- UN says 2 peacekeepers wounded in south Lebanon explosions
- Injury-hit Australia thrash 'embarrassing' Pakistan at Women's T20 World Cup
- Internal TikTok documents show prioritization of traffic over well-being
- Israel says fired at 'immediate threat' near UN position in Lebanon
- New US coach Pochettino hails Pulisic but worries over workload
- Brazil orders closure of 2,000 betting sites
- UK govt urged to raise pro-democracy tycoon's case with China
- Sculptor Lalanne's animal creations sell for $59 mn
- From Tesla to Trump: Behind Musk's giant leap into politics
- US, European markets rise as investors weigh rates, earnings
- In Colombia, children trade plastic waste for school supplies
- Supercharged hurricanes trigger 'perfect storm' for disinformation
- JPMorgan Chase profits top estimates, bank sees 'resilient' US economy
- Djokovic proves staying power as he progresses to Shanghai semi-finals
- Sheffield Utd boss Wilder 'numb' after Baldock death
- Little progress at key meet ahead of COP29 climate summit
- Fans immerse themselves in Marina Abramovic's first China exhibition
- Israel says conducting review after UN peacekeepers wounded in Lebanon
- 'Party atmosphere': Skygazers treated to another aurora show
- Djokovic 'overwhelmed' after 'greatest rival' Nadal's retirement
- Zelensky in Berlin says hopes war with Russia will end next year
- Kyrgyzstan opens rare probe into glacier destruction
- European Mediterranean states discuss Middle East, migration
- Djokovic proves staying power as progresses to Shanghai semi-finals
- Hurricane Milton leaves at least 16 dead as Florida cleans up
- Britain face 'ultimate challenge' in America's Cup duel with New Zealand
- Lebanon calls for 'immediate' ceasefire in Israel-Hezbollah war
- Nihon Hidankyo: Japan's A-bomb survivors awarded Nobel
- Thunberg leads pro-Palestinian, climate protest in Milan
- Boat captain rescued clinging to cooler in Gulf of Mexico after storm Milton
- Tears, warnings after Japan atomic survivors group win Nobel
- 'Unspeakable horror': the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- Stock markets diverge before China weekend briefing
- Christian villagers 'trapped' in south Lebanon crossfire
- Sabalenka sets up Gauff showdown in Wuhan semis
- EU questions shopping app Temu over illegal products risk
- Kim Sei-young holds lead with late birdies at LPGA Shanghai
- Toulouse welcome Dupont 'boost' as Olympic star returns to Top 14
- Japanese atomic bomb survivor group Nihon Hidankyo wins Nobel Peace Prize
- Deadly Israeli strike on Beirut likely targeted Hezbollah security chief
- Bangladesh Islamist chief backs crimes against humanity trial for ex-PM
- Everest climber's remains believed found after 100 years
- 20 Pakistan coal miners shot dead in attack
- Clashes on South China Sea, Ukraine dominate Asia summit
- Han Kang's books sell out in South Korea after Nobel win
- Zelensky meets Pope, Scholz as whirlwind Europe tour ends
- Hello Hallyu: why is South Korean culture sweeping the globe?
- UK economy rebounds in August in boost to new govt
- Voice of Japan's beloved robot cat 'Doraemon' dies
- Shanghai markets sink ahead of briefing on mixed day for Asia
US stocks rise on rate hopes as gold hits record high
US and European stock markets rose Wednesday and gold hit a record high as the Federal Reserve kept alive expectations of rate cuts later this year and the British government unveiled a pro-growth budget.
In volatile trading, gold touched 2,150, well above its previous high of $2,141.79 as expectations of lower interests rates hurt the dollar.
US stocks had slipped earlier this week as investors locked in profits ahead of Wednesday's congressional testimony of Fed chief Jerome Powell.
While Powell said in prepared remarks that "if the economy evolves broadly as expected, it will likely be appropriate to begin dialing back policy restraint at some point this year," though he did add that bringing down inflation was "not assured."
That was enough to give market participants hope that the central bank could start reducing interest rates in June, though it appeared to rule out a cut at March's policy making committee.
"Equities have dusted themselves down after yesterday’s sudden drop, relieved that Powell’s testimony to US lawmakers has so far not revealed any unpleasant surprises," said Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG.
More indications about the interest rate outlook will come Friday with the release of non-farm payrolls.
Joe Mazzola, an analyst at Charles Schwab, said regardless of the rate outlook, stocks appear well supported.
On "Tuesday, the last half hour featured a comeback, which suggests there's buying interest near the lows and potentially puts things on more solid footing," he said. "The market builds in strong chances of a first rate cut by June or July." Eurozone stocks advanced though less strongly than US markets as investors eyed Thursday's monetary policy decision from the European Central Bank.
The ECB is expected to keep its rates steady but may give clues about its future intentions.
London equities climbed as finance minister Jeremy Hunt announced a fresh tax cut for millions of workers ahead of a general election expected this year.
"The direct result of Jeremy Hunt's widespread tax cuts will be higher disposable income, meaning we could see higher GDP growth in the short term," Mahmoud Alkudsi, senior market strategist at ADSS.
"The equity market could rally if we see tangible evidence of these tax cuts boosting consumer spending and GDP growth," Alkudsi said.
- Bitcoin, oil -
Bitcoin eased somewhat, a day after a record-breaking run, while gold marched to record heights.
Bitcoin stood at $66,882 following Tuesday's record pinnacle of $69,191.
The world's biggest cryptocurrency has soared this week on tight supplies and moves towards making bitcoin investment more accessible.
World oil prices gained ground on rising risk appetite and signs of strong US energy demand, dealers said.
- Key figures around 1640 GMT -
London - FTSE 100: UP 0.4 percent at 7,679.31 points (close)
Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.3 percent at 7,954.74 (close)
Frankfurt - DAX: UP 0.1 percent at 17,716.71 (close)
EURO STOXX 50: UP 0.5 percent at 4,915.49 (close)
New York - Dow: UP 0.6 percent at 38,828.70 points
New York - S&P 500: UP 0.8 percent at 5,119.93 points
New York - Nasdaq Composite: UP 0.8 percent at 16,071.54 points
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: FLAT at 40,090.78 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 1.7 percent at 16,438.09 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.3 percent at 3,039.93 (close)
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0914 from $1.0860 on Tuesday
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 149.28 yen from 149.97 yen
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2759 from $1.2707
Euro/pound: UP at 85.43 pence from 85.44 pence
Brent North Sea Crude: UP 2.0 percent at $83.71 per barrel
West Texas Intermediate: UP 2.7 percent at $80.23 per barrel
burs-rfj-gv/cw
O.Norris--AMWN