Does the stock market perform better during certain months of the year? In this News by Numbers report, we break down the historical seasonal performance of the S&P 500, revealing which months have consistently delivered the strongest returns—and which have historically underperformed.

Using decades of market data, we examine how seasonal trends have influenced Wall Street, investor sentiment, and long-term investment strategies. While history does not guarantee future performance, these patterns provide valuable insight into how the market has behaved over time.

S&P 500 Seasonal Trends: Which months deliver the best Stock Market Returns?

The American stock market isn't just an investment vehicle anymore; it's becoming the country's de facto pension system. But how does that change everything in Washington's response to the next equity market crash? Let's decode. Gallup's April survey found 58 per cent of US adults own stock directly or through funds, and the wealthiest one per cent alone hold over 50 per cent of all corporate equities. That's not a niche investor class anymore. That's a voting bloc.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-impacts-the-rate-of-interest-for-personal-loan-across-different-lenders-1783604432936">What impacts the rate of interest for personal loan across different lenders</a> Now add Trump accounts to the mix; more than 500,000 children's accounts received their first $1,000 government deposit when trading launched on July 4th, with 6 million families already signed up. Wells Fargo estimates these accounts could funnel nearly $20 billion into markets this year alone. That is a permanent new buyer base, layered in from birth.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wall-street-becomes-america-s-retirement-fund-1783571247149/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/wall-street-becomes-america-s-retirement-fund-1783571247149/embed</a><h2>Why does this matter for crisis policy?</h2>Because social security is running out of runway. The retirement trust fund is projected to be depleted by the December quarter of 2032, just six years away. That is likely to trigger an automatic 22 per cent benefit cut if Congress does nothing. As the state safety net frays, the stock market is quietly stepping into its place. Put those two trends together of mass equity ownership plus a wobbling public pension system, and the political cost of a prolonged bear market becomes almost unbearable for any administration. That's the logic behind the theory gaining traction on trading desks.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oil-prices-jump-by-2-63-as-fresh-us-strikes-on-iran-shake-up-strait-of-hormuz-again-1783471599627">Fresh US-Iran strikes send oil prices soaring. Here's why markets are worried</a> So, the Federal Reserve could eventually buy equity ETFs directly in the next major downturn, following the precedent it set with corporate bond ETFs during the pandemic. Notably, that path has already been carved by Japan and China's central banks. Stock bears keep getting run over. And now we know why.

More than half of Americans now own stocks, Social Security's trust fund is projected to run dry by 2032, and millions of children have begun investing through Trump Accounts. Has Wall Street quietly become America's pension system, making future market bailouts almost inevitable? 

The American stock market isn't just an investment vehicle anymore; it's becoming the country's de facto pension system. But how does that change everything in Washington's response to the next equity market crash? Let's decode. Gallup's April survey found 58 per cent of US adults own stock directly or through funds, and the wealthiest one per cent alone hold over 50 per cent of all corporate equities. That's not a niche investor class anymore. That's a voting bloc. Also read | What impacts the rate of interest for personal loan across different lenders Now add Trump accounts to the mix; more than 500,000 children's accounts received their first $1,000 government deposit when trading launched on July 4th, with 6 million families already signed up. Wells Fargo estimates these accounts could funnel nearly $20 billion into markets this year alone. That is a permanent new buyer base, layered in from birth. https://www.wionews.com/videos/wall-street-becomes-america-s-retirement-fund-1783571247149/embed Why does this matter for crisis policy? Because social security is running out of runway. The retirement trust fund is projected to be depleted by the December quarter of 2032, just six years away. That is likely to trigger an automatic 22 per cent benefit cut if Congress does nothing. As the state safety net frays, the stock market is quietly stepping into its place. Put those two trends together of mass equity ownership plus a wobbling public pension system, and the political cost of a prolonged bear market becomes almost unbearable for any administration. That's the logic behind the theory gaining traction on trading desks. Also read | Fresh US-Iran strikes send oil prices soaring. Here's why markets are worried So, the Federal Reserve could eventually buy equity ETFs directly in the next major downturn, following the precedent it set with corporate bond ETFs during the pandemic. Notably, that path has already been carved by Japan and China's central banks. Stock bears keep getting run over. And now we know why.

More than half of Americans now own stocks, Social Security's trust fund is projected to run dry by 2032, and millions of children have begun investing through Trump Accounts. Has Wall Street quietly become America's pension system, making future market bailouts almost inevitable?&nbsp;

Too political to fail? The real reason America can't afford another Wall Street crash

Wall Street is poised to extend its record-breaking rally into the coming week. U.S. benchmarks hit record closing highs on Friday and posted weekly and monthly gains.


Wall Street's Record Rally Set to Continue 

Democrats on Friday (May 15) accused Donald Trump of corruption following the disclosure of major stock market transactions carried out in his name, while his son Eric Trump denied any wrongdoing. "The President's corruption is a national security disaster," Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote on X. Warren specifically pointed to the purchase of shares in NVIDIA, the semiconductor giant known for producing advanced AI chips. Trump recently permitted Nvidia to continue selling products to China, a move that temporarily boosted the company’s stock price. "Trump brought the NVIDIA CEO on his trip to China to lobby (Chinese President) Xi Jinping to buy advanced AI chips, even though it would create a US national security threat," Warren also wrote. "It turns out Trump also bought millions in NVIDIA's stock."&nbsp;Eric Trump rejected the allegations and defended the family’s financial practices. "All of our assets are invested in a blind trust by the largest financial institutions in broad market indexes. To suggest that individual stocks are being bought or sold, at the discretion of any member of the Trump family, would be a lie and blatantly false," Eric Trump wrote on X. Although Eric Trump does not hold an official government position, he accompanied the president on his visit to China this week.Jensen Huang also joined the trip alongside the US delegation. Meanwhile, JB Pritzker sharply criticized Trump, calling him "the most corrupt president in American history" in a post on X.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-high-value-target-us-charges-iran-backed-militia-commander-over-plotting-attacks-on-jews-1778885764100">'High-value target': US charges Iran-backed militia commander over plotting attacks on Jewish sites</a>&nbsp;Since returning to the office, Trump has transferred management of the Trump Organization to his sons, though critics argue the administration has adopted looser ethical standards compared to his first term. During his previous presidency, Trump imposed a moratorium on the family’s foreign investments, but he did not renew the restriction after returning to power. The Trump Organization recently announced plans to build a hotel complex in Tbilisi, Georgia.&nbsp;Trump has also faced scrutiny for hosting diplomatic events at his private properties, further fueling concerns about conflicts of interest. Documents released Thursday under Trump’s name detailed financial transactions worth more than $200 million involving major corporations, including Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Boeing. According to Forbes, Trump’s personal fortune reached an estimated $6.5 billion in March 2026, marking an increase of $1.4 billion within a year.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sleep-too-much-your-organs-may-age-faster-oversleeping-could-be-speeding-up-ageing-1778870744536/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/sleep-too-much-your-organs-may-age-faster-oversleeping-could-be-speeding-up-ageing-1778870744536/embed</a>

Democrats accuse Donald Trump of corruption over disclosed stock trades involving Nvidia and major companies, while Eric Trump denies wrongdoing

Democrats on Friday (May 15) accused Donald Trump of corruption following the disclosure of major stock market transactions carried out in his name, while his son Eric Trump denied any wrongdoing. "The President's corruption is a national security disaster," Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote on X. Warren specifically pointed to the purchase of shares in NVIDIA, the semiconductor giant known for producing advanced AI chips. Trump recently permitted Nvidia to continue selling products to China, a move that temporarily boosted the company’s stock price. "Trump brought the NVIDIA CEO on his trip to China to lobby (Chinese President) Xi Jinping to buy advanced AI chips, even though it would create a US national security threat," Warren also wrote. "It turns out Trump also bought millions in NVIDIA's stock." Eric Trump rejected the allegations and defended the family’s financial practices. "All of our assets are invested in a blind trust by the largest financial institutions in broad market indexes. To suggest that individual stocks are being bought or sold, at the discretion of any member of the Trump family, would be a lie and blatantly false," Eric Trump wrote on X. Although Eric Trump does not hold an official government position, he accompanied the president on his visit to China this week. Jensen Huang also joined the trip alongside the US delegation. Meanwhile, JB Pritzker sharply criticized Trump, calling him "the most corrupt president in American history" in a post on X. Also Read: 'High-value target': US charges Iran-backed militia commander over plotting attacks on Jewish sites Since returning to the office, Trump has transferred management of the Trump Organization to his sons, though critics argue the administration has adopted looser ethical standards compared to his first term. During his previous presidency, Trump imposed a moratorium on the family’s foreign investments, but he did not renew the restriction after returning to power. The Trump Organization recently announced plans to build a hotel complex in Tbilisi, Georgia. Trump has also faced scrutiny for hosting diplomatic events at his private properties, further fueling concerns about conflicts of interest. Documents released Thursday under Trump’s name detailed financial transactions worth more than $200 million involving major corporations, including Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Boeing. According to Forbes, Trump’s personal fortune reached an estimated $6.5 billion in March 2026, marking an increase of $1.4 billion within a year. https://www.wionews.com/videos/sleep-too-much-your-organs-may-age-faster-oversleeping-could-be-speeding-up-ageing-1778870744536/embed

Democrats accused Donald Trump of corruption after the disclosure of major stock trades, while Eric Trump denied any improper conduct

'National security disaster': Democrats accuse Trump of corruption over stock market transactions

