- Barry Adams
- 24 Jun, 2025
- New York City
Wall Street indexes advanced for the second day in a row this week amid optimism about cooling tensions in the Middle East.
The S&P 500 index advanced 0.8%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.9%, as investors turned bullish after Iran and Israel halted aerial strikes for now.
The tentative ceasefire raised hopes that a wider war in the region could be avoided and lowered the risks to global crude oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the temporary cooling of tensions between Iran and Israel, war could break out any minute as both sides maneuver for an upper hand.
In early trading, crude oil prices declined more than 7% before recovering to a fall of 3% and traded at $65.72 a barrel, a level below the start of Israel's bombing strike on June 12.
Crude oil and natural gas prices are expected to test new lows this year as ample supply and a weakening demand outlook from China and Asian markets keep prices in check.
U.S. Stock Movers
Chewy Inc. decreased 2% to $42.50, and the online pet food retailer announced a Class A common stock offering of $1 billion by a selling stockholder underwritten by JPMorgan.
The company concurrently announced its plans to repurchase $100 million worth of stocks from the selling stockholder at an underwritten price of $41.95 per share.
KB Home declined 1.1% to $52.75 after the homebuilder lowered its annual revenue outlook range to between $6.3 billion and $6.5 billion from the previous range between $6.6 billion and $7.0 billion.
In addition, the company reported record quarterly revenue and earnings ahead of market expectations.
- Bridgette Randall
- 24 Jun, 2025
- London
European markets advanced amid hopes that Middle East tensions will ease in the days ahead after Israel and Iran halted missile strikes.
Benchmark indexes in Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, and London jumped more than 1%, and crude oil prices dropped to a two-week low after the temporary ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
Investors returned to bid up stocks amid hopes that the 12-day war between Israel and Iran may end temporarily, easing worries about global crude oil supply disruptions.
Despite the military superiority of Israel and its partner, the U.S., Iran appears to have struck deadly blows in at least three cities in Israel, resulting in at least 450 deaths.
Over the weekend, the U.S. military struck Iran's nuclear infrastructure in three cities, but the full extent of damage is still not known.
On the economic front, private business activities expanded for the sixth month in a row in June, confirming the muted pace of growth.
The HCOB Eurozone Composite PMI remained unchanged from the previous month at 50.2 in June, according to a preliminary estimate released by S&P Global.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index increased by 1.9% to 23,714.60, the CAC-40 index edged higher 1.6% to 7,656.74, and the FTSE 100 index advanced 0.4% to 8,793.58.
The yield on 10-year German bonds inched higher to 2.53%, French bonds increased to 3.24%, UK gilts moved up to 4.51%, and Italian bonds edged lower to 3.50%.
The euro increased to $1.16; the British pound was higher at $1.36; and the U.S. dollar was lower and traded at 81.17 Swiss cents.
Brent crude decreased $1.26 to $68.90 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas plunged more than 11%, or €4.98, to €35.65 per MWh.
Europe Movers
BP plc declined 4.9% to 367.40 pence, Shell PLC fell 3.5% to 2,590.50 pence, TotalEnergies dropped 3.7% to €52.28, and Repsol SA decreased 3% to €12.45.
Fashion and luxury stocks advanced, driven by the broader gains in markets across Europe.
LVMH rose 1.8% to €457.85, Kering SA advanced 2.2% to €179.36, Hermes International edged higher 1.2% to €2,292.0, and Moncler SpA advanced 1.4% to €48.73.
- Bridgette Randall
- 24 Jun, 2025
- London
European markets advanced amid hopes that Middle East tensions will ease in the days ahead after Israel and Iran halted missile strikes.
Benchmark indexes in Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, and London jumped more than 1%, and crude oil prices dropped to a two-week low after the temporary ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
Investors returned to bid up stocks amid hopes that the 12-day war between Israel and Iran may end temporarily, easing worries about global crude oil supply disruptions.
Despite the military superiority of Israel and its partner, the U.S., Iran appears to have struck deadly blows in at least three cities in Israel, resulting in at least 450 deaths.
