Stock Markets Net Chng Stock Markets Net Chng S&P/ASX 200** 7,237.20 1.20 NZX 50** -31.73 11,866.83
DJIA** 33,654.00 77.00 NIKKEI** 27,813.26 -474.16
Nasdaq** 11,996.86 -129.47 FTSE**
7,662.94 28.42
S&P 500** 4,090.38 -10.22 Hang Seng**
20,274.59 -134.59
SPI 200 Fut STI**
7,257 -4.00 3,318.87 7.75
SSEC** KOSPI** 2,495.21 14.70
3,312.5578 16.16
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Bonds Net Chng Bonds Net Chng
JP 10 YR Bond KR 10 YR Bond
0.474 0.001 3.327 0.011
AU 10 YR Bond US 10 YR Bond
3.227 -0.02 3.3089 -0.028
NZ 10 YR Bond US 30 YR Bond
4.04 0 3.5684 -0.026
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Currencies Net Chng Net Chng
SGD US$ KRW US$
1.328 0.0023 1,316.94 6.86
AUD US$ NZD US$
0.67195 -0.00335 0.6313 0.0003
EUR US$ Yen US$
1.0899 -0.0053 131.34 -0.35
THB US$ PHP US$
33.92 -0.12 54.43 0.075
IDR US$ INR US$
14,920 25 81.93 -0.16
MYR US$ TWD US$
4.397 -0.007 30.454 -0.007
CNY US$ HKD US$
6.8751 0.0004 7.8499 0.0006
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Commodities Net Chng Net Chng
Spot Gold Silver (Lon)
2,020.86 0.8898 24.945 -0.07
U.S. Gold Fut 2,035.60 Brent Crude
-0.8 84.74 -0.2
Iron Ore - TRJCRB Index
- - -
TOCOM Rubber JPY209.3 LME Copper
-1.7 8,655 -65
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** indicates closing price
All prices as of 20:26 GMT
EQUITIES GLOBAL - U.S. stocks lost ground on Wednesday and Treasury yields extended their decline as a batch of data fueled worries that restrictive central bank policies could push the global economy into recession. The pan-European STOXX 600 index lost 0.16% and MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe shed 0.51%. For a full report, click on - - - -
NEW YORK - The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq ended lower on Wednesday after a growing wave of weak economic data deepened worries that the Federal Reserve's rapid interest rate hikes might tip the U.S. economy into a recession. According to preliminary data, the S&P 500 lost 10.40 points, or 0.25%, to end at 4,090.20 points, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 129.46 points, or 1.07%, to 11,996.86. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 81.29 points, or 0.24%, to 33,483.67. For a full report, click on - - - -
LONDON - European shares fell on Wednesday as investors maintained a cautious stance after data signalled a slower-than-expected pick-up in the euro zone's economic recovery. The pan-European STOXX 600 index slipped 0.2%, with industrial goods and services dropping 2.1%. For a full report, click on - - - -
TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei share average tumbled on Wednesday to its first loss in four days as a stronger yen and fears of a U.S. recession hit auto and energy stocks. The Nikkei extended declines in the afternoon session to end down 1.68% at 27,813.26, plunging below the psychological 28,000 mark for the first time this month. For a full report, click on - - - -
SHANGHAI - Chinese markets were closed on Wednesday. For a full report, click on - - - -
AUSTRALIA - Australian shares are likely to fall at open on Thursday as a wave of weak economic data in the U.S. fuels worries that the U.S. Federal Reserve's rapid interest rate hikes might tip the world's largest economy into a recession. The local share price index futures fell 0.1%, a 18-point premium to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index close. The benchmark finished 0.02% higher at 7,237.20-points on Wednesday. For a full report, click on - - - -
SEOUL - South Korean shares rose to their highest in more than seven months on Wednesday, with battery makers leading the gains.