Global stock markets surged on Thursday (May 14), with major Wall Street indices reaching fresh record highs as investor enthusiasm around artificial intelligence and technology stocks continued to fuel market momentum. The rally was led by strong gains in the tech sector, with Cisco Systems soaring 13.4 per cent after raising its earnings outlook. Semiconductor startup Cerebras Systems also made a powerful Nasdaq debut, surging 68.2 per cent during its first trading session. &nbsp;All three major US stock indices closed firmly higher, with the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq Composite ending at record highs.&nbsp;Investor attention also focused on Beijing, where Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed US President Donald Trump with a grand state ceremony at the Great Hall of the People. The event featured military honors, a 21-gun salute, and schoolchildren chanting “Welcome!” as Trump attended the official reception. Speaking during the visit, Trump said the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before. However, Xi also delivered a warning regarding Taiwan.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-fuel-prices-hiked-petrol-diesel-prices-jump-by-rs-3-per-litre-as-fuel-costs-surge-1778807845685">India fuel prices hiked: Petrol, diesel prices jump Rs 3 despite govt’s ‘ample stock’ claim</a>&nbsp;"If mishandled, the two nations could collide or even come into conflict, pushing the entire China-US relationship into a highly perilous situation," Xi said, according to Chinese state media. Markets were also watching for signs of progress toward a potential US-Iran agreement that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route affected by tensions following the US-Iran conflict. Trump told Fox News that Xi had offered China's assistance in reopening the Hormuz Strait and had pledged not to provide military equipment to Iran. Oil prices fluctuated throughout the day before ending slightly higher.&nbsp;European markets also ended the session in positive territory. London stocks gained 0.5 percent after data showed the UK economy had a solid start to the year, though geopolitical tensions and domestic political uncertainty continued to weigh on sentiment. The British pound weakened against both the U.S. dollar and the euro as pressure mounted on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. British Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned, while Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham launched a bid to return to Parliament, fueling speculation about growing political unrest within the UK government.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-austerity-measures-leaders-across-india-emulate-pm-modi-s-austerity-measures-1778809516872/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-austerity-measures-leaders-across-india-emulate-pm-modi-s-austerity-measures-1778809516872/embed</a>&nbsp;Elsewhere in Europe, Frankfurt climbed more than one percent while Paris gained 0.9 percent, supported by strength in technology shares. In Asia, markets delivered mixed performances, with Shanghai and Tokyo closing lower while Hong Kong ended the day flat.<h2>Key figures at around 2015&nbsp;GMT (1:45 AM IST)</h2><ul><li>Brent North Sea Crude:&nbsp;UP 0.1 percent at 105.72 a barrel</li><li>West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.2 percent at 101.17 a barrel</li><li>New York - DOW: UP 0.8 percent at 50,063.46 (close)</li><li>New York - S&amp;P 500: UP 0.8 percent at 7,501.24 (close)</li><li>New York - Nasdaq Composite: UP 0.9 percent at 26,635.22 (close)</li><li>London - FTSE 100: UP 0.5 percent at 10,372.93 (close)</li><li>Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.9 percent at 8,082.27 (close)</li><li>Frankfurt - DAX 30: UP 1.3 percent at 24,456.26 (close)</li><li>Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.0 percent at 62,654.05 (close)</li><li>Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: FLAT at 26,389.04 (close)</li><li>Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 1.5 percent at 4,177.92&nbsp;(close)</li><li>Pound/dollar: DOWN at 1.3400 from $1.3523 on Wednesday</li><li>Euro/pound: UP at 87.09 pence from 86.61 pence</li><li>Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1673 from $1.1711</li><li>Dollar/yen: UP at 158.33 yen from 157.86&nbsp;yen</li></ul>

Wall Street surged to record highs on a tech rally as Donald Trump and Xi Jinping held major talks in Beijing amid global tensions

Global stock markets surged on Thursday (May 14), with major Wall Street indices reaching fresh record highs as investor enthusiasm around artificial intelligence and technology stocks continued to fuel market momentum. The rally was led by strong gains in the tech sector, with Cisco Systems soaring 13.4 per cent after raising its earnings outlook. Semiconductor startup Cerebras Systems also made a powerful Nasdaq debut, surging 68.2 per cent during its first trading session. All three major US stock indices closed firmly higher, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite ending at record highs. Investor attention also focused on Beijing, where Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed US President Donald Trump with a grand state ceremony at the Great Hall of the People. The event featured military honors, a 21-gun salute, and schoolchildren chanting “Welcome!” as Trump attended the official reception. Speaking during the visit, Trump said the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before. However, Xi also delivered a warning regarding Taiwan. Also Read: India fuel prices hiked: Petrol, diesel prices jump Rs 3 despite govt’s ‘ample stock’ claim "If mishandled, the two nations could collide or even come into conflict, pushing the entire China-US relationship into a highly perilous situation," Xi said, according to Chinese state media. Markets were also watching for signs of progress toward a potential US-Iran agreement that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route affected by tensions following the US-Iran conflict. Trump told Fox News that Xi had offered China's assistance in reopening the Hormuz Strait and had pledged not to provide military equipment to Iran. Oil prices fluctuated throughout the day before ending slightly higher. European markets also ended the session in positive territory. London stocks gained 0.5 percent after data showed the UK economy had a solid start to the year, though geopolitical tensions and domestic political uncertainty continued to weigh on sentiment. The British pound weakened against both the U.S. dollar and the euro as pressure mounted on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. British Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned, while Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham launched a bid to return to Parliament, fueling speculation about growing political unrest within the UK government. https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-austerity-measures-leaders-across-india-emulate-pm-modi-s-austerity-measures-1778809516872/embed Elsewhere in Europe, Frankfurt climbed more than one percent while Paris gained 0.9 percent, supported by strength in technology shares. In Asia, markets delivered mixed performances, with Shanghai and Tokyo closing lower while Hong Kong ended the day flat. Key figures at around 2015 GMT (1:45 AM IST) Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.1 percent at 105.72 a barrel West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.2 percent at 101.17 a barrel New York - DOW: UP 0.8 percent at 50,063.46 (close) New York - S&P 500: UP 0.8 percent at 7,501.24 (close) New York - Nasdaq Composite: UP 0.9 percent at 26,635.22 (close) London - FTSE 100: UP 0.5 percent at 10,372.93 (close) Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.9 percent at 8,082.27 (close) Frankfurt - DAX 30: UP 1.3 percent at 24,456.26 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.0 percent at 62,654.05 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: FLAT at 26,389.04 (close) Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 1.5 percent at 4,177.92 (close) Pound/dollar: DOWN at 1.3400 from $1.3523 on Wednesday Euro/pound: UP at 87.09 pence from 86.61 pence Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1673 from $1.1711 Dollar/yen: UP at 158.33 yen from 157.86 yen

Wall Street hit record highs as tech stocks rallied while Donald Trump and Xi Jinping held high-stakes talks in Beijing amid global tensions

Trump-Xi Summit: Wall Street hits record highs as tech and AI stocks power markets

Wall Street closed at record highs on Wednesday (Apr 15), extending an upward climb on optimism about an accord in the US-Iran conflict that has now killed more than 3,000 people in Iran since the war began on February 28. The S&amp;P 500 closed above 7,000 points for the first time, finishing up 0.8 per cent at 7,022.95. The Nasdaq Composite crossed 24,000 for the first time, gaining 1.6 per cent to end at 24,016.02. The Dow Jones was the outlier, slipping 0.2 per cent to 48,463.72, a modest drag that did little to dampen the day's overall mood.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hezbollah-ceasefire-lebanon-truce-could-come-this-week-report-1776301299628">Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire: Trump says Israeli, Lebanon leaders will speak on Thursday' as reports suggest truce could come 'this week'</a><h2>Markets 'growing increasingly confident' amid truce hopes</h2>The upward climb was driven by two things: solid earnings from major US banks, which signalled that consumers and credit markets remain in reasonable health, and growing confidence, albeit tentative, that the US-Iran conflict may be moving toward some kind of resolution."Markets are growing increasingly confident that tensions in the Middle East may be heading toward some form of resolution," said Fawad Razaqzada of FOREX.com, though he added that it "still feels a touch premature to be pricing in a smooth resolution."It comes as White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that further talks between the two sides "would very likely" be held in Pakistan, adding that the administration "feels good about the prospects of a deal." Iran's foreign ministry, according to AFP, said "several messages" had been exchanged through Islamabad since negotiations wrapped up without agreement over the weekend.Iran's military, meanwhile, warned Wednesday that it would move to block trade through the Red Sea, the Gulf, and the Sea of Oman if the US naval blockade on Iranian ports continues.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-be-careful-pope-has-a-doctorate-in-theology-but-jd-vance-just-told-him-he-s-wrong-about-god-1776229084645">'Be careful...': Pope has a doctorate in theology, but JD Vance just told him he’s wrong about God</a><h2>Federal Reserve flags 'uncertainity'</h2>The Federal Reserve, in its "beige book" survey of economic conditions released Wednesday, said that "The conflict in the Middle East was cited as a major source of uncertainty that complicated decision-making around hiring, pricing, and capital investment." Many firms were "adopting a wait-and-see posture," it added.Human cost of war continues to climbMeanwhile, the human cost of the war continued to climb. A senior Iranian medical official told the press last week that more than 3,000 people had been killed in Iran since the conflict began, with over 26,500 injured. The official did not break down the figures between civilian and military casualties. On the other side, at least 36 deaths and 7,693 injuries have been recorded in Israel. In the US, 13 killed, 365 injured since February 28.<h2>Key figures at 2020 GMT&nbsp;</h2>Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.2 per cent at $94.93 a barrelWest Texas Intermediate: UP less than 0.1 per cent at $92.29 a barrelNew York - Dow Jones: DOWN 0.2 per cent at 48,463.72 (close)New York - S&amp;P 500: UP 0.8 per cent at 7,022.95 (close)New York - Nasdaq Composite: UP 1.6 per cent at 24,016.02 (close)London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.5 per cent at 10,559.58 (close)Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.6 per cent at 8,274.57 (close)Frankfurt - DAX: UP 0.1 per cent at 24,066.70 (close)Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.4 per cent at 58,134.24 (close)Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.3 per cent at 25,947.32 (close)Shanghai - Composite: FLAT at 4,027.21 (close)Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1801 from $1.1796 on TuesdayPound/dollar: UP at $1.3570 from $1.3567Dollar/yen: UP at 158.97 yen from 158.79 yenEuro/pound: UP at 86.95 pence from 86.94 pence &nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.&nbsp;

Markets rally even as the Iran war continues and the death toll continues to climb. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite hit record highs as investors bet the conflict may be nearing a deal.