Over the weekend, the U.S. military struck Iran's nuclear infrastructure in three cities, but the full extent of damage is still not known.
On the economic front, private business activities expanded for the sixth month in a row in June, confirming the muted pace of growth.
The HCOB Eurozone Composite PMI remained unchanged from the previous month at 50.2 in June, according to a preliminary estimate released by S&P Global.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index increased by 1.9% to 23,714.60, the CAC-40 index edged higher 1.6% to 7,656.74, and the FTSE 100 index advanced 0.4% to 8,793.58.
The yield on 10-year German bonds inched higher to 2.53%, French bonds increased to 3.24%, UK gilts moved up to 4.51%, and Italian bonds edged lower to 3.50%.
The euro increased to $1.16; the British pound was higher at $1.36; and the U.S. dollar was lower and traded at 81.17 Swiss cents.
Brent crude decreased $1.26 to $68.90 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas plunged more than 11%, or €4.98, to €35.65 per MWh.
Europe Movers
BP plc declined 4.9% to 367.40 pence, Shell PLC fell 3.5% to 2,590.50 pence, TotalEnergies dropped 3.7% to €52.28, and Repsol SA decreased 3% to €12.45.
Fashion and luxury stocks advanced, driven by the broader gains in markets across Europe.
LVMH rose 1.8% to €457.85, Kering SA advanced 2.2% to €179.36, Hermes International edged higher 1.2% to €2,292.0, and Moncler SpA advanced 1.4% to €48.73.
- Inga Muller
- 24 Jun, 2025
- Frankfurt
SThree Plc. traded up 5.1% to 234.95 pence after the UK-based workforce consultancy company released its trading update for the half year ending on May 31.
Net fees were down 14% from a year ago amid ongoing challenging global economic conditions, and the result was partially offset by a modestly reduced rate of decline in the second quarter and an improved U.S. performance.
In the life sciences segment, net fees were down 15% from a year ago; in engineering, net fees were down 9%; and in technology, they declined 18%.
The contract segment was down 14% from a year earlier, while the permanent segment was down 13%.
The contract order book amounted to £164 million, a decline of 8% from a year earlier, a reduced rate of decline versus the end of fiscal year 2024.
The company’s two largest markets, Germany and the U.S., delivered a lower rate of decline in the first quarter versus the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024, while the performance in the Netherlands reflected lower levels of demand for engineering and technology skills versus record levels in the prior year.
SThree maintained net cash of £48 million as of May 31, reflective of the buyback program and the clients’ transitioning to a new billing process, including the impact of the recent roll-out of TIP to the Netherlands.
In comparison, net cash in the previous quarter ending on February 28 was £45 million, and in the quarter ending on November 30, net cash was £70 million.
The company said it completed its £20 million share buyback program on May 15.
The consultancy company guided full-year profit before tax to be £25 million, in line with the previous guidance, compared to £67.6 million in 2024.
- Inga Muller
- 24 Jun, 2025
- Frankfurt
SThree Plc. traded up 5.1% to 234.95 pence after the UK-based workforce consultancy company released its trading update for the half year ending on May 31.
Net fees were down 14% from a year ago amid ongoing challenging global economic conditions, and the result was partially offset by a modestly reduced rate of decline in the second quarter and an improved U.S. performance.
In the life sciences segment, net fees were down 15% from a year ago; in engineering, net fees were down 9%; and in technology, they declined 18%.
The contract segment was down 14% from a year earlier, while the permanent segment was down 13%.
The contract order book amounted to £164 million, a decline of 8% from a year earlier, a reduced rate of decline versus the end of fiscal year 2024.
The company’s two largest markets, Germany and the U.S., delivered a lower rate of decline in the first quarter versus the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024, while the performance in the Netherlands reflected lower levels of demand for engineering and technology skills versus record levels in the prior year.
SThree maintained net cash of £48 million as of May 31, reflective of the buyback program and the clients’ transitioning to a new billing process, including the impact of the recent roll-out of TIP to the Netherlands.
In comparison, net cash in the previous quarter ending on February 28 was £45 million, and in the quarter ending on November 30, net cash was £70 million.
The company said it completed its £20 million share buyback program on May 15.