The benchmark KOSPI ended up 14.70 points, or 0.59%, at 2,495.21, marking the highest close since Aug. 18, 2022. For a full report, click on - - - -
FOREIGN EXCHANGE NEW YORK - The dollar advanced on Wednesday, recovering from two-month lows hit the previous session, as investors lightened their short positions to book profits ahead of the all-important U.S. non-farm payrolls report on Friday. In afternoon trading, the dollar index rose 0.4% to 101.87 , led by gains against the euro, which fell 0.5% to $1.0906 . For a full report, click on - - - -
CHINA - Chinese markets were closed on Wednesday. For a full report, click on - - - -
AUSTRALIA - New Zealand's dollar jumped on Wednesday after an unexpectedly big interest rate hike by its central bank, while the Australian dollar gave up earlier gains after the Reserve Bank of Australia hit the pause button on rate hikes - for now. The kiwi rallied as much as 1.1% to $0.6383, before retreating a little to $0.6347, as markets shifted focus to the bank's dovish forward guidance after the rate hike shock. Resistance now lies at $0.6390, while support is at $0.6270. For a full report, click on - - - -
SEOUL - The Korean won strengthened on Wednesday, while the benchmark bond yield was little changed. The won ended onshore trade at 1,310.5 per dollar, 0.40% higher than its previous close at 1,315.8. For a full report, click on - - - -
TREASURIES
NEW YORK - Treasuries yields slid further on Wednesday after reports on private payrolls and the U.S. services sector pointed to a cooling economy and added to market speculation that the Federal Reserve might pause its hiking of interest rates in May. The two-year Treasury yield, which typically moves in step with interest rate expectations, was down 4.6 basis points to 3.788% after plunging to 3.646% when the services sector data was released. For a full report, click on - - - -
LONDON - Euro zone government bond yields fell on Wednesday after more soft U.S. data suggested the Federal Reserve's fight against inflation is starting to take hold, allowing the central bank to loosen its grip on monetary policy. Germany's 10-year government bond yield , the bloc's benchmark, was down 9 basis points (bps) at 2.174%. Its 2-year bond yield , the most sensitive to expectations for policy rates, was down 12 bps at 2.509%. For a full report, click on - - - -
TOKYO - Japanese government bond futures ticked higher on Wednesday, taking cues from a U.S. bond rally overnight, but cash JGBs were mixed with superlong bonds underperforming other tenors ahead of an auction of 30-year securities. The 10-year cash JGB yield fell 0.5 basis point (bp) to 0.465%, after starting the day down at 0.455%. For a full report, click on COMMODITIES
GOLD Safe-haven gold touched its highest in one year on Wednesday as recent U.S. economic data fanned fears of a slowdown and spurred bets the Federal Reserve may ease up on rate hikes. Spot gold was steady at $2,020.30 per ounce by 01:46 p.m. EDT (1746 GMT), after rising to its highest since March 2022 at $2,031.89 earlier. U.S. gold futures settled 0.1% lower at $2,035.60. For a full report, click on - - - -
IRON ORE
Both the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) and the Shanghai Futures Exchange (ShFE) will be closed on Wednesday April 5 for the one-day Tomb Sweeping Day holiday in China. For a full report, click on - - - -
BASE METALS
Copper prices in London rose on Wednesday due to support from lower inventories and despite continuing concerns about global economic growth and a stronger dollar. Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) rose 0.5% to $8,790 a tonne by 1606 GMT, after earlier hitting $8,665, its lowest in two weeks. For a full report, click on - - - -
OIL
Oil prices settled largely unchanged on Wednesday, despite greater-than-expected draws in U.S. crude and fuel stockpiles, as the market weighed worsening economic prospects against expectations of U.S. crude inventory declines and plans by OPEC+ producers to reduce output. Brent crude futures settled up 5 cents, or 0.1%, at $84.99 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude ended 10 cents, or 0.1%, lower at $80.61 a barrel. For a full report, click on - - - -
PALM OIL
Malaysian palm oil futures slipped more than 2% on Wednesday, ending a sharp two-day climb, although a forecast of shrinking stockpiles limited the losses. The benchmark palm oil contract for June delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange closed down 100 ringgit, or 2.52%, to 3,866 ringgit ($879.24) a tonne. For a full report, click on - - - -
RUBBER
Japanese rubber futures inched higher on Wednesday, lifted by stronger crude prices, although traders remain cautious amid a slowing global economy. Osaka Exchange's rubber contract for September delivery , finished 0.5 yen, or 0.2%, higher at 211.0 yen ($1.61) per kg. For a full report, click on - - - - (Bengaluru Bureau; +91 80 6749 1130)