Scroll down to read more.

Wall Street closed at record highs on Wednesday (Apr 15), extending an upward climb on optimism about an accord in the US-Iran conflict that has now killed more than 3,000 people in Iran since the war began on February 28. The S&P 500 closed above 7,000 points for the first time, finishing up 0.8 per cent at 7,022.95. The Nasdaq Composite crossed 24,000 for the first time, gaining 1.6 per cent to end at 24,016.02. The Dow Jones was the outlier, slipping 0.2 per cent to 48,463.72, a modest drag that did little to dampen the day's overall mood. Also read | Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire: Trump says Israeli, Lebanon leaders will speak on Thursday' as reports suggest truce could come 'this week' Markets 'growing increasingly confident' amid truce hopes The upward climb was driven by two things: solid earnings from major US banks, which signalled that consumers and credit markets remain in reasonable health, and growing confidence, albeit tentative, that the US-Iran conflict may be moving toward some kind of resolution. "Markets are growing increasingly confident that tensions in the Middle East may be heading toward some form of resolution," said Fawad Razaqzada of FOREX.com, though he added that it "still feels a touch premature to be pricing in a smooth resolution." It comes as White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that further talks between the two sides "would very likely" be held in Pakistan, adding that the administration "feels good about the prospects of a deal." Iran's foreign ministry, according to AFP, said "several messages" had been exchanged through Islamabad since negotiations wrapped up without agreement over the weekend. Iran's military, meanwhile, warned Wednesday that it would move to block trade through the Red Sea, the Gulf, and the Sea of Oman if the US naval blockade on Iranian ports continues. Also read | 'Be careful...': Pope has a doctorate in theology, but JD Vance just told him he’s wrong about God Federal Reserve flags 'uncertainity' The Federal Reserve, in its "beige book" survey of economic conditions released Wednesday, said that "The conflict in the Middle East was cited as a major source of uncertainty that complicated decision-making around hiring, pricing, and capital investment." Many firms were "adopting a wait-and-see posture," it added. Human cost of war continues to climb Meanwhile, the human cost of the war continued to climb. A senior Iranian medical official told the press last week that more than 3,000 people had been killed in Iran since the conflict began, with over 26,500 injured. The official did not break down the figures between civilian and military casualties. On the other side, at least 36 deaths and 7,693 injuries have been recorded in Israel. In the US, 13 killed, 365 injured since February 28. Key figures at 2020 GMT Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.2 per cent at $94.93 a barrel West Texas Intermediate: UP less than 0.1 per cent at $92.29 a barrel New York - Dow Jones: DOWN 0.2 per cent at 48,463.72 (close) New York - S&P 500: UP 0.8 per cent at 7,022.95 (close) New York - Nasdaq Composite: UP 1.6 per cent at 24,016.02 (close) London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.5 per cent at 10,559.58 (close) Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.6 per cent at 8,274.57 (close) Frankfurt - DAX: UP 0.1 per cent at 24,066.70 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.4 per cent at 58,134.24 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.3 per cent at 25,947.32 (close) Shanghai - Composite: FLAT at 4,027.21 (close) Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1801 from $1.1796 on Tuesday Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3570 from $1.3567 Dollar/yen: UP at 158.97 yen from 158.79 yen Euro/pound: UP at 86.95 pence from 86.94 pence Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Markets rally even as the Iran war continues and the death toll continues to climb. The S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq Composite hit record highs as investors bet the conflict may be nearing a deal.Scroll down to read more.

Markets hit record high, S&P 500 hits 7,000 for first time as Iran war death toll continues to climb

The S&amp;P 500 did something remarkable on Tuesday (April 7). It erased all its losses and turned green, not after a peace deal, not after a ceasefire, not even after a formal negotiation. It turned out because of a request. A request from Pakistan asking Donald Trump to extend his 8 pm deadline on Iran by two weeks. Both sides said they were ‘reviewing the proposal’. That was enough. No agreement. No resolution. Just the possibility of delay. And the market flipped.<h2>This isn’t normal market behaviour</h2>Markets are supposed to move on fundamentals, earnings, growth, inflation, interest rates. Even geopolitics, historically, needed events to trigger sustained reactions: invasions, sanctions, treaties. But this wasn’t an event. This was a signal.A sentence. A hint that a deadline might not be as hard as it sounded hours earlier. And suddenly, fear evaporated, at least for the day.<h2>The pattern is becoming familiar</h2>Watch closely, and a pattern begins to emerge. First, the escalation. Trump sets a hard deadline, wraps it in dramatic language, and raises the stakes around Iran. The message is clear: act, or face consequences. Markets react the only way they know how, by pricing in risk. They fall. Then, the intervention. A third party, this time Pakistan, steps in. Diplomacy enters the picture. Words like ‘extension’, ‘review’, and ‘backchannel’ begin to circulate. Nothing concrete changes, but the tone shifts. And then, the reversal. Markets recover. Sometimes sharply. Because the worst-case scenario, however briefly, feels less immediate. This is not a one-off reaction. It is a loop. Threat. Panic. Relief. Repeat.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-donald-trump-took-the-us-into-war-with-iran-inside-the-white-house-decision-1775596078039">How Donald Trump took the US into war with Iran: Inside the White House decision</a><h2>The rise of the ‘Trump signal’</h2>What we are witnessing is something deeper than volatility. It is the emergence of what traders quietly understand as a signal-driven market. The signal, increasingly, is Trump himself. A deadline is not just a diplomatic tool; it is a market-moving variable. A tweet, a statement, a press briefing, each carries weight far beyond politics. They create micro-cycles of fear and relief that ripple across trillions of dollars. The market, in this case, did not wait for clarity. It moved on to probability. Not peace, but the chance of postponement.&nbsp;Here’s where it gets uncomfortable. Volatility, once seen as chaos, is starting to look… predictable. When markets fall on escalation and rise on de-escalation hints, a rhythm begins to form. And rhythm, in financial markets, is not just observed, it is traded.Those who recognize the pattern can position themselves accordingly:<ul><li>Exit when rhetoric spikes</li><li>Re-enter when diplomacy whispers</li></ul>No conspiracy is required. No master plan needs to be proven. All that is needed is a repeated structure, and participants who learn to anticipate it.<h2>Who really benefits?</h2>This is the question that lingers beneath the surface. Because while ordinary investors react, larger players often anticipate. Hedge funds, institutional desks, and algorithmic systems thrive on patterns. They don’t need certainty. They need signals with history. And if geopolitical rhetoric begins to behave like a cycle, then it stops being just a risk. It becomes an opportunity. At the same time, political incentives align in their own way. Strong rhetoric energizes a base. Crisis language dominates media cycles. A leader appears decisive, in control, central to the unfolding drama.The battlefield is not just geographic anymore. It is informational.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/artemis-ii-mission-trump-speaks-to-artemis-ii-crew-after-historic-moon-flyby-1775547915916/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/artemis-ii-mission-trump-speaks-to-artemis-ii-crew-after-historic-moon-flyby-1775547915916/embed</a><h2>The bigger question</h2>At what point does this stop being a reaction and start becoming a dependence? When markets begin to hinge on the words of one leader, when trillions move on tone rather than outcome, the system itself begins to shift. Is this just modern geopolitics in a hyper-connected world? Or are we entering an era where crisis is not just managed, but priced in as a recurring feature?<h2>The final thought</h2>Maybe this isn’t a conspiracy. Maybe it’s something more complex and more troubling. A system where chaos has a pattern. A market that has learned the rhythm of fear. And a world where, sometimes, all it takes to move trillions is not action, but the suggestion that action can wait.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

