ASIA/PACIFIC
Asian markets closed mostly higher on Friday, buoyed by reports that the United States is softening its tariff rhetoric and that China may waive its 125% tariff on certain U.S. goods, according to Bloomberg.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 surged 1.9%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index edged up 0.3%. Mainland China’s CSI 300 finished flat, closing at 3,786.99. Australian markets were closed for a public holiday.
EUROPE
European stocks ended higher, as investors focused on corporate earnings and global trade optimism. Germany and France posted gains for the fourth consecutive session, while the U.K. extended its winning streak to ten sessions. The pan-European Stoxx 600 climbed 0.32%. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 edged up 0.11%, while Germany’s DAX rose 0.65% and France’s CAC 40 added 0.43%.
AMERICAS
U.S. stock markets extended their rally, with major indexes closing higher for a fourth straight session, supported by strong performances in the technology sector. The S&P 500 rose 0.7%, the Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.3%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average inched up 0.1%. Leading tech giants including Nvidia, Meta, Amazon, Tesla, and Microsoft all advanced, driving major averages to their third consecutive day of robust gains.
AFRICA
In Nigeria, the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) posted a net market capitalization loss of N25.27 billion in the first quarter of 2025, primarily due to the delisting of four companies. Nigerian banks had a blockbuster year in 2024, capitalizing on a high-interest-rate environment. An analysis of ten publicly listed banks on the NGX revealed that a staggering N8.41 trillion was generated from interest earned on customer loans.
MIDDLE EAST
Stock markets in the United Arab Emirates ended lower on Friday, tracking declines in oil prices as oversupply concerns and uncertainty over U.S.-China tariff negotiations weighed on investor sentiment.
The Abu Dhabi index fell 0.4% to 9,392 points, while Dubai’s index lost 0.6% to close at 5,163 points. Separately, concerns emerged in the UAE insurance sector, as several listed insurers fell below solvency requirements, according to Emir Mujkic, S&P’s Director of Financial Services and Insurance Ratings. Meanwhile, the ADNOC Group announced that its publicly listed portfolio companies have endorsed over $6.7 billion (AED 24.6 billion) in annual dividend payments for 2024, reflecting robust financial performance and a commitment to delivering shareholder value.
COMMODITIES
GOLD
Spot gold declined 1.7% to $3,290.43 an ounce as of 3:17 p.m., while U.S. gold futures slipped 1.6% to $3,299.00, amid easing concerns over U.S.-China trade tensions.
OIL
Oil prices edged higher despite oversupply worries. Brent crude futures rose 32 cents to close at $66.87 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 23 cents to settle at $63.02 a barrel, supported by trade optimism and fluctuating supply concerns.
