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Real-time financial news from around the world.
Published Monday β Friday, 24 hours a day.
New Zealand
NZX 50 Trades Lower in Morning Deals
The NZX 50 dropped 55 points, or 0.4%, to 13,372 in Wednesday morning deals, erasing gains from the previous session, mainly weighed down by the materials, financials, communication services, and healthcare sectors. The broader index declined from its highest level since March 6, tracking a fall in Wall Street's Nasdaq and S&P 500 indexes amid a pullback in AI-related stocks. Fresh data pressured sentiment, as New Zealand's consumer confidence fell to its lowest level since 2023 in Q2, weighed by rising fuel and other living costs, while the Q1 current account gap widened from the same period a year earlier. Traders also anticipated this week's release of New Zealand's Q1 GDP data and the Fed's monetary policy decision. Among early losers were Fisher & Paykel (-0.9%), Briscoe Group (-0.9%), Ebos Group (-0.7%), Henderson Far East Income (-0.6%), Infratil (-0.5%), and Contact Energy (-0.4%).
New Zealand
New Zealand Q1 Current Account Deficit Close to Estimates
New Zealand's current account deficit widened to NZD 1.01 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up from NZD 0.71 billion in the same period the previous year, and was slightly smaller than market expectations of a NZD 1.03 billion gap. The goods balance recorded a NZD 0.09 billion deficit, swinging from a NZD 1.00 billion surplus in Q1 2025, as exports rose less than imports. The primary income deficit widened slightly to NZD 3.30 billion from NZD 3.27 billion, while the secondary income deficit increased to NZD 0.21 billion from NZD 0.19 billion. In contrast, the services surplus rose to NZD 2.59 billion, up from NZD 1.75 billion a year earlier, driven mainly by stronger growth in services exports and imports. Last year, the country recorded a current account deficit of NZD 16 billion.
Crypto Updates: Binance Drops by 1.89%
Top crypto losers are Binance (-1.89%), XRP (-1.54%), Bitcoin (-0.96%) and Ether (-0.22%).
Agricultural Commodities Updates: Cocoa Spikes by 6.47%
Top commodity gainers are Cocoa (6.47%), Coffee (5.54%) and Palm Oil (1.98%). Biggest losers are Rapeseed (-1.12%) and Canola (-0.82%).
Metals Commodities Updates: Platinum Rises by 2.14%
Top commodity gainers are Platinum (2.14%) and Gold (0.51%). Biggest losers are Iron Ore CNY (-1.23%), Lithium Carbonate (-0.88%) and Steel Rebar (-0.76%).
Energy Commodities Updates: Crude Oil WTI Falls by 4.89%
Top commodity losers are Crude Oil WTI (-4.89%), Brent Crude Oil (-4.23%) and Methanol (-3.58%). Gains are led by Natural gas (3.46%).
FX Updates: Norwegian Krone Increases by 0.62%
Top currency gainers are Norwegian Krone (0.62%), Polish Zloty (0.51%), Swedish Krona (0.44%), Euro (0.17%) and British Pound (0.10%). Biggest losers are Dollar Index (-0.09%) and Japanese Yen (-0.07%).
New Zealand
New Zealand Consumer Sentiment Hits 2023 Low
New Zealand's Westpac McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence Index fell to 80.4, its lowest level since 2023. Rising fuel and other living costs, exacerbated by tensions in the Middle East, have intensified concerns about household finances in recent months. The cost of essentials, including petrol and electricity, has increased sharply, while higher mortgage rates have added to borrowing pressures. Against this backdrop, more households expect their financial situation to worsen over the next year than to improve. Consumers have also become increasingly pessimistic about the broader economic outlook. As living costs continue to climb, households are growing more cautious with discretionary spending and are less willing to purchase durable goods. Wellington remains the most pessimistic region in the country.