The consultancy company guided full-year profit before tax to be £25 million, in line with the previous guidance, compared to £67.6 million in 2024.
- Akira Ito
- 24 Jun, 2025
- Tokyo
Japan's stock market indexes rebounded from a three-day slide amid hopes of a temporary ceasefire in the Middle East.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 1%, and the broader Topix advanced 0.8% after Iran and Israel appeared to halt missile attacks amid rising casualties on both sides.
Crude oil prices dropped and extended a two-day decline to nearly 10% in Asia, as the prospect of global crude oil and natural gas supply disruption eased.
Market sentiment also recovered after the U.S. president appeared to walk away from his earlier announcements of supporting the fall of government in Iran.
For now, benchmark indexes in Japan and Asia rebounded in the hopes that crude oil prices will sink lower further amid stable supply from OPEC+ nations.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 1% to 38,764.66, and the broader Topix increased 0.8% to 2,781.93.
Technology and vehicle makers dominated the most actively traded stocks list, as investors hoped for a possible trade deal ahead of the July 9 deadline.
Advantest Corp. jumped 1% to ¥9,806.0, Tokyo Electron gained 4.3% to ¥24,710.0, and Disco Corp. increased 3% to ¥37,420.0.
Toyota Motor Corp. added 0.3% to ¥2,499.50, Honda Motor Corp. decreased 0.3% to ¥1,400.50, and Nissan Motor Corp. decreased 0.6% to ¥343.20.
Shipping companies lacked direction amid elevated tensions in the Middle East, but a sharp jump in freight rates between Asia and the U.S. supported the case for higher annual earnings.
Nippon Yusen KK decreased 1.5% to ¥5,005.0, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. decreased 2% to ¥4,703.0, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. dropped 1.7% to ¥2,003.50.
In the year so far, shipping company stocks are down between 12% and 16%.
- Akira Ito
- 24 Jun, 2025
- Tokyo
Japan's stock market indexes rebounded from a three-day slide amid hopes of a temporary ceasefire in the Middle East.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 1%, and the broader Topix advanced 0.8% after Iran and Israel appeared to halt missile attacks amid rising casualties on both sides.
Crude oil prices dropped and extended a two-day decline to nearly 10% in Asia, as the prospect of global crude oil and natural gas supply disruption eased.
Market sentiment also recovered after the U.S. president appeared to walk away from his earlier announcements of supporting the fall of government in Iran.
For now, benchmark indexes in Japan and Asia rebounded in the hopes that crude oil prices will sink lower further amid stable supply from OPEC+ nations.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 1% to 38,764.66, and the broader Topix increased 0.8% to 2,781.93.
Technology and vehicle makers dominated the most actively traded stocks list, as investors hoped for a possible trade deal ahead of the July 9 deadline.
Advantest Corp. jumped 1% to ¥9,806.0, Tokyo Electron gained 4.3% to ¥24,710.0, and Disco Corp. increased 3% to ¥37,420.0.
Toyota Motor Corp. added 0.3% to ¥2,499.50, Honda Motor Corp. decreased 0.3% to ¥1,400.50, and Nissan Motor Corp. decreased 0.6% to ¥343.20.
Shipping companies lacked direction amid elevated tensions in the Middle East, but a sharp jump in freight rates between Asia and the U.S. supported the case for higher annual earnings.
Nippon Yusen KK decreased 1.5% to ¥5,005.0, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. decreased 2% to ¥4,703.0, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. dropped 1.7% to ¥2,003.50.
In the year so far, shipping company stocks are down between 12% and 16%.
- Li Chen
- 24 Jun, 2025
- Hong Kong
China market indexes advanced on Tuesday, and energy prices turned lower amid expectations of a cooling of hostilities in the Middle East.
The Hang Seng index jumped over 2%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index advanced 1% after the U.S. president claimed that Iran and Israel had agreed to a temporary ceasefire.
Donald Trump's could not be verified, and his previous assertions about the India-Pakistan ceasefire have proven to be misleading and inaccurate.
For now, crude oil prices dropped, extending a two-day drop to 10% as the prospects of a global crude oil supply disruption receded.
Benchmark indexes in Tokyo, Seoul, Mumbai, and Sydney headed higher amid hopes of a temporary ceasefire in the Middle East.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index soared 2.2% to 24,177.98, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index advanced 1.1% to 3,899.85.
Li Auto Inc. jumped 4.8% to HK $112.80, BYD gained 3.4% to HK $130.50, and Dongfeng Motor Group advanced 0.9% to HK $3.44.
CNOOC Ltd. declined 0.9% to HK $17.92, PetroChina decreased 0.6% to HK $6.67, and China Petroleum and Chemical added 1.2% to HK $4.09.
Alibaba Group advanced 1.9% to HK $113.0, Meituan gained 1% to HK $132.80, and Tencent Holdings gained 0.8% to HK $508.0.
- Li Chen
- 24 Jun, 2025
- Hong Kong
China market indexes advanced on Tuesday, and energy prices turned lower amid expectations of a cooling of hostilities in the Middle East.
The Hang Seng index jumped over 2%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index advanced 1% after the U.S. president claimed that Iran and Israel had agreed to a temporary ceasefire.
Donald Trump's could not be verified, and his previous assertions about the India-Pakistan ceasefire have proven to be misleading and inaccurate.
For now, crude oil prices dropped, extending a two-day drop to 10% as the prospects of a global crude oil supply disruption receded.
Benchmark indexes in Tokyo, Seoul, Mumbai, and Sydney headed higher amid hopes of a temporary ceasefire in the Middle East.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index soared 2.2% to 24,177.98, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index advanced 1.1% to 3,899.85.
Li Auto Inc. jumped 4.8% to HK $112.80, BYD gained 3.4% to HK $130.50, and Dongfeng Motor Group advanced 0.9% to HK $3.44.
CNOOC Ltd. declined 0.9% to HK $17.92, PetroChina decreased 0.6% to HK $6.67, and China Petroleum and Chemical added 1.2% to HK $4.09.
Alibaba Group advanced 1.9% to HK $113.0, Meituan gained 1% to HK $132.80, and Tencent Holdings gained 0.8% to HK $508.0.
- Scott Peters
- 23 Jun, 2025
- New York City
FactSet Research Systems Inc. gained 3.7% to $438.01 after the investment data and information solutions reported results for the fiscal third quarter ending on May 31.
Revenue increased to $585.5 million from $552.7 million, net income edged down to $148.5 million from $158.1 million, and diluted earnings per share declined to $3.87 from $4.09 a year ago.
Client count as of May 31 was 8,811, a net increase of 166 clients in the past three months, driven by hedge fund, corporate, and wealth management clients, and now includes clients from the LiquidityBook acquisition.
The data provider guided full-year revenue to be between $2.30 billion and $2.32 billion, compared to $2.20 billion, and diluted earnings per share between $14.80 and $15.40, compared to $13.91 a year earlier, respectively.
During the quarter, the company repurchased $80.7 million worth of its own stock, and $106.2 million remained available for share repurchases.
On June 17, the company’s board approved a new share repurchase authorization of up to $400 million, which will be available on September 1.
- Scott Peters
- 23 Jun, 2025
- New York City
FactSet Research Systems Inc. gained 3.7% to $438.01 after the investment data and information solutions reported results for the fiscal third quarter ending on May 31.
Revenue increased to $585.5 million from $552.7 million, net income edged down to $148.5 million from $158.1 million, and diluted earnings per share declined to $3.87 from $4.09 a year ago.
Client count as of May 31 was 8,811, a net increase of 166 clients in the past three months, driven by hedge fund, corporate, and wealth management clients, and now includes clients from the LiquidityBook acquisition.
The data provider guided full-year revenue to be between $2.30 billion and $2.32 billion, compared to $2.20 billion, and diluted earnings per share between $14.80 and $15.40, compared to $13.91 a year earlier, respectively.
During the quarter, the company repurchased $80.7 million worth of its own stock, and $106.2 million remained available for share repurchases.
On June 17, the company’s board approved a new share repurchase authorization of up to $400 million, which will be available on September 1.