very slim.”Tesla added to the gravity… as it dropped 4.5 percent on (its) lower-priced Model 3/Y reveal that underwhelmed analysts. Third-quarter earnings are still set to be strong, but doubts are being seeded for later.”However, while the Oracle report dragged Wall Street on Tuesday, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq bounced back the day after to end at fresh records.In Asia, Tokyo rallied 1.8 percent on continued optimism about further stimulus following the election of business-friendly Sanae Takaichi as leader of Japan’s ruling party.Shanghai advanced as it reopened after a week-long holiday, while Sydney, Wellington, Taipei, Mumbai and Bangkok were also up, and Frankfurt opened at a record high. Paris was also higher.Hong Kong dipped along with Singapore, Manila, Jakarta and London.The US shutdown was not helping matters, with Republicans and Democrats no closer to reaching a deal to reopen the government as the row goes into a second week.Democrats voted for a sixth time to block a Republican stopgap funding measure to reopen government departments — they refuse to back any funding bill that does not offer an extension of expiring health care subsidies for 24 million people.Minutes from the Fed’s latest rate meeting showed divisions among decision-makers on cutting them, with some agreeing only after being persuaded in discussion over rising prices and a string of weak jobs figures.”Policymakers that are becoming increasingly concerned about downside risks to employment likely favour additional and faster rate cuts going forward,” HSBC’s Ryan Wang said. “Those that are more concerned about upside inflation risks are likely more circumspect about future cuts.”Geopolitical worries were eased after news that Israel and Hamas agreed on Thursday to the first phase of a deal to end the Gaza war that has killed tens of thousands and at times fanned worries of a possible wider Middle East conflict.Donald Trump announced a 20-point peace plan that would see Palestinian militant group Hamas release all hostages, while Israel would pull its troops back to an agreed-upon line. Oil prices inched up, having initially dropped on news of the deal.Gold, which hit a record of nearly $4,060 an ounce Wednesday — partly on concerns about the Gaza crisis — was slightly lower.In company news, Hong Kong-listed Hang Seng Bank soared more than 26 percent on reports that HSBC plans to take it private by buying its remaining shares. The deal values the lender at US$37 billion. HSBC tumbled seven percent.HSBC Asia and Middle East co-chief executive David Liao told reporters the plan was “an investment in Hong Kong’s development potential — a growth plan”.- Key figures at around 0810 GMT -Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 1.8 percent at 48,580.44 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.3 percent at 26,752.59 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 1.3 percent at 3,933.97 (close)London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.4 percent at 9,513.88 Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1611 from $1.1628 on WednesdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3352 from $1.3401Dollar/yen: UP at 153.09 yen from 152.64 yenEuro/pound: UP at 86.96 pence from 86.78 penceWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.2 percent at $62.67 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.2 percent at $66.36 per barrelNew York – Dow: FLAT at 46,601.78

Asian markets were mixed Thursday as investors tried to assess the outlook for the global AI-fuelled rally, Federal Reserve interest rates and the ongoing US government shutdown.News that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire provided some relief from geopolitical concerns — and weighed on oil prices — while gold retreated the day after hitting an all-tine high above $4,000.Technology firms have been riding to ever-higher levels this year — dragging equity markets with them as companies pump hundreds of billions of dollars into all things linked to AI. But there is a growing concern that the returns might not match the investment sums, leading to warnings that valuations may have gone too far. “AI is clearly a bubble,” warned Neil Wilson at Saxo markets. “The question is when — not if — it blows up. And timing is incredibly hard,” he added.”(Software giant) Oracle had a stab at pricking the bubble yesterday by disclosing that the margins from its AI cloud business — including server rentals using Nvidia chips — are very slim.”Tesla added to the gravity… as it dropped 4.5 percent on (its) lower-priced Model 3/Y reveal that underwhelmed analysts. Third-quarter earnings are still set to be strong, but doubts are being seeded for later.”But while the Oracle report dragged Wall Street on Tuesday, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq bounced back the day after to end at fresh records.And Asia fought to extend the gains, with Tokyo rallying more than one percent on continued optimism about further stimulus following the election of business-friendly Sanae Takaichi as leader of Japan’s ruling party.Shanghai advanced as it reopened after