Skip to main content

Featured

Beirut Reels as Israeli Airstrikes Intensify Amid Expanding Regional Conflict

                                     Smoke rises after an Israeli strike in central Beirut's Bachoura neighbourhood Israeli warplanes struck central Beirut in the early hours of March 18, delivering some of the most intense bombardments the city center has seen in decades. The attacks destroyed residential buildings in densely populated neighborhoods such as Bashoura, Zuqaq al-Blat, and Basta, killing at least six to twelve people according to varying Lebanese authority reports.  The strikes come as the broader conflict widens following Hezbollah’s involvement earlier in the month and escalating tit-for-tat actions between Israel and Iran. Residents described fleeing in the middle of the night—some after receiving evacuation warnings, others with no warning at all—as explosions lit up the capital’s skyline.  Lebanese officials say the attacks targeted both residenti...
Post a Comment
Read more

article

Labels

Stock Market Today: World Stocks Track Wall Street Gains Ahead of Earnings Reports


Global markets are mostly higher today after U.S. stocks clawed back a chunk of their losses from the previous week. Approximately 150 companies in the S&P 500 are set to report earnings this week, drawing investor attention. Here’s a summary of the key developments:

  1. Asian Markets Extend Gains:

    • Asian benchmarks extended gains, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 rising 0.3% to 37,552.16. Despite Japan’s manufacturing activity contracting for 11 straight months, sentiment remains cautiously optimistic.
    • The Hang Seng in Hong Kong added 1.9% to 16,820.51, while the Shanghai Composite index slipped 0.7% to 3,021.98.
    • Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.5% to 7,683.50, and South Korea’s Kospi dropped 0.2% to 2,623.02.

  2. European Markets Reach New Highs:

    • London’s FTSE 100 hit a record high, surging 0.5% to 8,061.61, surpassing its previous peak in February 2023.
    • Germany’s DAX rose 0.7% to 17,985.96, and the CAC 40 in Paris added 0.2% to 8,057.58.

  3. U.S. Futures Signal Positive Open:

    • Early signs from the U.S. Futures Index suggest that Wall Street might open slightly positive. Dow futures were up 18.00 points, S&P 500 futures were up 0.25 points, and Nasdaq 100 futures were progressing 1.25 points.
    • On Monday, the S&P 500 gained 0.5%, recovering more than a quarter of last week’s rout. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.7%, and the Nasdaq composite jumped 1.1%.
    • Tesla, which has seen its stock drop more than 40% this year, announced price cuts over the weekend and is due to release its first-quarter earnings later today.

  4. Earnings Season Pressure:

    • About a third of the companies in the S&P 500 are scheduled to report their first-quarter earnings. This includes companies beyond Tesla and Alphabet, known as part of the “Magnificent Seven.”
    • Investors are closely watching for fatter profits and revenue, as interest rates are unlikely to offer much help in the near term.

In summary, Wall Street is poised for gains as investors focus on corporate earnings reports. 



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment