This is our weekly market update, where we start in the UK, cross to Europe and Asia, and end in Australia, covering commodities and crypto along the way. And yes folks, this is a dense data-rich show, so be warned!
On Friday, global stocks slipped, finishing the week lower amid U.S. election jitters, while oil prices rose due to concerns about fighting in the Middle East. Israel hit back with further if somewhat restrained strikes on military targets in Iran overnight, so that may change sentiment next week, we will see.
Republican former President Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris are polling neck-and-neck in crucial swing states ahead of the Nov. 5 election. Investors are anxious about a contested result roiling world markets and unleashing fresh geopolitical uncertainty.
But a rally in stocks faded as banks dragged down the broader market despite gains in tech shares. And bitcoin slumped after a news report that federal investigators are probing cryptocurrency firm Tether.
As the earnings season rolled in, traders also braced for the US presidential election and key economic data — including next week’s jobs report — for clues on the scope for Federal Reserve rate cuts. We are coming up to a couple of pivotal weeks which could well shape the markets for months ahead.
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