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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)

European stock markets rose while Wall Street mostly retreated Tuesday as investors warily eyed signs of progress in talks to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.Markets were also waiting for a key speech by the US Federal Reserve chief this week for clues on interest rate cuts that could bolster the world’s biggest economy.Hopes for a Ukraine breakthrough rose after US President Donald Trump said he spoke by phone with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders at the White House.Zelensky said he was ready for what would be his first face-to-face talks with Putin since Russia’s invasion nearly three and a half years ago.Wall Street mostly pulled back, with the Nasdaq tumbling 1.5 percent and S&P 500 losing 0.6 percent. The Dow closed flat.London, Paris and Frankfurt stocks all closed higher following a lackluster session for Asian stock markets.Defense stocks fell sharply as chances grew for a breakthrough in Ukraine peace talks, with Germany’s Rheinmetall dropping 4.7 percent and France’s Thales down 4.1 percent.Investors were also eagerly awaiting a speech on Friday by Fed 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.”Markets seem to be exercising some caution ahead of the Jackson Hole meeting later this week and as talks over a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine remain inconclusive,” said AJ Bell’s head of financial analysis Danni Hewson.Oil prices, which have been volatile for several days — Russia is a major crude producer — retreated after gains on Monday.”Oil prices have dropped a little as a deal edges closer, given that it’s likely to lead to an easing of sanctions on Russia energy imports, increasing supplies on global markets,” said Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown.Japan’s Nikkei briefly hit a record before retreating to close down 0.4 percent.Shanghai ended flat while Hong Kong, Sydney and Seoul fell, and Singapore, Bangkok and Mumbai edged up.Among individual companies, Intel shares advanced around 7.0 percent in New York after Japan-based tech investment giant SoftBank said it would invest $2 billion in the troubled US chip giant.White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Tuesday that the US Commerce Department was “ironing out the details” on a deal with the company, as the government seeks a stake in Intel in exchange for grants.- Key figures at around 2155 GMT -New York – Dow: FLAT at 44,922.27 points (close)New York – S&P 500: DOWN 0.6 percent at 6,411.37 (close)New York – Nasdaq: DOWN 1.5 percent at 21,314.95 (close)London – FTSE 100: UP 0.3 percent at 9,189.22 (close)Paris – CAC 40: UP 1.2 percent at 7,979.08 (close)Frankfurt – DAX: UP 0.5 percent at 24,423.07 (close)Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.4 percent at 43,546.29 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.2 percent at 25,122.90 (close)Shanghai – Composite: FLAT at 3,727.29 (close)Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1646 from $1.1666 on MondayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3489 from $1.3503Dollar/yen: DOWN at 147.64 yen from 147.89 yen  Euro/pound: DOWN at 86.33 pence from 86.40 penceWest Texas Intermediate: DOWN 1.7 percent at $62.35 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: DOWN 1.2 percent at $65.79 per barrel

Global stock markets traded cautiously and oil prices fell on Tuesday as investors eyed signs of progress in talks to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.Hopes for a breakthrough rose after US President Donald Trump said he spoke by phone with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin after hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders at the White House.Zelensky said he was ready for what would be his first face-to-face talks with Putin since Russia’s invasion nearly three and a half years ago.London, Paris and Frankfurt stocks all advanced, following a lacklustre session for Asian stock markets.European defence stocks, however, fell on optimism for a breakthrough in peace talks.Investors were also eagerly awaiting a speech later this week by US Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell at the annual retreat of global central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.Traders hope Powell will provide more clues about a possible Fed interest-rate cut when it meets next month, after data last week provided a mixed picture about inflation.”Markets seem to be exercising some caution ahead of the Jackson Hole meeting later this week and as talks over a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine remain inconclusive,” said AJ Bell head of financial analysis Danni Hewson.Oil prices, which have been volatile for several days — Russia is a major crude producer — fell around one percent after gains on Monday.”Oil prices have dropped a little as a deal edges closer, given that it’s likely to lead to an easing of sanctions on Russia energy imports, increasing supplies on global markets,” said Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown.Japan’s Nikkei briefly hit a fresh intraday record before retreating to close down 0.4 percent.Shanghai ended flat, while Hong Kong, Sydney and Seoul retreated and Singapore, Bangkok and Mumbai edged up.SoftBank shares fell four percent after the Japan-based tech investment giant said it would invest $2 billion in Intel, as the US government reportedly considers taking a 10-percent stake in the troubled US chip giant.- Key figures at around 1040 GMT -London – FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 9,178.27 pointsParis – CAC 40: UP 0.7 percent at 7,940.33Frankfurt – DAX: UP 0.2 percent at 24,368.64Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.4 percent at 43,546.29 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.2 percent at 25,122.90 (close)Shanghai – Composite: FLAT at 3,727.29 (close)New York – Dow: UP 0.1 percent at 44,946.12 (close)Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1688 from $1.1666 on MondayPound/dollar: UP at $1.3525 from $1.3503Dollar/yen: DOWN at 147.68 yen from 147.89 yen  Euro/pound: UP at 86.41 pence from 86.40 penceWest Texas Intermediate: DOWN 1.3 percent at $62.62 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: DOWN 1.1 percent at $65.84 per barrel