a week-long holiday, while Sydney, Taipei and Manila were also up. Hong Kong dipped along with Singapore, Wellington and Jakarta.The US shutdown was not helping matters, with Republicans and Democrats no closer to reaching a deal to reopen the government as the row goes into a second week. Democrats voted for a sixth time to block a Republican stopgap funding measure to reopen government departments — they refuse to back any funding bill that does not offer an extension of expiring health care subsidies for 24 million people. Minutes from the Fed’s latest rate meeting showed divisions among decision-makers on cutting them, with some agreeing only after being persuaded in discussion over rising prices and a string of weak jobs figures.”Policymakers that are becoming increasingly concerned about downside risks to employment likely favour additional and faster rate cuts going forward,” HSBC’s Ryan Wang said. “Those that are more concerned about upside inflation risks are likely more circumspect about future cuts.”Geopolitical worries were eased after news that Israel and Hamas agreed Thursday to the first phase of a deal to end the Gaza war that has killed tens of thousands and at times fanned worries of a possible Middle East conflict.Donald Trump announced a 20-point peace plan that will see Palestinian militant group Hamas release all hostages while Israel would pull its troops back to an agreed-upon line. Oil prices, which have been elevated by worries over supplies from the region, slipped.Gold, which hit a record of nearly $4,060 an ounce Wednesday — partly on concerns about the crisis in Gaza — was slightly lower.In company news, Hong Kong-listed Hang Seng Bank soared more than 26 percent on reports that HSBC plans to take it private by buying its remaining shares. The deal values the lender at US$37 billion. HSBC tumbled more than six percent.- Key figures at around 0230 GMT -Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 1.4 percent at 48,405.93 (break)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.1 percent at 26,809.57Shanghai – Composite: UP 1.0 percent at 3,921.28Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1646 from $1.1628 on WednesdayPound/dollar: UP at $1.3416 from $1.3401Dollar/yen: DOWN at 152.49 yen from 152.64 yenEuro/pound: UP at 86.81 pence from 86.78 penceWest Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.9 percent at $61.99 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.8 percent at $65.75 per barrelNew York – Dow: FLAT at 46,601.78 London – FTSE 100: UP 0.7 percent at 9,548.87 (close)

Gold topped $4,000 an ounce for the first time Wednesday as investors flocked to the safe haven metal on worries over the US government shutdown, France’s political crisis and other global economic uncertainties.US and European stock markets rose while Asian equities fell as investors also kept tabs on the AI investment boom and the prospect of further US interest rate cuts this year.Gold, considered a safe investment in times of uncertainty, reached an all-time high of nearly $4,060 an ounce Wednesday. Silver also rose close to a record high.”Gold is continuing to glitter, and it is a gift that keeps on giving,” said Fawad Razaqzada, market analyst at City Index and Forex.com.”Markets hate uncertainty, and right now, it’s in no short supply –- although stocks haven’t exactly sold off,” he added.”Instead, it is gold that continues to benefit from haven flows while stock markets continue to find buyers on the dips too,” he added.- US political deadlock -Parts of the US government began to close last week after Democrats and President Donald Trump failed to break a deadlock over spending.Steve Clayton, head of equity funds at Hargreaves Lansdown, noted that the price of gold had doubled over the last two years.While France’s political upheaval has contributed to the gold rush, the Paris stock market rose on Wednesday.President Emmanuel Macron is facing the worst domestic crisis of his mandate following the departure of his latest prime minister over a deadlocked debate on an austerity budget.Frankfurt’s DAX was also higher following mixed economic news.The German government raised its growth forecast for 2025 from zero to 0.2 percent growth, and its 2026 projection from one to 1.3 percent.Earlier, however, official data showed a sharp decline in industrial production in August, particularly in the automotive sector.Back in New York, investors have largely shrugged off the shutdown, viewing the negative impacts as likely to be reversed once the government reopens.But Art Hogan of B. Riley Wealth Management said lingering worries about the shutdown could become more consequential once earnings season gets underway in earnest if companies express caution over their outlook.There “could be a self-fulfilling slowdown in economic growth,” Hogan said.For now, US stocks continue to drift higher. