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US markets rallied after the U.S. and China declared a truce in their trade war. The Dow Jones gained 1.1% to 25,826 and the S&P 500 increased 1.1% to 2,790; Oil gained the most in more than five months as Saudi Arabia and Russia extended a cooperation pact and the US – China trade tensions cooled. Brent crude oil added 4% to 61.82 US$/bbl overnight; OPEC held its crude production at steady levels for November of 2018 as record oil output from Saudi Arabia offset losses due to US sanctions on Iran. OPEC pumped 33m BPD for November, a decrease of 10,000 BPD from October levels; Qatar announced its plans overnight to quit the OPEC cartel after 57 years due to “technical reasons”; EV’s will account for a lower global market share than previously estimated, revised to 9.4% from 10.5%, according to Bloomberg;  Base metal prices were mainly up overnight on the London Metals Exchange with zinc and copper gaining the most at 1.4% to 2,693 US$/t and 6,313 US$/t respectively

The Dow Jones tumbled 392 points as investors worried whether political turmoil in Italy could unravel a fragile European economy and cause global growth to sputter. The blue-chip index fell 424 points, or 1.7%, to 24329, as 29 out of 30 components traded lower. The S&P 500 declined 1.2% and the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.9%. The indexes were trading at their lowest levels in about three weeks as investors sought the safety of the U.S. dollar and Treasuries, both of which rallied sharply. The US Gold price gained only 0.1% to record 1298.40 US$/oz.

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A focus on costs and efficiencies saw earnings climb in FY15 despite weaker revenue. However a softer 2H reflects the tough conditions this calendar year and we expect little improvement in FY16 as MCE reduces output to match demand. Longer term we believe sustained recovery and improved plant utilisation will require the product and market diversification that MCE is targeting. Until it occurs, our hold call remains appropriate.

U.S. stocks extended their losses Thursday afternoon, putting major indexes on track for slight weekly losses. All of the S&P 500's sectors were in negative territory, dragged down by losses in materials and energy stocks. Both the Dow Jones and the S&P fell 0.9% to close at 17,906 and 2,096 respectively. Australian stocks slumped 1.4% Thursday after rising global bond yields diminished the appeal of dividend plays, putting the market on track for its worst weekly performance in three years.

U.S. stocks gave up early gains to trade down slightly on Monday and the Dow Jones lost 42 points, or 0.2%, to 18,038. Recent strength in the tech sector had spilled over into the broader market and helped propel the S&P to a fresh record Friday, although that petered out Monday with the S&P 500 dropping 9 points, or 0.4%, to 2,109.

U.S. stocks gave up early gains to trade down slightly on Monday and the Dow Jones lost 42 points, or 0.2%, to 18,038. Recent strength in the tech sector had spilled over into the broader market and helped propel the S&P to a fresh record Friday, although that petered out Monday with the S&P 500 dropping 9 points, or 0.4%, to 2,109.

Stocks pushed higher, as better-than-expected earnings from Citigroup Inc. helped major benchmarks recover from last week's falls. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 112 points, or 0.7%, to 17055. The blue-chip index forged a record in intraday trading though fell short of closing at a record high. The S&P 500 index tacked on 10 points, or 0.5%, to 1,977. The Nasdaq Composite Index added 25 points, or 0.6%, to 4,440.

Market Update & Important Indicators U.S. stocks edged higher Friday, but capped their first weekly decline in four weeks, as escalating tensions in Iraq added to investor concerns about valuations and sluggish economic growth. The Dow rose 41.55 points, or 0.2%, to 16775.74. The S&P 500 added 6.05 points, or 0.3%, to 1936.16. The NasdaqRead more

Stocks rose Thursday as investors digested recent market swings and a few soft readings on U.S. economic growth. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 10.02 points, or 0.1%, to 16543.08. The S&P 500 added 4.46 points, or 0.2%, to 1892.49, and the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 22.80 points, or 0.6%, to 4154.34. Trading volumes have been light in recent days.