S&P 500 rebounds after Pakistan seeks Trump deadline extension on Iran

The S&P 500 did something remarkable on Tuesday (April 7). It erased all its losses and turned green, not after a peace deal, not after a ceasefire, not even after a formal negotiation. It turned out because of a request. A request from Pakistan asking Donald Trump to extend his 8 pm deadline on Iran by two weeks. Both sides said they were ‘reviewing the proposal’. That was enough. No agreement. No resolution. Just the possibility of delay. And the market flipped. This isn’t normal market behaviour Markets are supposed to move on fundamentals, earnings, growth, inflation, interest rates. Even geopolitics, historically, needed events to trigger sustained reactions: invasions, sanctions, treaties. But this wasn’t an event. This was a signal. A sentence. A hint that a deadline might not be as hard as it sounded hours earlier. And suddenly, fear evaporated, at least for the day. The pattern is becoming familiar Watch closely, and a pattern begins to emerge. First, the escalation. Trump sets a hard deadline, wraps it in dramatic language, and raises the stakes around Iran. The message is clear: act, or face consequences. Markets react the only way they know how, by pricing in risk. They fall. Then, the intervention. A third party, this time Pakistan, steps in. Diplomacy enters the picture. Words like ‘extension’, ‘review’, and ‘backchannel’ begin to circulate. Nothing concrete changes, but the tone shifts. And then, the reversal. Markets recover. Sometimes sharply. Because the worst-case scenario, however briefly, feels less immediate. This is not a one-off reaction. It is a loop. Threat. Panic. Relief. Repeat. Also Read: How Donald Trump took the US into war with Iran: Inside the White House decision The rise of the ‘Trump signal’ What we are witnessing is something deeper than volatility. It is the emergence of what traders quietly understand as a signal-driven market. The signal, increasingly, is Trump himself. A deadline is not just a diplomatic tool; it is a market-moving variable. A tweet, a statement, a press briefing, each carries weight far beyond politics. They create micro-cycles of fear and relief that ripple across trillions of dollars. The market, in this case, did not wait for clarity. It moved on to probability. Not peace, but the chance of postponement. Here’s where it gets uncomfortable. Volatility, once seen as chaos, is starting to look… predictable. When markets fall on escalation and rise on de-escalation hints, a rhythm begins to form. And rhythm, in financial markets, is not just observed, it is traded. Those who recognize the pattern can position themselves accordingly: Exit when rhetoric spikes Re-enter when diplomacy whispers No conspiracy is required. No master plan needs to be proven. All that is needed is a repeated structure, and participants who learn to anticipate it. Who really benefits? This is the question that lingers beneath the surface. Because while ordinary investors react, larger players often anticipate. Hedge funds, institutional desks, and algorithmic systems thrive on patterns. They don’t need certainty. They need signals with history. And if geopolitical rhetoric begins to behave like a cycle, then it stops being just a risk. It becomes an opportunity. At the same time, political incentives align in their own way. Strong rhetoric energizes a base. Crisis language dominates media cycles. A leader appears decisive, in control, central to the unfolding drama. The battlefield is not just geographic anymore. It is informational. https://www.wionews.com/videos/artemis-ii-mission-trump-speaks-to-artemis-ii-crew-after-historic-moon-flyby-1775547915916/embed The bigger question At what point does this stop being a reaction and start becoming a dependence? When markets begin to hinge on the words of one leader, when trillions move on tone rather than outcome, the system itself begins to shift. Is this just modern geopolitics in a hyper-connected world? Or are we entering an era where crisis is not just managed, but priced in as a recurring feature? The final thought Maybe this isn’t a conspiracy. Maybe it’s something more complex and more troubling. A system where chaos has a pattern. A market that has learned the rhythm of fear. And a world where, sometimes, all it takes to move trillions is not action, but the suggestion that action can wait. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

S&amp;P 500 rebounds after Pakistan seeks a delay of two weeks in Trump’s Iran deadline, highlighting how geopolitical signals are driving market swings

US stocks tumbled at the opening bell on Monday (March 9), wiping out more than $900 billion in market value in early trading as investors reacted to a sharp surge in oil prices and rising geopolitical tensions. Crude oil briefly rose above $100 per barrel, fueling fears that the expanding Middle East conflict could drive inflation higher and weigh on global economic growth. According to reports from Reuters and Yahoo Finance, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 800 points shortly after the market opened, while the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq also dropped sharply as investors moved to reduce risk exposure.&nbsp;&nbsp;Travel and banking stocks led the declines, with major airline and cruise companies posting steep losses. Energy stocks, however, held up better as higher oil prices supported the sector. The spike in oil prices is being driven by instability linked to the widening Iran conflict, which has disrupted supply expectations and pushed global markets into risk-off mode. Investors are now closely watching whether oil prices continue to climb and whether renewed inflation pressures could force central banks to delay anticipated interest-rate cuts.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anthropic-sues-pentagon-over-ai-warfare-dispute-seeks-to-undo-supply-chain-risk-designation-1773072313870">Anthropic sues Pentagon over AI warfare dispute; seeks to undo 'supply chain risk' designation</a>&nbsp;Goldman Sachs analysts are warning that even a modest slowdown in economic growth could significantly impact corporate profits, highlighting rising risks for US equities as geopolitical tensions intensify. According to the bank’s analysts, a 1% decline in economic growth could reduce earnings for companies in the S&amp;P 500 by roughly 4%, underscoring how sensitive corporate profits are to changes in the broader economy.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/war-after-khamenei-mojtaba-khamenei-takes-power-as-us-israel-war-with-iran-escalates-1773076467980/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/war-after-khamenei-mojtaba-khamenei-takes-power-as-us-israel-war-with-iran-escalates-1773076467980/embed</a>&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

$900 Billion wiped out at opening bell as oil spike jolts Wall Street before markets rebound

US stocks tumbled at the opening bell on Monday (March 9), wiping out more than $900 billion in market value in early trading as investors reacted to a sharp surge in oil prices and rising geopolitical tensions. Crude oil briefly rose above $100 per barrel, fueling fears that the expanding Middle East conflict could drive inflation higher and weigh on global economic growth. According to reports from Reuters and Yahoo Finance, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 800 points shortly after the market opened, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also dropped sharply as investors moved to reduce risk exposure. Travel and banking stocks led the declines, with major airline and cruise companies posting steep losses. Energy stocks, however, held up better as higher oil prices supported the sector. The spike in oil prices is being driven by instability linked to the widening Iran conflict, which has disrupted supply expectations and pushed global markets into risk-off mode. Investors are now closely watching whether oil prices continue to climb and whether renewed inflation pressures could force central banks to delay anticipated interest-rate cuts. Also Read: Anthropic sues Pentagon over AI warfare dispute; seeks to undo 'supply chain risk' designation Goldman Sachs analysts are warning that even a modest slowdown in economic growth could significantly impact corporate profits, highlighting rising risks for US equities as geopolitical tensions intensify. According to the bank’s analysts, a 1% decline in economic growth could reduce earnings for companies in the S&P 500 by roughly 4%, underscoring how sensitive corporate profits are to changes in the broader economy. https://www.wionews.com/videos/war-after-khamenei-mojtaba-khamenei-takes-power-as-us-israel-war-with-iran-escalates-1773076467980/embed Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

US stocks dropped at the open, wiping out $900B as oil surged past $100 amid Middle East tensions, before markets attempted to stabilize

Wall Street stocks fell sharply early on Tuesday (March 3), extending a global market sell-off as investors grew concerned that a prolonged Middle East conflict could drive oil prices higher and fuel inflation. Around 20 minutes after the opening bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.2 per cent to 47,837.16. The broad S&amp;P 500 declined 1.9 percent to 6,749.42, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite slid 2.0 percent to 22,300.67.&nbsp;US equities had also opened lower on Monday but recovered through the session, as traders initially wagered that tensions would ease quickly without causing sustained increases in energy costs. By Tuesday (March 2), sentiment had shifted. "Overnight, what we realized was that this is not going away so quickly" and is "meeting the standards of having a broad geopolitical impact," said Steve Sosnick of Interactive Brokers.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-too-late-for-iran-to-trump-says-tehran-s-military-and-leadership-eliminated-1772545595964">'TOO LATE for Iran to...': Trump says Tehran's military and leadership eliminated</a>&nbsp;Oil prices climbed again after Iran targeted additional energy infrastructure. Drones hit a fuel tank in Oman, while debris from an intercepted drone struck an oil storage area in the UAE. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route for crude, remained largely empty.&nbsp;"US investors can only trust their positive psychology to some extent before they realize that, 'Wait a minute, if this is a problem for everyone else in the world, maybe this should be a problem here too,'" Sosnick said. We're talking about "something that could have an important inflationary impact," he added.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-israel-war-us-embassy-in-riyadh-warns-of-a-fresh-attack-1772551781542/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-israel-war-us-embassy-in-riyadh-warns-of-a-fresh-attack-1772551781542/embed</a>&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

US-Iran-Israel war: Dow falls 2.2% as geopolitical fear grip US markets

Wall Street stocks fell sharply early on Tuesday (March 3), extending a global market sell-off as investors grew concerned that a prolonged Middle East conflict could drive oil prices higher and fuel inflation. Around 20 minutes after the opening bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.2 per cent to 47,837.16. The broad S&P 500 declined 1.9 percent to 6,749.42, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite slid 2.0 percent to 22,300.67. US equities had also opened lower on Monday but recovered through the session, as traders initially wagered that tensions would ease quickly without causing sustained increases in energy costs. By Tuesday (March 2), sentiment had shifted. "Overnight, what we realized was that this is not going away so quickly" and is "meeting the standards of having a broad geopolitical impact," said Steve Sosnick of Interactive Brokers. Also Read: 'TOO LATE for Iran to...': Trump says Tehran's military and leadership eliminated Oil prices climbed again after Iran targeted additional energy infrastructure. Drones hit a fuel tank in Oman, while debris from an intercepted drone struck an oil storage area in the UAE. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route for crude, remained largely empty. "US investors can only trust their positive psychology to some extent before they realize that, 'Wait a minute, if this is a problem for everyone else in the world, maybe this should be a problem here too,'" Sosnick said. We're talking about "something that could have an important inflationary impact," he added. https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-israel-war-us-embassy-in-riyadh-warns-of-a-fresh-attack-1772551781542/embed Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Wall Street sinks as the ongoing Middle East tensions lift oil prices, raising fears of prolonged conflict and renewed inflation pressures

Iran-Israel war: Dow falls 2.2% as geopolitical fear grip US markets

Fact-first explanation of the immediate and medium-term effects on NVIDIA if a Chinese attack on Taiwan occurred today.

