Global semiconductor stocks extended their decline as investors questioned whether years of heavy spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure will continue to generate strong returns. The sell-off spread across major chipmakers despite solid earnings from several industry leaders. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index has fallen about 13% this month, although it remains up more than 70% for…
China’s central bank kept its one-year Loan Prime Rate (LPR) at 3.00% and the five-year LPR at 3.50%, signaling a cautious approach as policymakers balance economic growth with financial stability. The decision follows recent measures to stimulate domestic demand and support the property sector. Analysts said authorities are waiting to assess the impact of earlier…
Boeing has reaffirmed its forecast for long-term demand in the aviation industry, projecting airlines will need about 43,600 new commercial aircraft over the next 20 years despite geopolitical tensions and recent disruptions in the Middle East. The company said global passenger traffic is expected to grow steadily, driven by expanding middle-class populations and increasing demand…
The U.S. dollar remained steady on Friday but was on track for a weekly decline after weaker U.S. inflation data reduced expectations of an immediate Federal Reserve interest rate hike. Safe-haven demand offered some support as renewed conflict between the United States and Iran pushed oil prices to their highest levels in nearly a month….
Global equity funds attracted $12.46 billion in net inflows during the week ending July 15, marking the eighth consecutive week of investor inflows as strong corporate earnings and easing U.S. inflation boosted market confidence. According to LSEG Lipper data, European equity funds led with $9.49 billion in inflows, followed by Asian funds with $5.4 billion,…
BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, reported record assets under management in the second quarter of 2026, supported by strong investor inflows into exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and long-term investment products. The company said continued demand for AI-related investments, fixed-income funds, and retirement portfolios helped drive growth despite ongoing market volatility. Quarterly revenue and profit also…
The European Commission is preparing a package of banking reforms aimed at helping European banks grow larger and compete more effectively with major U.S. financial institutions. The proposals, expected in early 2027, would reduce barriers to cross-border bank mergers, simplify capital and liquidity rules, and discourage governments from blocking acquisitions without valid regulatory reasons. Officials…
State Street Corp. reported a 56% increase in second-quarter profit, driven by higher fee income from asset servicing, investment management, and stronger client activity. The custody bank benefited from rising market values, increased trading volumes, and steady demand for its financial services. Revenue also improved as institutional investors remained active despite ongoing uncertainty over interest…
European stock markets traded mostly flat as investors balanced strong corporate earnings against rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The STOXX 600 index edged lower, with gains in selected technology and advertising stocks helping limit broader market losses. Chipmaker ASML advanced after reporting solid results, while Publicis gained on strong demand for AI-powered marketing…