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq ended at records.”Traders seem to consider the shutdown no more than a mild inconvenience due to the postponement of certain economic data releases,” said David Morrison, analyst at Trade Nation.”Instead, investors continue to expect more upside in US equities, supported by ongoing investment in artificial intelligence, along with the prospect of 50 basis-points-worth of rate cuts before the year-end,” he said.Futures markets expect the Fed to cut interest rates later this month.Among individual companies, chip company Advanced Micro Devices piled on 11.4 percent, extending a rally following an announcement of a big deal with OpenAI earlier this week. Fellow semiconductor companies Nvidia and Micron also rose.- Key figures at around 2020 GMT -New York – Dow: FLAT at 46,601.78 New York – S&P 500: UP 0.6 percent to 6,753.72New York – Nasdaq Composite: UP 1.1 percent to 23,043.38 London – FTSE 100: UP 0.7 percent at 9,548.87 (close)Paris – CAC 40: UP 1.1 percent at 8,060.13 (close)Frankfurt – DAX: UP 0.9 percent at 24,497.13 (close)Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.5 percent at 47,734.99 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.5 percent at 26,829.46 (close)Shanghai – Composite: Closed for a holidayEuro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1628 from $1.1657 on TuesdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3401 from $1.3426Dollar/yen: UP at 152.64 yen from 152.70 yenEuro/pound: DOWN at 86.78 pence from 86.93 penceBrent North Sea Crude: UP 1.2 percent at $66.25 per barrelWest Texas Intermediate: UP 1.3 percent at $62.55 per barrel

The global economy is doing better than expected, even as it faces prolonged uncertainty and underwhelming medium-term growth prospects, the head of the IMF said Wednesday. The world economy is doing “better than feared, but worse than we need,” International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told reporters in Washington.She added that the Fund now expects global growth to slow “only slightly this year and next,” propped up by better-than-expected conditions in the United States, and among some other advanced, emerging market and developing countries. Georgieva’s remarks came ahead of next week’s gathering of finance ministers and central bank governors at the World Bank and the IMF in Washington. Trade is once again likely to dominate the agenda at the annual meetings, following US President Donald Trump’s decision earlier this year to unleash sweeping tariffs against many trading partners.- ‘Multiple shocks’ -“All signs point to a world economy that has generally withstood acute strains from multiple shocks,” Georgieva said, pointing to “improved policy fundamentals,” the adaptability of the private sector, lower-than-expected tariffs, and supportive financial conditions. “The world has avoided a tit-for-tat slide into trade war — so far,” she added. She noted that the average US tariff rate has fallen from 23 percent in April to 17.5 percent today, while the US effective tariff rate of around 10 percent remains “far above” the rest of the world.But, she warned, the full effect of those tariffs “is still to unfold,” adding that the resilience of the world economy has yet to be “fully tested.” Against this backdrop, the Fund still expects global growth to remain at roughly three percent over the medium term, in line with previous forecasts — below the 3.7 percent, on average, seen before the Covid-19 pandemic.”Global growth patterns have been changing over the years, notably with China decelerating steadily while India develops into a key growth engine,” Georgieva said. To boost lackluster growth prospects elsewhere, she called on countries to act swiftly to “durably” lift output, rebuild fiscal buffers, and address “excessive” trade imbalances. The Fund’s prescriptions for policymakers differed by region, with Asia urged to deepen its internal trade, and to strengthen the service sector and access to finance. Carried out correctly, this could raise economic output by as much as 1.8 percent in the long run, Georgieva said. African countries should promote “business-friendly reforms” and continue with efforts to build up the Continental Free Trade Area which, she said, could lift their real GDP per capita by “over 10 percent.””Gains from this region can be especially large,” she said. – Tough love for Europe -Georgieva reserved her harshest criticism for Europe, which has struggled with economic growth in recent years, in marked contrast to the United States.To raise competition in the bloc, Georgieva called on the European Union to appoint a new “single market czar” to drive reforms, a move that would simplify the EU’s structure and consolidate the power to make the changes required. These changes include steps to deepen EU single market integration in financial services and energy. “Catch up with the private sector dynamism of the US,” she said, adding that Europe must “recognize that there will be some sacrifices on the way.”For the world’s largest economy, Georgieva urged the Trump administration to address the country’s federal deficit and to take steps to incentivize household savings. And for China, the world’s second-largest economy, Georgieva reiterated the IMF’s ongoing calls for fiscal reforms to boost private consumption and reduce dependence on industrial policy to drive growth.