Fact-first explanation of the immediate and medium-term effects on NVIDIA if a Chinese attack on Taiwan occurred today.

What would happen to NVIDIA if China attacked Taiwan today? A factual breakdown of the worst case scenario

Beginning around 2022 and accelerating into 2024–25, artificial intelligence emerged as the primary focus of investors, tech firms and governments alike. 

Beginning around 2022 and accelerating into 2024–25, artificial intelligence emerged as the primary focus of investors, tech firms and governments alike.&nbsp;

'AI Bubble vs Dot-Com Crash': 7 data-backed similarities and differences

In its Q3 2025 report, Palantir posted revenue of $1.181 billion, up 63 per cent year-over-year, surpassing Wall Street estimates. Its commercial revenue in the US jumped 121 per cent in that quarter to $397 million. 

In its Q3 2025 report, Palantir posted revenue of $1.181 billion, up 63 per cent year-over-year, surpassing Wall Street estimates. Its commercial revenue in the US jumped 121 per cent in that quarter to $397 million.&nbsp;

'Customer US Army’: This AI stock jumped 118% in 2025

The phrase “Santa Claus Rally” was popularised by analyst Yale Hirsch in his Stock Trader’s Almanac around 1972. While the effect may date back to the 1920s, the consistent documentation begins post-1950.

The phrase “Santa Claus Rally” was popularised by analyst Yale Hirsch in his Stock Trader’s Almanac around 1972. While the effect may date back to the 1920s, the consistent documentation begins post-1950.

What is ‘Santa Claus Rally’ in stock market and is one coming this December?

As global markets continue to hover near record highs, a familiar question looms over investors: How long can the good times last? History suggests that what goes up can, and often does, come down. With major stock indices like the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq Composite trading at or near all-time highs, concerns are mounting that a correction or worse, a crash could be on the horizon in 2026.&nbsp;At the centre of these anxieties are two of the most respected valuation metrics in financial history: Warren Buffett’s “Buffett Indicator” and economist Robert Shiller’s “CAPE Ratio.” Both have previously signalled impending downturns with striking accuracy and both are flashing red again.<h3>Warren Buffett’s Warning Sign: The Market Cap-to-GDP Ratio</h3>More than two decades ago, legendary investor Warren Buffett called the ratio of total stock market capitalisation to a country’s gross national product (GNP) “probably the best single measure of where valuations stand at any given moment.” Over time, the GNP figure has been replaced with GDP, giving rise to what’s now known as the Buffett Indicator.&nbsp;In an article published by Fortune in 2001, Buffett cautioned that when this ratio approaches 200 per cent, investors are effectively “playing with fire.” His warning proved prescient. In 1999 and 2000, the indicator hovered near that level before the dot-com bubble burst, wiping trillions off market valuations and triggering a multiyear decline, especially in technology shares.&nbsp;The pattern repeated in 2022 when the Buffett Indicator again approached the 200 per cent mark. Within months, the S&amp;P 500 peaked and entered a bear market, losing over a quarter of its value at one point.Now, the same indicator stands at a record high, around 219 per cent, surpassing every previous reading. By Buffett’s own measure, this suggests that investors may once again be “playing with fire.”<h3>Robert Shiller’s CAPE Ratio: Another Red Flag</h3>Warren Buffett isn’t the only financial luminary whose name is attached to a valuation metric. Nobel Prize-winning Yale economist Robert Shiller co-developed the Cyclically Adjusted Price-to-Earnings ratio (CAPE), now widely known as the Shiller CAPE ratio.&nbsp;Unlike traditional price-to-earnings ratios, the CAPE smooths out the effects of short-term fluctuations by using inflation-adjusted earnings over the past decade. This provides a clearer picture of long-term market valuation.&nbsp;History has shown that elevated CAPE readings often precede major market downturns. A sharp spike in 1929 came just before the infamous Wall Street Crash. The ratio hit its highest-ever level in 1999, right before the dot-com collapse and surged again in late 2021, preceding the sharp declines of 2022.At present, the Shiller CAPE ratio is sitting at its second-highest level in history, a signal that has historically preceded significant corrections in the market.<h3>So, Is a 2026 Crash Inevitable?</h3>While both indicators are deeply unsettling, they are not flawless predictors. Economists and market historians caution against treating them as certainties. There are relatively few historical instances of both indicators hitting such extreme levels, making it difficult to draw statistically significant conclusions.&nbsp;Moreover, markets can remain overvalued for years. Former US Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan famously warned of “irrational exuberance” as early as 1996, yet the S&amp;P 500 nearly doubled before the eventual crash in 2000.&nbsp;That said, the combination of the Buffett Indicator at 219 per cent and the Shiller CAPE near record highs points undeniably to stretched valuations. It would be unwise to dismiss these signals entirely.<h3>How Investors Can Prepare</h3>A market downturn may not be imminent, but prudent investors are advised to take precautions. Diversifying portfolios, building cash reserves, and focusing on stocks with strong fundamentals and reasonable valuations can provide a buffer if volatility strikes.&nbsp;Above all, maintaining a long-term perspective remains essential. History shows that even after severe crashes, from 1929 to 2008, equity markets have always recovered, often setting new record highs in the years that followed.&nbsp;Whether 2026 marks another turning point remains uncertain. But as Buffett himself might say, now may be the time for investors to check their fire alarms.

More than two decades ago, legendary investor Warren Buffett called the ratio of total stock market capitalisation to a country’s gross national product (GNP) “probably the best single measure of where valuations stand at any given moment.” 

As global markets continue to hover near record highs, a familiar question looms over investors: How long can the good times last? History suggests that what goes up can, and often does, come down. With major stock indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite trading at or near all-time highs, concerns are mounting that a correction or worse, a crash could be on the horizon in 2026. At the centre of these anxieties are two of the most respected valuation metrics in financial history: Warren Buffett’s “Buffett Indicator” and economist Robert Shiller’s “CAPE Ratio.” Both have previously signalled impending downturns with striking accuracy and both are flashing red again. Warren Buffett’s Warning Sign: The Market Cap-to-GDP Ratio More than two decades ago, legendary investor Warren Buffett called the ratio of total stock market capitalisation to a country’s gross national product (GNP) “probably the best single measure of where valuations stand at any given moment.” Over time, the GNP figure has been replaced with GDP, giving rise to what’s now known as the Buffett Indicator. In an article published by Fortune in 2001, Buffett cautioned that when this ratio approaches 200 per cent, investors are effectively “playing with fire.” His warning proved prescient. In 1999 and 2000, the indicator hovered near that level before the dot-com bubble burst, wiping trillions off market valuations and triggering a multiyear decline, especially in technology shares. The pattern repeated in 2022 when the Buffett Indicator again approached the 200 per cent mark. Within months, the S&P 500 peaked and entered a bear market, losing over a quarter of its value at one point. Now, the same indicator stands at a record high, around 219 per cent, surpassing every previous reading. By Buffett’s own measure, this suggests that investors may once again be “playing with fire.” Robert Shiller’s CAPE Ratio: Another Red Flag Warren Buffett isn’t the only financial luminary whose name is attached to a valuation metric. Nobel Prize-winning Yale economist Robert Shiller co-developed the Cyclically Adjusted Price-to-Earnings ratio (CAPE), now widely known as the Shiller CAPE ratio. Unlike traditional price-to-earnings ratios, the CAPE smooths out the effects of short-term fluctuations by using inflation-adjusted earnings over the past decade. This provides a clearer picture of long-term market valuation. History has shown that elevated CAPE readings often precede major market downturns. A sharp spike in 1929 came just before the infamous Wall Street Crash. The ratio hit its highest-ever level in 1999, right before the dot-com collapse and surged again in late 2021, preceding the sharp declines of 2022. At present, the Shiller CAPE ratio is sitting at its second-highest level in history, a signal that has historically preceded significant corrections in the market. So, Is a 2026 Crash Inevitable? While both indicators are deeply unsettling, they are not flawless predictors. Economists and market historians caution against treating them as certainties. There are relatively few historical instances of both indicators hitting such extreme levels, making it difficult to draw statistically significant conclusions. Moreover, markets can remain overvalued for years. Former US Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan famously warned of “irrational exuberance” as early as 1996, yet the S&P 500 nearly doubled before the eventual crash in 2000. That said, the combination of the Buffett Indicator at 219 per cent and the Shiller CAPE near record highs points undeniably to stretched valuations. It would be unwise to dismiss these signals entirely. How Investors Can Prepare A market downturn may not be imminent, but prudent investors are advised to take precautions. Diversifying portfolios, building cash reserves, and focusing on stocks with strong fundamentals and reasonable valuations can provide a buffer if volatility strikes. Above all, maintaining a long-term perspective remains essential. History shows that even after severe crashes, from 1929 to 2008, equity markets have always recovered, often setting new record highs in the years that followed. Whether 2026 marks another turning point remains uncertain. But as Buffett himself might say, now may be the time for investors to check their fire alarms.

More than two decades ago, legendary investor Warren Buffett called the ratio of total stock market capitalisation to a country’s gross national product (GNP) “probably the best single measure of where valuations stand at any given moment.”&nbsp;

‘Playing with fire’: Is US stock market going to crash? Warren Buffet's indicator says yes..