United States
US Crude Inventories Fall More Than Expected
US crude oil inventories fell by 8.33 million barrels in the week ended June 12, exceeding expectations for a 4.5 million-barrel draw. This followed a 9.12 million-barrel decline in the previous week. Despite inventories falling by about 52 million barrels over the past nine weeks, US crude stockpiles are down just 1.4 million barrels since the start of the year. Inventories in the SPR also continued to decline, dropping by 8.9 million barrels to 340.3 million, leaving stocks 385 million barrels below maximum capacity. Meanwhile, inventories at the Cushing hub fell by 1.52 million barrels after declining by 1.13 million barrels the previous week. US crude production rose to 13.80 million barrels per day in the week ended June 5, up from 13.71 million bpd a week earlier. Gasoline inventories rose by 2.48 million barrels, reversing the prior week's 1.19 million-barrel decline, while distillate stockpiles fell by 461,000 barrels after rising by 1.3 million barrels in the previous week.
Brazil
Brazil Shares Fall Ahead of BCB Decision
The Ibovespa fell 0.4% to close at 169,648 on Tuesday as investors assessed fresh election polls and rising inflation expectations. A BTG/Nexus survey released on Monday showed President Lula holding a nine-point lead over Senator FlΓ‘vio Bolsonaro in first-round voting intentions. Meanwhile, the median forecast for Brazilβs annual inflation increased for the 14th consecutive week, prompting markets to reassess how long the BCB may keep interest rates elevated. Most sectors ended lower. Financial stocks traded mixed amid concerns that higher borrowing costs could weigh on lending activity, with Bradesco falling 0.7%. Petrobras also pressured the index, declining 1.3% as optimism surrounding a preliminary US-Iran peace agreement raised the prospect of the Strait of Hormuz remaining open.
Canada
TSX Climbs on US-Iran Peace Prospects
The S&P/TSX Composite Index rose 0.3% to close at 35,390 on Tuesday, supported by optimism over a potential US-Iran peace deal. US President Donald Trump said at the G7 summit that negotiations with Iran had entered a second stage. Oil prices fell as markets assessed the prospect of renewed supplies, easing concerns about energy-driven inflation and reducing fears of a hawkish shift by central banks. Lower bond yields supported financial stocks and the broader market, with RBC rising 1.1%, while TD Bank and BMO both added 0.7%. Higher gold prices lifted mining shares, with Agnico Eagle gaining 2.6%, WPM advancing 3.6%, and Barrick rising 2.3%. In contrast, lower oil prices weighed on energy stocks, with Canadian Natural down 1.7%, Suncor losing 2.4%, and Cenovus falling 3.2%. Meanwhile, home sales rose 5.5% in May, while home prices edged lower. Investors are now awaiting the US Fed's policy decision on Wednesday, with markets widely expecting interest rates to remain unchanged.
United States
US Stock Market Closes Mixed
US equities closed mixed on Tuesday amid a pullback in AI-related stocks. The S&P 500 lost 0.6%, while the Nasdaq was down 1.2%. Investors took profits in semiconductor names after their recent rally, with Nvidia (-2.4%), Broadcom (-4.4%), Micron (-6.2%), AMD (-7.3%), and Intel (-8.5%) all posting losses. In contrast, SpaceX gained 4.8%, extending its advance since Friday's IPO, after reports that it would acquire Cursor for $60 billion. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones rose 328 points to a new high, supported by optimism surrounding the preliminary US-Iran agreement. Both countries are expected to sign the deal on Friday, with US officials stating that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen. Bond yields continued to ease as lower oil prices softened inflation concerns ahead of the Fed's expected rate hold on Wednesday, although Chairman Warsh is still expected to advocate changes to the monetary framework and a smaller balance sheet. JPMorgan rose 3.7%, while Visa gained 2.8%.
Crypto Updates: Binance Drops by 1.66%
Top crypto losers are Binance (-1.66%), XRP (-1.22%), Bitcoin (-0.66%) and Ether (-0.09%).
Agricultural Commodities Updates: Cocoa Rallies by 6.55%
Top commodity gainers are Cocoa (6.55%), Coffee (5.56%) and Oat (2.69%). Biggest losers are Canola (-1.13%) and Rapeseed (-1.11%).