Stock markets traded in a narrow range Tuesday and oil prices dipped after US President Donald Trump held what he called “very good” talks with Ukrainian and European leaders on ending the war.Hopes for a breakthrough rose after Trump said he spoke by phone with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin after hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and others at the White House.”At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelensky,” Trump said.Zelensky said he was ready for what would be his first face-to-face talks with Putin since Russia’s invasion nearly three and a half years ago.Oil prices, which have been volatile for several days — Russia is a major crude producer — fell back after gains on Monday.In Asia and Europe equity investors largely stayed on the sidelines after Wall Street treaded water on Monday.Japan’s Nikkei briefly hit a fresh intraday record before retreating to close down 0.4 percent.Shanghai ended flat, while Hong Kong, Sydney and Seoul retreated and Singapore, Bangkok and Mumbai edged up.In Europe, London and Paris inched up, while Frankfurt was modestly lower.SoftBank shares fell four percent after the Japan-based tech investment giant said it would invest $2 billion in Intel, as the US government reportedly considers taking a 10-percent stake in the troubled US chip giant.Fresh impetus for investors could come from a speech this week by US Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell at the annual retreat of global central bankers in Jackson Hole.Markets hope Powell will provide more clues about Fed plans for interest rates when it meets next month, after data last week provided a mixed picture about inflation.”Even a nod to easing (by Powell) could be enough to trigger profit-taking, and a hint of caution could set off a scramble for the exits,” Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management said.- Key figures at around 0830 GMT -Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.4 percent at 43,546.29 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.2 percent at 25,122.90 (close)Shanghai – Composite: FLAT at 3,727.29 (close)New York – Dow: UP 0.1 percent at 44,946.12 (close)London – FTSE 100: UP 0.1 percent at 9,166.54Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1678 from $1.1666 on MondayPound/dollar: UP at $1.3521 from $1.3503Dollar/yen: DOWN at 147.65 yen from 147.89 yen  Euro/pound: DOWN at 86.37 pence from 86.40 penceWest Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.6 percent at $63.02 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.7 percent at $66.12 per barrel

Asian markets were little changed Tuesday after Wall Street treaded water and US President Donald Trump held what he called “very good” talks with Ukrainian and European leaders on ending the three-year war.Hopes for a breakthrough rose after Trump said he spoke by phone with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin — whom he met in Alaska last week — after hosting the Europeans and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.”At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelensky,” Trump said.Oil prices, which have been volatile for several days — Russia is a major crude producer — fell back after gains on Monday.Tokyo, Sydney and Seoul were down slightly, while Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore were in the green.SoftBank shares fell two percent after it said it would invest $2 billion in Intel, as the US government reportedly considers taking a 10-percent stake in the troubled US chip giant.Fresh impetus for investors could come from a speech this week by US Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell at the annual retreat of global central bankers in Jackson Hole.Markets hope Powell will provide more clues about Fed plans for interest rates when it meets next month, after data last week provided a mixed picture about inflation.”Even a nod to easing (by Powell) could be enough to trigger profit-taking, and a hint of caution could set off a scramble for the exits,” Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management said.- Key figures at around 0300 GMT -Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.1 percent at 43,652.32Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 0.1 percent at 25,195.36Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.2 percent at 3,733.74New York – Dow: UP 0.1 percent at 44,946.12 (close)London – FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 9,157.74 (close)Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1652 from $1.1666 on MondayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3498 from $1.3503 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 147.78 yen from 147.89 yen  Euro/pound: DOWN at 86.33 pence from 86.40 pence West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.5 percent at $63.12 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.3 percent at $66.32 per barrel

Australian mining giant BHP on Tuesday reported a bump in yearly profits, as China’s appetite for copper helped to counter slumping prices for iron ore and coal. Chief executive Mike Henry trumpeted a strong year “marked by record production”, with annual net profits rising 14 percent to US$9 billion. But annual results also laid bare the challenging market conditions facing the world’s largest mining company. Revenues dropped 8 percent to US$51 billion, while underlying profits — which can paint a more accurate picture of performance — fell 26 percent to US$10.2 billion. The company said falling revenues were “primarily due to the decline in iron ore and coal prices”. This had been partially rescued by China’s higher-than-expected demand for copper, the company said, a critical mineral used in consumer electronics, rechargeable batteries and power lines. “Against a backdrop of global uncertainty this strong performance has led to robust financial outcomes and reflects the resilience of BHP’s business and strategy,” said Henry. “We remain confident in the long-term fundamentals of steelmaking materials, copper and fertilisers, which are critical to global growth, urbanisation and the energy transition.”

Shares in Europe largely dipped Monday while Wall Street treaded water, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders met with US President Donald Trump in Washington on ending the war with Russia.In New York, the broad-based S&P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq closed flat, while the blue-chip Dow edged down slightly.European indices also lost ground, except London’s FTSE which ticked up modestly.Oil prices nudged higher as traders weighed the impact of the talks and what they could mean for sanctions-hit Russia, a major producer of crude oil.The Washington gathering is a follow-up to Trump’s summit last week with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, which failed to produce a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. It has been more than three years since Russia’s invasion.Zelensky, under pressure from Trump to give up Crimea and abandon Ukraine’s NATO ambitions, said ahead of the gathering that Russia “should not be rewarded” for its war. He also said US security guarantees were “the most important” thing.”Friday’s US-Russia meeting turned out to be a non-event, although financial markets are trading as if there might still be a path — however uncertain — towards an eventual peace,” said Fawad Razaqzada, market analyst for trading platform FOREX.com.Investors are also focused on a speech this week by US Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell at the annual retreat of global central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.Markets hope Powell will provide more clues about Fed plans for interest rates when it meets next month, after data last week provided a mixed picture about inflation.Consumer inflation remained steady last month, but producer prices accelerated.”The lack of progress at Friday’s Alaska summit, the upcoming Zelensky-Trump meeting in Washington, and the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium all remain potential catalysts for market swings,” said David Morrison, senior market analyst at Trade Nation.Traders will also be eyeing a series of US retailers’ financial results expected this week, for signs of how Trump’s sweeping tariffs are impacting businesses and consumers.In Asia, Shanghai, Sydney and Taipei were higher Monday, while Hong Kong, Seoul and Jakarta fell back.Japan’s Nikkei ended up, posting a new record high and adding to gains on Friday after better-than-expected economic growth data.- Key figures at around 2020 GMT -New York – Dow: DOWN 0.1 percent at 44,911.82 points (close)New York – S&P 500: FLAT at 6,449.15 (close) New York – Nasdaq: FLAT at 21,629.77 (close)London – FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 9,157.74 (close)Paris – CAC 40: DOWN 0.5 percent at 7,884.05 (close)Frankfurt – DAX: DOWN 0.2 percent at 24,314.77 (close)Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 0.8 percent at 43,714.31 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.4 percent at 25,176.85 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.9 percent at 3,728.03 (close)Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1666 from $1.1704 on FridayPound/dollar: DOWN $1.3503 at from $1.3557Dollar/yen: UP at 147.89 yen from 146.85 yen Euro/pound: UP at 86.40 pence from 86.34 pence Brent North Sea Crude: UP 1.1 percent at $66.60 per barrelWest Texas Intermediate: UP 1.0 percent at $63.42 per barrelburs/rmb/tw/bys/des