The US stock market, Elon Musk’s Tesla, banks, and bitcoin are all storming higher Wednesday as investors bet on what Donald Trump’s return to the White House will mean for the economy and world. Watch this report for more details!

US Elections 2024: Wall Street Benchmarks Hit New Records, With Over 2% Gains

Lets turn our focus to the market volatility shock in the US. Last week's turbulence was driven more by market technicals and not a significant slowdown in the US economy. That bodes well for the future of US growth.

Focus on US stock market volatility shock

Now US regional bank stocks rally as deposits return the recovery in banking shares comes after Western Alliance Bank Corp. reported a deposits growth of over two billion dollars since April. Many analysts say that it is too soon to call an end to the banking crisis but one thing is clear, worries about the health of US regional lenders are definitely easing that was reflected in the strong recovery in US banking stocks.

US lawmakers says that the buck stops with banks

The US stock market suffered a huge loss of over $200 billion in value in extended trade on Thursday following a weak forecast from Amazon. The company had forecast a slowdown in sales growth for the holiday season, the latest in a string of downbeat quarterly reports from Big Tech companies.

Amazon announced that its net sales were $127.1 billion in the third quarter ending September 30, little lower than analysts' expectations of $127.46 billion, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.

For the holiday quarter, the world's biggest online retailer forecast net sales of between $140 billion and $148 billion, which were earlier expected to be around $155.15 billion.

Amazon's stock tumbled 17 per cent after the bell and wiped out $190 billion in market capitalization.&nbsp;

Even though Apple reported revenue and profit above Wall Street targets, its iPhone sales fell short of expectation. Its shares fell about one per cent, erasing about $30 billion of its stock market value. Phone sales for the company's fiscal fourth quarter rose to $42.6 billion, &nbsp;falling short of the estimated figure of $43.21 billion, according to Refinitiv IBES.

The poor quarterly results from some of Wall Street's biggest companies gives rise to worries about the health of the global economy as central banks raise interest rates in a battle against inflation.

"Big Tech companies are not impervious to slowdowns in the economy, particularly if they are consumer driven," Rick Meckler, a partner at Cherry Lane Investments in New Vernon, New Jersey, told Reuters.

"As the Fed embarks on this planned slowdown, it is eating away at some of their consumer-faced businesses, and given their high multiples it is causing big contractions in their stock prices," Meckler said.

Nasdaq futures tumbled about three per cent, sending signals that Wall Street might open with a deep decline on Friday. Google-owner Alphabet and Microsoft dropped about 1 per cent each, adding to losses following their poor quarterly reports on Tuesday.

Meta Platforms Inc shares also sank 25 per cent following the company's costly metaverse bets and the impact of soaring inflation on ad spending spooked investors. Meta's stock market value was at about $260 billion. It is now about the 20th most valuable company on Wall Street.

If Amazon's drop after hours is reflected in Friday's trading session, it will have been its deepest one-day loss since 2006.

Meanwhile, Pinterest surged 12 per cent after the social media platform reported higher than expected quarterly revenue, while Intel climbed six per cent.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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The US stock market suffered a huge loss of over $200 billion in value in extended trade on Thursday following a weak forecast from Amazon. The company had forecast a slowdown in sales growth for the holiday season, the latest in a string of downbeat quarterly reports from Big Tech companies.

The US stock market suffered a huge loss of over $200 billion in value in extended trade on Thursday following a weak forecast from Amazon. The company had forecast a slowdown in sales growth for the holiday season, the latest in a string of downbeat quarterly reports from Big Tech companies. Amazon announced that its net sales were $127.1 billion in the third quarter ending September 30, little lower than analysts' expectations of $127.46 billion, according to IBES data from Refinitiv. For the holiday quarter, the world's biggest online retailer forecast net sales of between $140 billion and $148 billion, which were earlier expected to be around $155.15 billion. Amazon's stock tumbled 17 per cent after the bell and wiped out $190 billion in market capitalization. Even though Apple reported revenue and profit above Wall Street targets, its iPhone sales fell short of expectation. Its shares fell about one per cent, erasing about $30 billion of its stock market value. Phone sales for the company's fiscal fourth quarter rose to $42.6 billion, falling short of the estimated figure of $43.21 billion, according to Refinitiv IBES. The poor quarterly results from some of Wall Street's biggest companies gives rise to worries about the health of the global economy as central banks raise interest rates in a battle against inflation. "Big Tech companies are not impervious to slowdowns in the economy, particularly if they are consumer driven," Rick Meckler, a partner at Cherry Lane Investments in New Vernon, New Jersey, told Reuters. "As the Fed embarks on this planned slowdown, it is eating away at some of their consumer-faced businesses, and given their high multiples it is causing big contractions in their stock prices," Meckler said. Nasdaq futures tumbled about three per cent, sending signals that Wall Street might open with a deep decline on Friday. Google-owner Alphabet and Microsoft dropped about 1 per cent each, adding to losses following their poor quarterly reports on Tuesday. Meta Platforms Inc shares also sank 25 per cent following the company's costly metaverse bets and the impact of soaring inflation on ad spending spooked investors. Meta's stock market value was at about $260 billion. It is now about the 20th most valuable company on Wall Street. If Amazon's drop after hours is reflected in Friday's trading session, it will have been its deepest one-day loss since 2006. Meanwhile, Pinterest surged 12 per cent after the social media platform reported higher than expected quarterly revenue, while Intel climbed six per cent. (With inputs from agencies)

It's a bloodbath: Wall St loses over $200bn in value following weak forecasts and results from Big Tech cos

Major US stocks lost more than $7 trillion in the first months of 2022 amid fears of a slowdown in America. Will the US drag the world into another recession? What does the global slowdown mean for India? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: US stocks lose $7 trillion in 2022

Announcing that it is going public, social media platform Reddit said that it has confidentially filed for the proposed initial pubic offering (IPO) with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

The company neither revealed the number of shares that it will be offering, nor it has disclosed the price range for the stock.

"The initial public offering is expected to occur after the SEC completes its review process, subject to market and other conditions," the company,&nbsp;which did not make the registration form public, said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/how-gamestop-missed-out-on-capitalising-on-the-reddit-rally-362984">How GameStop missed out on capitalising on the Reddit rally</a>

Reddit, which was founded in 2005, had around 52 million daily users as of August this year.

In August, the company said it had raised $700 million in new funding, valuing it at more than $10 billion, according to Reuters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/reddit-buys-tiktoks-competitor-dubsmash-promises-diversity-349746">Reddit buys TikTok's competitor Dubsmash; promises diversity</a>

Co-founder and chief executive Steve Huffman told the New York Times in the same month that Reddit was “still planning on going public” but didn’t have a firm timeline, adding, “All good companies should go public when they can.”

Reddit had become the talk of the town in January this year, when an army of small-time stock traders, communicating on its pages, rocked Wall Street by betting against the stocks that had gone viral like those of the video game store chain GameStop.

Information shared by the investors on the network led to a sudden surge in the value of shares of GameStop, AMC and other companies.

Reddit's biggest financial backers include Chinese technology Tencent, Fidelity Investments and venture capital firm Sequoia Capital.

(With inputs from agencies)

Announcing that it is going public, social media platform Reddit said that it has confidentially filed for the proposed initial pubic offering (IPO) with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Announcing that it is going public, social media platform Reddit said that it has confidentially filed for the proposed initial pubic offering (IPO) with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The company neither revealed the number of shares that it will be offering, nor it has disclosed the price range for the stock. "The initial public offering is expected to occur after the SEC completes its review process, subject to market and other conditions," the company, which did not make the registration form public, said in a statement. Also read | How GameStop missed out on capitalising on the Reddit rally Reddit, which was founded in 2005, had around 52 million daily users as of August this year. In August, the company said it had raised $700 million in new funding, valuing it at more than $10 billion, according to Reuters. Also read | Reddit buys TikTok's competitor Dubsmash; promises diversity Co-founder and chief executive Steve Huffman told the New York Times in the same month that Reddit was “still planning on going public” but didn’t have a firm timeline, adding, “All good companies should go public when they can.” Reddit had become the talk of the town in January this year, when an army of small-time stock traders, communicating on its pages, rocked Wall Street by betting against the stocks that had gone viral like those of the video game store chain GameStop. Information shared by the investors on the network led to a sudden surge in the value of shares of GameStop, AMC and other companies. Reddit's biggest financial backers include Chinese technology Tencent, Fidelity Investments and venture capital firm Sequoia Capital. (With inputs from agencies)

Social media platform Reddit to go public, files confidential IPO

US stocks ended higher on January 8 with the Nasdaq notching a new record close after President Donald Trump suggested the US and Iran were refraining from further military action. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 161 points, or 0.56%, to 28,745, the S&P 500 added 16 points, or 0.49%, to 3,253, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 61 points, or 0.67%, to 9,129. #US #USStocks #USStockMarket

US stocks gain after Trump's speech

There may be little relief on the horizon for investors in US energy companies, whose shares moved from darlings to dismal performers during <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wall-street-notches-all-time-highs-as-rate-cut-hopes-lift-investor-spirits-235406">Wall Street</a>'s record bull run and now face a shaky global economy, doubts about fossil fuel investments and general market scepticism.

Energy has been the worst-performing of the 11 S&amp;P 500 sectors this year, the worst performer since US President Donald Trump's 2016 election and the worst performer since the US bull stock market began more than a decade ago.

