logo
Gulf bourses end mixed on US-China trade-talks

Gulf bourses end mixed on US-China trade-talks

DUBAI: Stock markets in the Gulf ended mixed on Wednesday as there was little progress in US-China trade talks, dashing hopes it would ease long-standing tensions between the world's largest economies.
Top officials of both countries said on Tuesday they agreed on a framework to get their trade truce back on track and remove China's export restrictions on rare earths, while offering little sign of a durable resolution.
Saudi Arabia's benchmark index - which traded after a four-session eid break - gave up early gains to finish flat.
Meanwhile, the kingdom's crude oil supply to China is set to dip slightly in July, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing trade sources, but still strong for a third straight month as the OPEC kingpin regains its market share supplying the world's top crude importer.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Asian currencies: Taiwan dollar, South Korean won lead gains
Asian currencies: Taiwan dollar, South Korean won lead gains

Business Recorder

timean hour ago

  • Business Recorder

Asian currencies: Taiwan dollar, South Korean won lead gains

BENGALURU: The South Korean won and the Taiwan dollar led Asian currencies higher on Thursday, as the US-China trade truce and indications that President Donald Trump might take a milder approach in tariff negotiations lifted overall risk sentiment. The won rose 0.9%, while the Taiwanese dollar advanced more than 1% to reach its highest level since early May. A forex trader in Taiwan told Reuters that foreign investors had been continuously selling the US dollar, and there was no obvious sign of central bank intervention in the market until late morning. A second trader said the central bank was deliberately letting the Taiwanese dollar appreciate first, before stepping in. Investor focus this week remained on trade talks between Washington and Beijing, which concluded with a framework deal that would lift Chinese export curbs on rare earth minerals and restore access for Chinese students to US universities. 'Relief from the fact that both countries have managed to reach an agreement following their talks earlier in the week has been more or less priced in by markets, which has made the US dollar continue to weaken, helping Asian currencies,' said Khoon Goh, head of Asia research at ANZ. The dollar index dipped 0.1%, pressured by a weak US inflation print that fuelled bets on a Federal Reserve rate cut as early as September. Meanwhile, Trump said he may extend the July 8 trade talks deadline and that the US also plans to send trade deal terms to several countries within one to two weeks. Other regional currencies were also broadly higher with the Malaysian ringgit and Thai baht both up 0.3%.

India shares stumble on trade uncertainty
India shares stumble on trade uncertainty

Business Recorder

timean hour ago

  • Business Recorder

India shares stumble on trade uncertainty

MUMBAI: Indian shares declined on Thursday as lingering uncertainty around the US-China trade deal and mounting geopolitical tensions in the Middle East dented risk appetite. The Nifty 50 fell 1.01% to 24,888.2, snapping a six-session winning streak, while the BSE Sensex lost 1% to 81,691.98. The broader small-caps and mid-caps both fell 1.8% and 1.6%. All the 13 major sectors logged losses. Global sentiment weakened despite US President Donald Trump claiming a tariff framework with China had been reached as the absence of concrete terms kept markets on edge. 'Markets remain trapped in a fog of mixed signals-no final draft, and Trump's shifting goalposts,' said Kranthi Bathini, director of equity strategy at Wealthmills Securities. 'The inconsistency and unreliability from the US, coupled with rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East kept investors risk averse,' added Bathini Geopolitical concerns escalated after Iran said it will strike US bases in the Middle East if nuclear talks fail and conflict arises with Washington.

Chicago soybeans dip on US-China trade jitters
Chicago soybeans dip on US-China trade jitters

Business Recorder

timean hour ago

  • Business Recorder

Chicago soybeans dip on US-China trade jitters

BEIJING: Chicago soybeans declined for a second session on Thursday following the US-China trade truce framework, which appeared to lack specific agricultural details, while favourable weather conditions also weighed on prices. The most-active soybean contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) lost 0.29% at $10.47-4/8 per bushel as of 0420 GMT. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump expressed satisfaction with the deal that restored a fragile truce in the US-China trade war, following an agreement on a tariff rate framework between Washington and Beijing. However, traders remained cautious due to the absence of clear agricultural details. China, the largest buyer of US soybeans, had previously imposed tariffs of 10%-15% on $21 billion worth of American agricultural and food products. Corn prices held steady at $4.37 per bushel, partly pressured by strong production prospects. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported weekly corn-based ethanol production reached a record-high 1.120 million barrels per day, while stockpiles dropped to 23.734 million barrels, the lowest this calendar year. Both soybeans and corn were pressured by favourable Midwest weather conditions. Wheat rose 0.19% to $5.35-2/8 a bushel after three straight sessions of losses. On Wednesday, Argentina's Rosario grains exchange slightly lowered its wheat harvest estimate for the 2025-26 season due to floods. The Taiwan Flour Millers' Association issued an international tender to purchase an estimated 95,450 metric tons of grade 1 milling wheat to be sourced from the United States, European traders said. Improved crop conditions in the US and Russia continued to cap wheat price gains. Traders are also positioning ahead of the US Department of Agriculture's monthly supply-demand reports and weekly export sales report due later in the day. Commodity funds were net sellers of CBOT corn, soybean, and soymeal futures on Wednesday, remained net even in wheat, and were small net buyers of soyoil futures, according to traders.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store