Metals Commodities Updates: Platinum Gains by 2.81%
Top commodity gainers are Platinum (2.81%) and Gold (0.70%). Biggest losers are Iron Ore CNY (-1.23%), Lithium Carbonate (-0.88%) and Steel Rebar (-0.76%).
Energy Commodities Updates: Crude Oil WTI Slumps by 6.21%
Top commodity losers are Crude Oil WTI (-6.21%), Brent Crude Oil (-5.32%) and Heating Oil (-3.06%). Gains are led by Natural gas (2.46%).
Crude Oil Extends Plunge on Deal Hopes
Crude oil prices fell over 6% to $75.5 per barrel on Tuesday, the lowest since the first week of March, erasing the bulk of the surge from the conflict in the Middle East amid expectations that exports from GCC countries will be restored imminently. The US and Iran continued to signal they will sign a memorandum of understanding this Friday. The deal reportedly has both countries allowing tankers to cross the Strait of Hormuz upon the agreement, with the US unopposed of Tehran deploying tankers immediately. The fresh supply from the region is due to replenish refineries across the globe with the higher export quotas from OPEC+ and higher output from the UAE, which left the cartel during the conflict. The US Strategic Petroleum Reserves had fallen to a 43-year low. In turn, Iranian output will likely refill Chinese oil stockpiles, which were depleted in the last months as the world's largest importer refrained from purchasing oil to prop up prices further.
Germany
DAX Finishes at Near 2-Week High
The DAX 40 pared gains to close marginally up at 24,910 on Tuesday, but still near a two-week high, marking the fourth session of advances. The prospect of a peace deal in Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz continued to support market sentiment. The memorandum of understanding is scheduled to be formally signed on Friday, leaving a 60-day window for negotiations toward a final agreement. Insurers and banks, as well as energy-sensitive industrials were among the top performers, while the tech sector and autos saw heavy pressure. GEA Group led gains, rising 5.1%, after Deutsche Bank raised its rating from Neutral to Buy. MΓΌnchener RΓΌck, Hannover RΓΌck and Allianz also advanced, gaining up to 1.3%, while Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank rose 0.6% and 0.3% respectively. Other top gainers included Qiagen NV, Deutsche Post, Siemens and Airbus. Onn the downside, automakers BMW and Mercedes-Benz Group dropped 5.2% and 2.8%, respectively, while Infineon Technologies shed 2.3%.
Euro Area
European Stocks Extend Record
European stock indices closed higher to extend their records on Tuesday amid confidence over an imminent deal between the US and Iran. The Euro STOXX 50 added 0.4% to 6,255 and the STOXX Europe 600 rose 0.2% to 636. Energy prices retreated further after Iran and the US maintained their plan to sign a memorandum of understanding on Friday, which US authorities claimed will restore tanker flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Banking stocks rose as bond yields dropped and improved credit conditions, with BBVA and Intesa Sanpaolo adding more than 2%. Meanwhile, UniCredit jumped 4% after the German government rejected its bid for Commerzbank. Industrials were also sharply higher with Safran and Schneider adding 2.5%.
United Kingdom
FTSE 100 Rebounds on Tuesday
The FTSE 100 rose 0.7% on Tuesday, recovering from a 0.4% loss in the previous session, as oil prices fall further on growing hopes that this deal between the US and Iran could stick. Among major index constituents, Rolls-Royce added 2.7% and submarine contractor Babcock gained more than 2%, while banks including HSBC Holdings, Lloyds Banking Group and Barclays rose between 1.4% to 1.8%. Markets are also focused on a busy UK data calendar this week, with inflation, employment and retail sales figures due, alongside the Bank of England interest rate decision and the Makerfield by-election on Thursday.
Live Forex News are published 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday and provide fast financial updates from around the world. The news is delivered in near real time so you can easily follow the most important developments in the Forex and stock markets.