As a result, the S&amp;P 500 energy sector has its lowest weight in the overall S&amp;P 500 since at least 1995, according to Refinitiv Datastream data.&nbsp;

It represents under 5 per cent of the benchmark index, down from over 15 per cent in mid-2008, when oil prices reached historic highs at over $140 a barrel, nearly three times current levels.

But this year, the energy sector has even failed to keep pace with oil prices, despite their traditional tendency to move in the same direction.

The poor returns raised some hope that the sector will soon find a floor that would allow it to rebound, especially those stocks with appealing dividends, but that remains to be seen.&nbsp;

“The view of the sector, in general, has gotten to a point where it's a very difficult space for institutional investors to embrace because it`s been such a chronic underperformer,” said Walter Todd, chief investment officer at Greenwood Capital in South Carolina.

Since the current bull run began in March 2009, the S&amp;P 500, which many investors view as a proxy for the stock market, has soared well over 300 per cent, while the energy sector has climbed 32 per cent.&nbsp;

Oil prices are up relatively little throughout the bull market, which has largely overlapped with a US economic expansion characterized by modest growth and with a boom in shale exploration that helped make the country the world`s top oil producer.

This year, however, US crude prices have climbed over 18 per cent to about $54 a barrel against a 3 per cent drop for the energy sector, although there is a wide disparity in performance among the 28 S&amp;P 500 energy stocks.&nbsp;

“If you look over the last 18 to 24 months, the reason why this space is so frustrating is that when oil rallies, they rally but not nearly to the degree you think that they should," Todd said. "But then when oil comes in, they get crushed.”

Investors have become wary of energy companies in the past out-spending their cash flows and of drilling wells without adequate returns, said Pearce Hammond, managing director at Simmons Energy in Houston.

"Basically, they were destroying capital," Hammond said. "It seems like this year has been the year when investors said, 'Stop.' "

Trump has sought to cut regulations involving energy and other natural resources companies, but the sector has still struggled during his administration.

“If you remove regulation, you are inviting more drilling which then adds supply which means lower prices," said Christian Ledoux, chief investment officer at South Texas Money Management in San Antonio.

Trump's tariff battle against China is raising concerns about the economy.&nbsp;

Indeed, falling long-dated yields in the US Treasury market have inverted the yield curve, a warning sign that a recession could be looming.

This could particularly hit energy stocks.

“It’s an economically sensitive space and they are probably one of the largest victims of any trade war concerns,” said Burns McKinney, portfolio manager with Allianz Global Investors in Dallas.

Energy shares underperformed on Friday as trade tensions escalated and China threatened to impose tariffs on US crude oil imports for the first time.

Some investors avoid the fossil fuel industry as they worry about the companies impact on climate change.&nbsp;

"The oil and gas companies, for a lot of investors, have become a bit of a pariah," Hammond said.

To be sure, the energy stocks have lagged so much that some strategists and investors say they are becoming appealing.

Citigroup equity strategist Tobias Levkovich rates the sector "overweight," noting it is at its most attractive valuation relative to the S&amp;P 500 since 2002.&nbsp;

But in a recent report, Levkovich conceded, "We along with others struggle to perceive which catalysts encourage the Street to step back into the sector, short of a major supply disruption."

Some investors say energy shares could benefit simply from a catch-up trade with oil.&nbsp;

Another factor, High dividend payout rates among some companies as US Treasury yields have tumbled.&nbsp;

Exxon Mobil Corp's dividend yields 5 per cent, while Occidental Petroleum Corp yields 7per cent, compared to just a 1.54 per cent yield on the 10-year US Treasury note.

“If you stick to investment-grade rated companies, there’s a pretty small list of energy companies to invest in, and if you did that you’d probably be OK,” said Ledoux, whose firm's holdings include Chevron Corp.

However, Robert Pavlik, chief investment strategist at SlateStone Wealth, who is slightly underweight the sector, said he could sell energy holdings should the stocks rise to lock in profits.

"I don’t think that there is that much upside," Pavlik said. "Where is oil going to go if the whole industry continues to shift (to alternative energy) as it is and we are looking at a slowdown in the economy?"

There may be little relief on the horizon for investors in US energy companies, whose shares moved from darlings to dismal performers during Wall Street's record bull run and now face a shaky global economy, doubts about fossil fuel investments and general market scepticism.

There may be little relief on the horizon for investors in US energy companies, whose shares moved from darlings to dismal performers during Wall Street's record bull run and now face a shaky global economy, doubts about fossil fuel investments and general market scepticism. Energy has been the worst-performing of the 11 S&P 500 sectors this year, the worst performer since US President Donald Trump's 2016 election and the worst performer since the US bull stock market began more than a decade ago. As a result, the S&P 500 energy sector has its lowest weight in the overall S&P 500 since at least 1995, according to Refinitiv Datastream data. It represents under 5 per cent of the benchmark index, down from over 15 per cent in mid-2008, when oil prices reached historic highs at over $140 a barrel, nearly three times current levels. But this year, the energy sector has even failed to keep pace with oil prices, despite their traditional tendency to move in the same direction. The poor returns raised some hope that the sector will soon find a floor that would allow it to rebound, especially those stocks with appealing dividends, but that remains to be seen. “The view of the sector, in general, has gotten to a point where it's a very difficult space for institutional investors to embrace because it`s been such a chronic underperformer,” said Walter Todd, chief investment officer at Greenwood Capital in South Carolina. Since the current bull run began in March 2009, the S&P 500, which many investors view as a proxy for the stock market, has soared well over 300 per cent, while the energy sector has climbed 32 per cent. Oil prices are up relatively little throughout the bull market, which has largely overlapped with a US economic expansion characterized by modest growth and with a boom in shale exploration that helped make the country the world`s top oil producer. This year, however, US crude prices have climbed over 18 per cent to about $54 a barrel against a 3 per cent drop for the energy sector, although there is a wide disparity in performance among the 28 S&P 500 energy stocks. “If you look over the last 18 to 24 months, the reason why this space is so frustrating is that when oil rallies, they rally but not nearly to the degree you think that they should," Todd said. "But then when oil comes in, they get crushed.” Investors have become wary of energy companies in the past out-spending their cash flows and of drilling wells without adequate returns, said Pearce Hammond, managing director at Simmons Energy in Houston. "Basically, they were destroying capital," Hammond said. "It seems like this year has been the year when investors said, 'Stop.' " Trump has sought to cut regulations involving energy and other natural resources companies, but the sector has still struggled during his administration. “If you remove regulation, you are inviting more drilling which then adds supply which means lower prices," said Christian Ledoux, chief investment officer at South Texas Money Management in San Antonio. Trump's tariff battle against China is raising concerns about the economy. Indeed, falling long-dated yields in the US Treasury market have inverted the yield curve, a warning sign that a recession could be looming. This could particularly hit energy stocks. “It’s an economically sensitive space and they are probably one of the largest victims of any trade war concerns,” said Burns McKinney, portfolio manager with Allianz Global Investors in Dallas. Energy shares underperformed on Friday as trade tensions escalated and China threatened to impose tariffs on US crude oil imports for the first time. Some investors avoid the fossil fuel industry as they worry about the companies impact on climate change. "The oil and gas companies, for a lot of investors, have become a bit of a pariah," Hammond said. To be sure, the energy stocks have lagged so much that some strategists and investors say they are becoming appealing. Citigroup equity strategist Tobias Levkovich rates the sector "overweight," noting it is at its most attractive valuation relative to the S&P 500 since 2002. But in a recent report, Levkovich conceded, "We along with others struggle to perceive which catalysts encourage the Street to step back into the sector, short of a major supply disruption." Some investors say energy shares could benefit simply from a catch-up trade with oil. Another factor, High dividend payout rates among some companies as US Treasury yields have tumbled. Exxon Mobil Corp's dividend yields 5 per cent, while Occidental Petroleum Corp yields 7per cent, compared to just a 1.54 per cent yield on the 10-year US Treasury note. “If you stick to investment-grade rated companies, there’s a pretty small list of energy companies to invest in, and if you did that you’d probably be OK,” said Ledoux, whose firm's holdings include Chevron Corp. However, Robert Pavlik, chief investment strategist at SlateStone Wealth, who is slightly underweight the sector, said he could sell energy holdings should the stocks rise to lock in profits. "I don’t think that there is that much upside," Pavlik said. "Where is oil going to go if the whole industry continues to shift (to alternative energy) as it is and we are looking at a slowdown in the economy?"

No ready spark is seen for lagging US energy shares

US stocks closed sharply lower Monday, with the S&P 500 and the Dow logging their worst day since January 3, as China moved to raise tariffs on US goods and take other retaliatory measures after Washington last week increased duties on Chinese imports.

US stocks suffer biggest one-day loss since January 3 as US-China tariff fight escalates

Shares in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/levi-strauss-sues-lvmhs-kenzo-over-jeans-pocket-tab-128829">Levi Strauss </a>&amp; Co surged 31 per cent in their debut on Thursday, giving the jeans maker a market value of $8.7 billion and suggesting strong investor appetite before much-awaited listings from Lyft and Uber.

The 165-year-old US company's return to the public market comes at a time when stocks are near all-time highs and the popularity of denim is surging, driven by the resurgence of 1990s styles such as high-waist and pinstriped jeans.

"I'm not going to live or die by what the stock does day in and day out," Chief Executive and President Chip Bergh said in a telephone interview. "We're here to run the business for the long term. It is humbling that the stock was so well received today. That is pretty awesome."