US and European shares largely dipped on Monday, ahead of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington.In New York, the broad-based S&P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq fell slightly, while the blue-chip Dow was flat. European indices also lost ground, except London’s FTSE which ticked up modestly.Oil prices nudged higher as traders weighed the impact of the talks and what they could mean for sanctions-hit Russia, a major producer of crude oil.The Washington gathering is a follow-up to Trump’s summit last week with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, which failed to produce a ceasefire in the Ukraine war.Zelensky, under pressure from Trump to give up Crimea and abandon Ukraine’s NATO ambitions, said ahead of the gathering that Russia “should not be rewarded” for its war. He also said US security guarantees were “the most important” thing.”Friday’s US-Russia meeting turned out to be a non-event, although financial markets are trading as if there might still be a path — however uncertain — towards an eventual peace,” said Fawad Razaqzada, market analyst for trading platform FOREX.com.Investors are also focused on a speech this week by US Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell at the annual retreat of global central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.Markets hope Powell will provide more clues about Fed plans for interest rates when it meets next month, after data last week provided a mixed picture about inflation.Consumer inflation remained steady last month, but producer prices accelerated.”The lack of progress at Friday’s Alaska summit, the upcoming Zelensky-Trump meeting in Washington, and the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium all remain potential catalysts for market swings,” said David Morrison, senior market analyst at Trade Nation.In Asia, Shanghai, Sydney and Taipei were higher Monday, while Hong Kong, Seoul and Jakarta fell back.Japan’s Nikkei ended up, posting a new record high and adding to gains on Friday after better-than-expected economic growth data.- Key figures at around 1535 GMT -New York – Dow: FLAT at 44,932.61 pointsNew York – S&P 500: DOWN 0.1 percent at 6,443.34 New York – Nasdaq: DOWN 0.2 percent at 21,579.61London – FTSE 100: UP 0.1 percent at 9,151.13 (close)Paris – CAC 40: DOWN 0.6 percent at 7,878.99 (close)Frankfurt – DAX: DOWN 0.2 percent at 24,302.27 (close)Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 0.8 percent at 43,714.31 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.4 percent at 25,176.85 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.9 percent at 3,728.03 (close)Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1670 from $1.1704 on FridayPound/dollar: DOWN $1.3519 at from $1.3557Dollar/yen: UP at 147.88 yen from 146.85 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 86.32 pence from 86.34 pence Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.4 percent at $66.13 per barrelWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.5 percent at $62.27 per barrelburs/rmb/tw

Stock markets diverged Monday ahead of talks between US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.The talks are a follow-up summit to Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, which failed to produce a ceasefire.Zelensky, who is under pressure from Trump to give up Crimea and abandon its NATO ambitions, said ahead of the gathering in Washington that Russia “should not be rewarded” for its war.London, Paris and Frankfurt stock markets were all lower in midday trading on Monday.”The focus is still on Ukraine this morning, as the world reacts to the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska last Friday,” said Jim Reid, managing director at Deutsche Bank. Oil prices fluctuated as investors weighed the impact of talks between Trump and Zelensky on Russia, a major crude producer.”With less talk of tougher sanctions on Russia, oil prices dropped back as supply concerns faded,” said Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown.”But amid the ongoing uncertainty Brent crude has begun creeping higher,” she added.This week, investor eyes will also be on any clues on US interest rates at the Federal Reserve’s annual retreat at Jackson Hole, Wyoming.The Fed chair’s speech at the retreat has “often been used to send important policy signals”, Reid noted.In Asia, Shanghai, Sydney and Taipei were higher Monday, while Hong Kong, Seoul and Jakarta fell back.Japan’s Nikkei ended up, posting a new record high and adding to gains on Friday after better-than-expected economic growth data.Thailand’s economy also grew by 2.8 percent in the second quarter, the country’s economic planning agency said on Monday, boosted by strong exports ahead of US tariffs taking full effect.Before the Alaska talks, US stocks wavered on Friday after mixed economic data, with retail sales up but an industrial production index and a consumer survey both down.- Key figures at around 1045 GMT -London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.1 percent at 9,130.31 pointsParis – CAC 40: DOWN 0.8 percent at 7,860.63Frankfurt – DAX: DOWN 0.3 percent at 24,276.28Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 0.8 percent at 43,714.31 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.4 percent at 25,176.85 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.9 percent at 3,728.03 (close)New York – Dow: UP 0.1 percent at 44,946.12 (close)Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1683 from $1.1704 on FridayPound/dollar: DOWN $1.3545 at from $1.3557Dollar/yen: UP at 147.41 yen from 146.85 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 86.24 pence from 86.34 pence West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.4 percent at $63.07 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.3 percent at $66.33 per barrelburs-ajb/lth