Jerry Lin
The Latest
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Japan’s Exports Decline for First Time in 10 Months Amid Global Economic Slowdown
Japan's exports fell for the first time in 10 months in September, highlighting the challenges faced by the country's economy amid a global slowdown. Data released by the Ministry of Finance on Thursday revealed a 1.7% decline in exports year-over-year, missing market expectations for a modest 0.5% increase. The drop, driven by weak demand in China and the United States, raises concerns about Japan's economic outlook and complicates the central bank's monetary policy trajectory. 
Japan's exports fell for the first time in 10 months in September, highlighting the challenges faced by the country's economy amid a global slowdown. Data released by the Ministry of Finance on Thursday revealed a 1.7% decline in exports year-over-year, missing market expectations for a modest 0.5% increase. The drop, driven by weak demand in China and the United States, raises concerns about Japan's economic outlook and complicates the central bank's monetary policy trajectory. -
ECB Cuts Rates to 3.25% as Inflation Falls Below Target, Stimulus Efforts Continue
The European Central Bank (ECB) reduced its key interest rate to 3.25% on Thursday, marking the third quarter-percentage-point cut this year. The move, which had been anticipated by markets, reflects the ECB's ongoing efforts to stimulate the eurozone economy amid signs of slowing inflation and weaker growth prospects. 
The European Central Bank (ECB) reduced its key interest rate to 3.25% on Thursday, marking the third quarter-percentage-point cut this year. The move, which had been anticipated by markets, reflects the ECB's ongoing efforts to stimulate the eurozone economy amid signs of slowing inflation and weaker growth prospects. -
Gold Prices Nears Record High Amid Falling US Yields and Central Bank Rate Cuts, Analysts Predict Further Gains
Gold prices edged closer to record highs on Wednesday, boosted by a pullback in U.S. Treasury yields and growing expectations of rate cuts by central banks. Spot gold rose 0.5% to $2,673.77 per ounce by mid-morning in New York, approaching the record high of $2,685.42 set in late September. U.S. gold futures also saw gains, increasing 0.4% to $2,690.50. 
Gold prices edged closer to record highs on Wednesday, boosted by a pullback in U.S. Treasury yields and growing expectations of rate cuts by central banks. Spot gold rose 0.5% to $2,673.77 per ounce by mid-morning in New York, approaching the record high of $2,685.42 set in late September. U.S. gold futures also saw gains, increasing 0.4% to $2,690.50. -
Chinese Stocks Teeter on Correction as Stimulus Uncertainty Shakes Investor Confidence; Global Markets React
Chinese stocks edged closer to a technical correction on Wednesday, reflecting growing investor frustration over Beijing's delayed rollout of economic stimulus measures. The CSI 300 Index, a benchmark tracking top companies listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen, fell 0.6%, taking its decline since October 8 to nearly 10%. Meanwhile, the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong experienced volatile trading before managing a modest 0.4% gain in late afternoon trading. 
Chinese stocks edged closer to a technical correction on Wednesday, reflecting growing investor frustration over Beijing's delayed rollout of economic stimulus measures. The CSI 300 Index, a benchmark tracking top companies listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen, fell 0.6%, taking its decline since October 8 to nearly 10%. Meanwhile, the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong experienced volatile trading before managing a modest 0.4% gain in late afternoon trading. -
Oil Prices Plunge as Israel Confirms No Strike on Iranian Oil
Oil prices dropped sharply on Tuesday, with U.S. crude falling nearly 5% after reports that Israel is not planning to strike Iran's oil facilities, alleviating fears of a major disruption in the global oil supply. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for November delivery settled at $70.15 per barrel, down $3.68, or 4.98%, marking one of the largest single-day declines in recent weeks. Brent crude, the global benchmark, also saw a significant drop, falling 4.7% to $73.82 per barrel. 
