Global equity markets presented a mixed picture on
Thursday following a strong rebound on Wall Street. The rally came after former
President Trump announced a one-month exemption on auto imports under the
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), easing investor concerns over
potential trade disruptions. While this policy shift provided short-term
relief, global indexes remain divided as markets digest broader economic
signals.
Wall Street Recap: Tech Stocks in Focus
US stocks saw gains on Wednesday, but
not all major tech players followed suit. Apple shares slipped 0.08%,
underperforming the broader market despite Goldman Sachs reaffirming its
"Buy" rating with a price target of $294. On the other hand, Alphabet
shares surged 1.38% following reports that Google is lobbying the US Justice
Department to drop its antitrust case over its online search dominance. The
tech giant argues that breaking up its search business could pose a national
security risk.
Forex Market Update
Currency markets showed modest
fluctuations:
- EUR/USD: +0.1%
- GBP/USD: +0.1%
- USD/JPY: -0.2%
- AUD/USD: +0.1%
Stock Market Overview
Global equity indexes reflected mixed
sentiment:
- Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI): -0.4%
- Nikkei 225 (NIKKEI): -0.5%
- Hang Seng Index (HK50): +1.8%
- ASX 200 (AU200): -0.7%
Commodity Market Performance
Commodities remained largely flat,
with Brent crude and oil prices dipping slightly:
- Brent Crude (#C-BRENT): -0.1%
- Oil (OIL): -0.1%
Gold Market Update
Safe-haven demand for gold remained
subdued:
- Gold (XAU/USD): -0.1%
Key Takeaways
- US Market Optimism: Wall
Street’s rebound was driven by trade policy relief, but global markets
remain uncertain.
- Tech Sector Developments:
Alphabet’s legal battles could shape the future of online search, while
Apple faces investor scrutiny.
- Currency and Commodities:
Stability in forex and commodity markets suggests investors are waiting
for clearer economic signals.
As global economic conditions
continue to shift, investors should stay vigilant and assess how policy
decisions impact financial markets in the long run.