Stocks
Asian Stocks Retreat on Middle East Concerns and Fed Rate Cut Uncertainty
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Asian stocks edged lower on Tuesday as concerns over the situation in the Middle East overshadowed expectations for an early Federal Reserve interest rate cut. The absence of trading catalysts due to a holiday in Wall Street limited buying activity, and analysts cautioned that optimism about substantial monetary policy loosening by the US central bank might be excessive. Equities had surged at the end of 2023 amid signs of decreasing inflation and a softening job market, fueling speculation of a Fed rate cut. However, recent developments, including strong employment data and higher-than-expected consumer prices, have tempered those expectations.
Market pricing indicates anticipation of nearly seven rate cuts in 2024, reflecting the belief that disinflation is firmly entrenched. Analysts, such as Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management, questioned whether the market is now overestimating the Fed’s readiness to implement rate cuts over the next 12 months. While inflation is generally trending downward, concerns persist that it could resurface, especially amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Recent US and UK strikes against Yemen’s Huthis, in response to attacks on Red Sea shipping, have heightened geopolitical tensions, with fears of potential retaliation. Despite initial upward movement, oil prices remain subdued due to global economic struggles, particularly in China. Investors are now awaiting key US data releases on retail sales, industrial production, and jobs later in the week.
Most Asian markets experienced declines, with Tokyo seeing a small drop after six consecutive gains that lifted the Nikkei to a 34-year high. Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Wellington, Taipei, and Manila also reported losses. The weak performance follows European losses tied to Germany’s slight economic contraction in 2023, attributed to factors such as costly energy, high-interest rates, and weakening foreign demand.
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Stocks
Weekly U.S. Stock Market Reports Diverse Performance
![U.S. Stock](https://en.orthosongbad.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/7xm.xyz120015.jpg)
Reviewing the U.S. Stock Markets, the Nasdaq Composite, recorded a decent loss of 1,023 points, reaching a closing value of 16,690 points by the end of the week. Similarly, the S&P 500 index showed a positive trend, losing 240 points to settle at 5,408 points. Meanwhile, DJIA Index experienced a notable hike, adding 1,218 points during the week and concluding at 40,345 points after a week of gaining.
In contrast, Russell 3000 Index saw a loss in week performance, with a slight drop of 141 point to reach 3,077 points by the end of the week.
Moving to Russell 2000 Index, demonstrated a notable lost of 126 points, ending the week at 2,091 points.
Stocks
European Stock Weekly Review Highlights Mixed Trend
![stock European](https://en.orthosongbad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fsdfsdf.webp)
In the Outgoing week, the European stock market displayed a mixed performance.
Here is the data on the weekly performance of the European Stock Market, The STOXX Europe 600 index, which is considered a leading benchmark for the European market and covers approximately 90 percent of the market capitalization across 17 countries, reported a loss of 18.49 points to close at 506.56.
The United Kingdom’s FTSE 100, one of the most widely followed indices in Europe, also showed a significant drop, losing 195 points or finishing the session at 8,181.
In Germany, the DAX 30 index, added by 605 points to reach 18,301, while France’s CAC 40 decreased by 278 points to stop at 7,352 at the end of the trading day.
Italy’s FTSE MIB, which covers the top 40 stocks traded on the Milan Stock Exchange, decreased by 1,081 points to 33,291. However, Spain’s IBEX 35, lost by 228 points, to close at 11,173.
Stocks
Weekly South Asian Stock reports Varied Performance
![south asian stock](https://en.orthosongbad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/New-Project-4.jpg)
A review of South Asian stock markets shows that India’s Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) index BSE Sensex has lost 1,182 points during the week. At the end of the week, the index stood at 82,365 points. On the other hand, the Nifty-50 index of the country’s National Stock Exchange dropped by 383 points last week. At the end of the week, the index stood at 24,852 points.
Pakistan Stock Exchange Index ‘KSE 100’, added 459 points last week. After a week of losing, the index settled at 79,002 points.
On the other hand, The Sri Lankan stock market index loss, and the Colombo Stock Exchange index ‘ASPI’ decreased by 94 points in a week. After a week the index settled at 10,775 points.
Bhutan’s stock market index ‘BSI’ dropped by 9 points hence the index stood at 1,500 points throughout the whole week. Nepal’s ‘NEPSE’ lost 22 points, therefore the index stands at 2,727 points.
Hence Dhaka Stock Exchange: The benchmark index ‘DSEX’ lost by 75.77 points or 1.31 percent, in the outgoing week. At the end of the week, the index stands at 5,728 points.