ASIA/PACIFIC
Asia-Pacific markets closed mixed on Tuesday as investors assessed corporate earnings and reacted to news that the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump plans to ease the impact of auto tariffs. Investors also assessed company earnings. Mainland China’s CSI 300 index slipped 0.17% while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index advanced 0.16%. Japanese markets closed for the Showa Day holiday. Australia’s benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index jumped 0.92% reaching a two-month high amid optimism for improved U.S. trade policies.
EUROPE
European equities closed mostly higher, buoyed by strong corporate earnings despite lingering trade concerns. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index provisionally closed higher by 0.4%, with utilities and healthcare sectors leading the gains. In the UK, the FTSE 100 closed up 0.6% marking its 12th consecutive gain — the best run in five years. France’s CAC 40 and Germany’s DAX were up 0.1% and 0.8% respectively. Investor sentiment remains cautiously optimistic ahead of key inflation data.
AMERICAS
U.S. stock markets closed higher, as investor sentiment was buoyed by stronger-than-expected corporate earnings and optimism over potential tariff relief. The S&P 500 increased by 0.6%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.7%, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.5%. Investors are closely monitoring upcoming economic data for further insights into market direction.
AFRICA
In Egypt, the EGX30 index ticked up 0.1%, supported by a 2.8% surge in Talaat Moustafa Group Holding (TMGH) following news of advanced negotiations for a major mixed-use project in Iraq, projected to generate over $1.5 billion in recurring annual income. In Nigeria, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) called for stronger cross-border cooperation among African markets to enhance financial innovation. Meanwhile, Oluropo Dada, 13th President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), warned that unregistered investments should be treated as Ponzi schemes preying on unsuspecting investors
MIDDLE EAST
Gulf stock markets ended mostly higher, supported by robust earnings and optimism surrounding U.S.-China trade relations. Dubai’s main share index rose 0.5%, with top lender Emirates NBD rising 0.7%. In Abu Dhabi, the index added 0.6%, Saudi Arabia dropped 0.3%, Qatar gained 0.2% and Bahrain was up 0.6%. Oman incresed by 0.1% while Kuwait advanced 0.3%.
COMMODITIES
GOLD
Spot gold dropped 1.2% to $3,300.57/oz as of 9:50 a.m. ET (13:50 GMT), while U.S. gold futures slipped 1.1% to $3,310.20, weighed down by easing trade tensions and anticipation of upcoming U.S. economic data.
OIL
Brent crude fell $1.16 (−1.76%) to $64.70 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) declined $1.01 (−1.63%) to $61.04 a barrel, as persistent trade war concerns cloud the demand outlook.