Oil prices dropped sharply on Tuesday, with U.S. crude falling nearly 5% after reports that Israel is not planning to strike Iran's oil facilities, alleviating fears of a major disruption in the global oil supply. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for November delivery settled at $70.15 per barrel, down $3.68, or 4.98%, marking one of the largest single-day declines in recent weeks. Brent crude, the global benchmark, also saw a significant drop, falling 4.7% to $73.82 per barrel. -
China Stocks Plunge After Disappointing Trade Data, Hang Seng Falls 4% Amid Economic Concerns
Chinese stocks experienced a significant drop on Tuesday, with the Hang Seng Index plunging nearly 4% and the CSI 300 falling more than 2%, as disappointing trade data and concerns over the government's economic stimulus efforts rattled investors. The steep declines follow the release of underwhelming September trade figures, which revealed weaker-than-expected export and import growth, intensifying concerns over China's slowing economy. 
Chinese stocks experienced a significant drop on Tuesday, with the Hang Seng Index plunging nearly 4% and the CSI 300 falling more than 2%, as disappointing trade data and concerns over the government's economic stimulus efforts rattled investors. The steep declines follow the release of underwhelming September trade figures, which revealed weaker-than-expected export and import growth, intensifying concerns over China's slowing economy. -
Central Banks Continue Gold Buying Spree Amid Price Rally and Economic Uncertainty
Central banks are continuing to buy gold to diversify their reserves, even amid a notable rally in the metal's price, representatives from several central banks said at the London Bullion Market Association's (LBMA) annual conference in Miami on Monday. Despite elevated global interest rates and gold's spot price surging by 28% this year, gold remains a crucial asset for financial security and strategic reserve diversification. 
Central banks are continuing to buy gold to diversify their reserves, even amid a notable rally in the metal's price, representatives from several central banks said at the London Bullion Market Association's (LBMA) annual conference in Miami on Monday. Despite elevated global interest rates and gold's spot price surging by 28% this year, gold remains a crucial asset for financial security and strategic reserve diversification. -
Crude Oil Prices Drop as OPEC Lowers Demand Forecast and Chinese Stimulus Disappoints
Crude oil prices experienced a sharp decline on Monday, falling nearly 2%, as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) revised its global demand forecast downward for the third consecutive time. Additionally, vague announcements from China regarding its economic stimulus efforts failed to reassure markets, contributing to the drop in oil futures. 
Crude oil prices experienced a sharp decline on Monday, falling nearly 2%, as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) revised its global demand forecast downward for the third consecutive time. Additionally, vague announcements from China regarding its economic stimulus efforts failed to reassure markets, contributing to the drop in oil futures. -
Oil Prices Surge Amid Middle East Tensions and U.S. Storm Threats
Oil prices experienced a notable rebound on Thursday, driven by concerns over the geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as disruptions caused by a hurricane making landfall in Florida. These factors have prompted heightened market volatility, leaving investors cautious about the potential for further conflict in the Middle East and its impact on global oil supply. 
Oil prices experienced a notable rebound on Thursday, driven by concerns over the geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as disruptions caused by a hurricane making landfall in Florida. These factors have prompted heightened market volatility, leaving investors cautious about the potential for further conflict in the Middle East and its impact on global oil supply. -
U.S. Jobless Claims Surge to 258,000 Amid Hurricane Helene Impact and Boeing Strike
Unemployment claims in the U.S. surged to their highest level in more than a year last week, driven by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and widespread furloughs at Boeing. The Labor Department reported that initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased by 33,000 to a seasonally adjusted 258,000 for the week ending October 5, far exceeding economists' expectations of 230,000. The rise in claims marks the most significant jump since August 2023. 
Unemployment claims in the U.S. surged to their highest level in more than a year last week, driven by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and widespread furloughs at Boeing. The Labor Department reported that initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased by 33,000 to a seasonally adjusted 258,000 for the week ending October 5, far exceeding economists' expectations of 230,000. The rise in claims marks the most significant jump since August 2023.
