Analysis: Indices

Japan, US to ink tech MOU during Trump's Tokyo visit, Nikkei says

TOKYO -Japan and the U.S. are set to sign an agreement to cooperate on advanced technologies, including AI and nuclear fusion, during President Donald Trump's Japan visit next week, the Nikkei...

South African rand holds steady as investors await FATF verdict

JOHANNESBURG -The rand held steady in early trade on Friday as South Africa awaited the outcome of its Financial Action Task Force review, with markets largely pricing in that it will be removed from...

India demand cools after festive rush; price fall propels buying elsewhere

Physical gold demand in India ticked lower this week as buyers held back purchases, anticipating a deeper price correction, while a pullback in rates sparked buying interest in China and Singapore. ...

India's stock benchmarks open higher on earnings, trade optimism

India's stock benchmarks opened marginally higher on Friday, as hopes of global trade tensions lowering and a potential rebound in domestic corporate earnings aided sentiment. The Nifty...

Stocks climb, US benchmark Treasury yields briefly fall after US inflation data

NEW YORK/PARIS -Major stock indexes rose, with U.S. stocks hitting record highs, and benchmark U.S. Treasury yields briefly fell on Friday as data showed U.S. inflation rose less than expected last...

OPEC ready to raise oil output if required after US sanctions on Russia, Kuwaiti minister says

KUWAIT -OPEC is ready to raise production by rolling back its oil output cuts further if required to address market shortfalls after the United States imposed new sanctions on Russian oil majors,...

Freeport-McMoRan profit beats as higher copper prices offset Grasberg troubles

Freeport-McMoRan posted a better-than-expected third-quarter profit on Thursday, as higher copper prices offset lower production after the company suspended operations at its flagship Grasberg mine...

World Diamond Council head says lab-grown gems losing their sparkle

LUANDA -Lab-grown diamonds are losing their appeal due to oversupply and consumer preferences are starting to shift back to natural stones, World Diamond Council President Feriel Zerouki has said. ...

Gold gains as geopolitical risks, trade tensions burnish appeal

Gold prices rose on Thursday, as U.S. sanctions against Russia and possible new export controls on China added to geopolitical risks, buoying demand for safe-haven assets. Spot gold was...

South African rand muted as traders eye possible 'grey' list exit

JOHANNESBURG -The rand was flat in early trade on Thursday, as cautious investors awaited news on South Africa's possible removal from the Financial Action Task Force's grey list, along with key U.S....

South Africa's Clicks Group reports 14% rise in annual profit

JOHANNEBSURG -Clicks Group, South Africa's biggest pharmacy chain, said on Thursday that its full-year profit grew 14.1%, supported by improved trading margins and robust sales. The...

Foreign investors pile into Japan stocks ahead of historic PM vote

Foreigners channelled investments into Japanese stocks for a third consecutive week ended October 18 in anticipation of a victory for fiscal dove Sanae Takaichi at the parliamentary vote to become...

US hits top Russian oil companies with sanctions, EU bans Russian LNG

WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS -U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed Ukraine-related sanctions on Russia for the first time in his second term, targeting oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft as his...

Exxon inks agreement with Gabon to explore for oil and gas

HOUSTON -Exxon Mobil said on Wednesday it signed an agreement with the government of Gabon to explore for oil and gas off the coast of the central African country.  The memorandum of...

Angola's first major copper mine to start production next week

LUANDA -Angola's first major copper mine, Tetelo, will start production on October 29, officials said on Wednesday, part of the oil-rich African country's efforts to diversify into clean energy...

Russia says its assumes that new gold producer UGC owner will buy out small investors

MOSCOW -A Russian government official said on Wednesday that Moscow assumed that the new owner of gold producer UGC would have to conduct a buyout of minority shareholders after the central bank...

Trump says he expects to reach deal with China on trade, soybeans, possibly nuclear arms

WASHINGTON -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he expected to reach agreements with Chinese President Xi Jinping when they meet in South Korea next week that could range from resumed...

South Africa inflation edges up but economists see more rate cuts soon

JOHANNESBURG -South Africa's headline inflation rate edged up in September, but the increase was smaller than expected and economists said they thought the central bank could restart interest rate...

European utilities set for longest winning streak since 1998

MILAN -European utilities stocks extended this month's rally into a 14th day on Wednesday, heading for their longest winning streak since a record 15-day run in March 1998. Investor...