Global stock markets surged on Thursday, spurred by anticipation of upcoming U.S. inflation data and the European Central Bank’s interest‑rate decision. The dollar strengthened against the euro and other major currencies.
In Asia, the Tokyo market hit a record high, with the Nikkei 225 closing up 1.2 percent at 44,372.50, largely driven by a 10‑percent jump in SoftBank’s share price. The Shanghai Composite rose 1.7 percent to 3,875.31, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index slipped 0.4 percent to 26,086.32.
European markets also posted gains: London’s FTSE 100 advanced 0.5 percent to 9,274.16, Paris’s CAC 40 climbed 0.8 percent to 7,825.89, and Frankfurt’s DAX increased 0.2 percent to 23,674.47.
On Wall Street, the S&P 500 reached a fresh record high on Wednesday, boosted by a sharp rise in Oracle’s stock after the company projected strong revenue growth from its artificial‑intelligence investments.
The U.S. consumer‑price index, due Thursday, is expected to shed light on the Federal Reserve’s prospects for cutting rates before year‑end. Recent weak jobs data and falling producer prices have led analysts to anticipate lower borrowing costs. A softer‑than‑expected inflation report could spark speculation of a significant Fed rate cut to support the weakening labor market, according to Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank.
Conversely, the European Central Bank is likely to keep its key rate at 2 percent, given the current control of euro‑zone inflation and easing trade tensions. The International Energy Agency reported that global oil supply hit a record high in August, creating a surplus that is restraining prices. Consequently, oil prices fell on Thursday, with Brent North Sea crude down 0.7 percent at $67.02 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate down 0.8 percent at $63.14 per barrel.
Investors are closely monitoring these market trends and upcoming economic decisions, awaiting clues on central‑bank actions and their impact on the global economy. The significance of these developments will become clearer in the coming days as markets react to the latest data and decisions from major financial institutions.
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