ASIA/PACIFIC
Asia-Pacific markets were divided as investors digested regional economic indicators and anticipated policy decisions. The Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.2% while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added 0.5%. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 increased by 0.57% as investors looked ahead to Thursday’s BOJ rate decision. Australia’s benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index advanced 0.7%.
EUROPE
European equities finished broadly higher, showing resilience in the face of weaker U.S. data. Preliminary figures showed the Eurozone economy grew 0.4% in Q1 2025, doubling its previous quarter pace. The pan European Stoxx 600 gained 0.46%. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 and Germany’s DAX climbed 0.37% and 0.32%, respectively. France’s CAC 40 closed higher by 0.5%.
AMERICAS
The U.S. stock market experienced a volatile session but managed to close with mixed results. The S&P 500 increased by 0.1%, marking its seventh consecutive daily gain, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.3% and the Nasdaq Composite slightly declined by 0.1%. A report indicated a 0.3% contraction in the U.S. GDP for the first quarter of 2025, raising concerns about a potential recession.
AFRICA
Egypt’s blue-chip index added 0.3%. In West Africa, mining industry leaders encouraged joint ventures and dual stock listings to navigate regulatory complexity, according to remarks by Adama Soro, President of the West African Federation of Chambers of Mines.
MIDDLE EAST
Most stock markets in the Gulf ended higher ahead of key earnings releases, with Dubai and Qatar leading the advance. Dubai’s main share index advanced 1.3% while the Qatari index also finished 1.3% higher, with the Gulf’s biggest lender, Qatar National Bank, gaining 2.1%. Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index, however, dropped 0.6%. A McKinsey & Company report noted that corporate and investment banking revenues in the GCC have reached $55–65 billion, following 14% annual growth from 2021 to 2024.
COMMODITIES
GOLD
Gold: Spot gold slipped 0.2% to $3,308.52/oz, while U.S. futures dropped 0.5% to $3,318.50, as investors bet on rate cuts after weak U.S. data.
OIL
Brent crude futures were down $1.14, or 1.77%, at $63.11 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate
crude futures dropped $2.20, also 3.64%, to $58.22. Crude prices are on track for their biggest monthly drop since 2021 amid global demand concerns and stockpile increases.
