The UK’s benchmark FTSE 100 index slipped on Friday, pressured by declines in utilities and mining stocks. The index was also on track to break its three-week winning streak. The FTSE 100 fell 0.1% to 10,581.06 points. In contrast, the midcap FTSE 250 index rose 0.1%, putting it on course for a third consecutive week
US stock futures edged higher on Friday as investors headed into the final session of the week hoping the worst of the Middle East shock may be passing, even if the market is not yet prepared to trade as though the crisis is over. Wall Street has been supported this week by record closes and
We are in the middle of the largest oil supply shock in history. A war is still raging. Consumer confidence is at record lows. But somehow, the S&P 500 is at an all-time high. Seems confusing. In April alone, the S&P 500 is up more than 8%. Most investors are cheering, while others are confused
Global financial markets were jolted by a volatile first quarter shaped by geopolitical tensions, energy shocks and shifting expectations around artificial intelligence — a backdrop that delivered a windfall for Wall Street trading desks while clouding the outlook for broader economic activity. Major US banks reported a sharp rise in trading revenues as clients rushed
Investors are turning their attention to a busy week of corporate earnings, as US stock markets stage a sharp rebound and climb to record levels despite lingering geopolitical concerns. Hopes of easing tensions between the United States and Iran have helped fuel a strong rally in recent weeks. This has pushed major indices to fresh
Systematic hedge funds have ramped up their equity exposure at an unprecedented pace, adding $86 billion worth of stocks over the last five trading sessions, according to a Goldman Sachs note, cited in a Reuters report. The note highlighted that the surge represents one of the largest short-term buying sprees by Commodity Trading Advisors, a
The British pound remained largely stable on Friday, returning to levels seen before the onset of the Iran war, as currency markets showed limited reaction to renewed political pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Sterling held steady against the dollar at $1.35305, reflecting broader rangebound conditions across global currency markets. Traders appeared to overlook calls
US stocks rose on Friday, extending a recent rally, as investors welcomed fresh signs of de-escalation in the Middle East conflict and improving prospects for a ceasefire. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 686 points, or 1.4%, while the S&P 500 advanced 0.77% and the Nasdaq 100 gained 0.73%. Ceasefire hopes lift sentiment Investor sentiment
Shares of Netflix tumbled on Friday after the streaming giant issued weaker-than-expected guidance for the current quarter, overshadowing a strong first-quarter earnings beat and triggering a sharp selloff in premarket trading. The stock fell about 10.53% to $96.44 after the market opened on Friday, even as broader market sentiment improved on easing geopolitical tensions. The
Brent crude oil prices plummeted more than 10% to slip below $90 per barrel on Friday on increasing hopes that the US and Iran would strike a peace deal. Brent crude fell below $90 per barrel for the first time since March 11 as the US and Iran prepared for more talks during the weekend,