The self-proclaimed inventor of the blue jeans, which has grown to become one of the world's most recognised denim brands, Levi Strauss hopes to use a part of the proceeds from the IPO to expand in emerging markets such as Brazil, China and India.

"Denim continues to prove prevalent in streetwear and on the runway, so we're not expecting it to go anywhere anytime soon," an analyst at retail analytics firm Edited said. "That's why now is a great time for Levi's to capitalise on this momentum."

Levi accounted for 5 per cent of the global jeans market in 2018, according to market research firm Euromonitor. The market has remained flat from 2013 to 2018 but is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 2 per cent until 2023 if prices remain at 2018 levels.

Going forward, Bergh also said Levi can double its business in Asia in the next couple of years "and then double it again".

Levi does not disclose its earnings in China but Bergh said it makes up around a quarter of its total Asia business, which had just over $800 million in revenue last year.

Levi first went public in 1971. It then sold 1.27 million shares at $47 each and the stock opened at $60, according to a New York Times report. After 14 years, it was taken private by the Haas family, the descendants of founder Levi Strauss, in a $1.6 billion leveraged buyout.

Levi's second IPO was priced at $17, above the expected range, in an oversubscribed offering. By Thursday afternoon, the shares had hit a high of $23.15.

Levi's market splash marks the start of what could be a blockbuster year for IPOs with several high profile companies expected to list their shares.

Ride-hailing service provider Lyft Inc kicked off the investor roadshow for its market debut on Monday, while larger rival Uber is expected to go public in April.

The line-up also includes photo-posting app Pinterest and business messaging app Slack.

The Haas family, which has over 100 members and is between its fifth and sixth generations, according to Bergh, will retain 80 per cent voting control of the public company.

Bergh said a desire among existing shareholders to diversify, coupled with strong corporate performance and supportive market conditions, led to the decision to go public in 2019.

"The market is pretty ripe and we're the first big IPO of the year," he said. "There was a lot of pent-up demand because it's been pretty slow the last couple of months and that was also probably a tail-wind for us."

The company's $8.7 billion market capitalisation at the start of trading is based on outstanding shares of about 390 million, which includes the over-allotment option.

"There is a lot to like when it comes to Levi Strauss the brand and its outlook moving forward," said Jeff Zell, senior research analyst and partner at IPO tracking firm, IPO Boutique.

"The company and the underwriters targeted a reasonable valuation to start and allowed the true investor demand to dictate price which ultimately came one dollar above range."

Levi's revenue rose 14 per cent to $5.6 billion in 2018, the bulk of which came from men's denim. Its biggest market in the Americas, accounting for 55 per cent of overall revenue.

The San Francisco-based company sells in 110 countries through 50,000 retail stores, and its rivals include Gap Inc and VF Corp's Lee and Wrangler brands.

To attract young customers, Levi's is planning to expand its tailor shop and print bar that allow consumers to customise and put their own designs on the company's branded jeans and T-shirts.

Shares in Levi Strauss & Co surged 31 per cent in their debut on Thursday, giving the jeans maker a market value of $8.7 billion and suggesting strong investor appetite before much-awaited listings from Lyft and Uber.

Shares in Levi Strauss & Co surged 31 per cent in their debut on Thursday, giving the jeans maker a market value of $8.7 billion and suggesting strong investor appetite before much-awaited listings from Lyft and Uber. The 165-year-old US company's return to the public market comes at a time when stocks are near all-time highs and the popularity of denim is surging, driven by the resurgence of 1990s styles such as high-waist and pinstriped jeans. "I'm not going to live or die by what the stock does day in and day out," Chief Executive and President Chip Bergh said in a telephone interview. "We're here to run the business for the long term. It is humbling that the stock was so well received today. That is pretty awesome." The self-proclaimed inventor of the blue jeans, which has grown to become one of the world's most recognised denim brands, Levi Strauss hopes to use a part of the proceeds from the IPO to expand in emerging markets such as Brazil, China and India. "Denim continues to prove prevalent in streetwear and on the runway, so we're not expecting it to go anywhere anytime soon," an analyst at retail analytics firm Edited said. "That's why now is a great time for Levi's to capitalise on this momentum." Levi accounted for 5 per cent of the global jeans market in 2018, according to market research firm Euromonitor. The market has remained flat from 2013 to 2018 but is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 2 per cent until 2023 if prices remain at 2018 levels. Going forward, Bergh also said Levi can double its business in Asia in the next couple of years "and then double it again". Levi does not disclose its earnings in China but Bergh said it makes up around a quarter of its total Asia business, which had just over $800 million in revenue last year. Levi first went public in 1971. It then sold 1.27 million shares at $47 each and the stock opened at $60, according to a New York Times report. After 14 years, it was taken private by the Haas family, the descendants of founder Levi Strauss, in a $1.6 billion leveraged buyout. Levi's second IPO was priced at $17, above the expected range, in an oversubscribed offering. By Thursday afternoon, the shares had hit a high of $23.15. Levi's market splash marks the start of what could be a blockbuster year for IPOs with several high profile companies expected to list their shares. Ride-hailing service provider Lyft Inc kicked off the investor roadshow for its market debut on Monday, while larger rival Uber is expected to go public in April. The line-up also includes photo-posting app Pinterest and business messaging app Slack. The Haas family, which has over 100 members and is between its fifth and sixth generations, according to Bergh, will retain 80 per cent voting control of the public company. Bergh said a desire among existing shareholders to diversify, coupled with strong corporate performance and supportive market conditions, led to the decision to go public in 2019. "The market is pretty ripe and we're the first big IPO of the year," he said. "There was a lot of pent-up demand because it's been pretty slow the last couple of months and that was also probably a tail-wind for us." The company's $8.7 billion market capitalisation at the start of trading is based on outstanding shares of about 390 million, which includes the over-allotment option. "There is a lot to like when it comes to Levi Strauss the brand and its outlook moving forward," said Jeff Zell, senior research analyst and partner at IPO tracking firm, IPO Boutique. "The company and the underwriters targeted a reasonable valuation to start and allowed the true investor demand to dictate price which ultimately came one dollar above range." Levi's revenue rose 14 per cent to $5.6 billion in 2018, the bulk of which came from men's denim. Its biggest market in the Americas, accounting for 55 per cent of overall revenue. The San Francisco-based company sells in 110 countries through 50,000 retail stores, and its rivals include Gap Inc and VF Corp's Lee and Wrangler brands. To attract young customers, Levi's is planning to expand its tailor shop and print bar that allow consumers to customise and put their own designs on the company's branded jeans and T-shirts.

Levi Strauss shares surge 31 per cent in stock market return

Wall Street ended its worst week in a decade with more bruising losses Friday, and with the tech-rich Nasdaq entering a bear market amid worries about trade wars and a possible <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-government-shuts-down-at-midnight-as-house-adjourns-with-no-deal-185738">US government shutdown</a>.

The Nasdaq and Dow suffered their worst weeks since the start of the global financial crisis as the US-China trade dispute returning to the forefront and amid continued concerns about the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-federal-reserve-hikes-interest-rates-wall-street-stocks-tumble-185385">Federal Reserve's plans for interest rate increases</a>.

"It has been a remarkably terrible trading week for financial markets amid concerns over rising US interest rates, decelerating global growth, Brexit uncertainty and chaos in Washington," said Lukman Otunuga, a research analyst at FXTM.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished the week with a loss of nearly seven per cent, after losing 1.8 per cent or more than 400 points Friday, to close at 22,445.37.&nbsp;

Markets elsewhere were mixed, with European bourses flat or rising slightly, while Tokyo slid.

The Wall Street decline came as Washington teetered towards a likely government shutdown as US President Donald Trump dug in on threats to close if congressional Democrats continue to refuse his demand for funds to build a wall on the border of Mexico.

Thousands of US government employees could be furloughed without a paycheck right before the end-of-year holidays if Trump and congressional Democrats fail to strike a deal by midnight (0500 GMT Saturday).

Hardline voices

With that deadline looming, investors received another jolt in the final hour of trading when White House advisor Peter Navarro delivered hardline comments on the ongoing trade talks with China.

"China is basically trying to steal the future of Japan, the US and Europe, by going after our technology," Navarro, a longtime China hawk, told the Japan's Nikkei news agency in an interview conducted Thursday but published Friday.

And he said China must address all US concerns about its trade policies, saying there are "no half-measures."

Investors also have been anxious over the surprise resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who laid out significant policy disagreements with the US president in his letter to Trump which he made public.

"We are in a fragile environment," said Gregori Volokhine of Meeschaert Financial Services.&nbsp;

"The extremist position is winning in the Trump administration, not just on trade but on everything."

Investors have been unnerved by the Federal Reserve's decision to raise interest rates this week, and projecting it would continue to raise next year.

New York Federal Reserve Bank President John Williams on Friday tried to tamp down market concerns, opening the door to a more benign monetary policy in 2019, saying the Fed was listening to the fears about the risks and will "be ready to reassess and re-evaluate our views and our policy stance."

Stocks briefly rallied on Williams remarks, but fell quickly back into the red.

Wall Street ended its worst week in a decade with more bruising losses Friday, and with the tech-rich Nasdaq entering a bear market amid worries about trade wars and a possible US government shutdown.

Wall Street ended its worst week in a decade with more bruising losses Friday, and with the tech-rich Nasdaq entering a bear market amid worries about trade wars and a possible US government shutdown. The Nasdaq and Dow suffered their worst weeks since the start of the global financial crisis as the US-China trade dispute returning to the forefront and amid continued concerns about the Federal Reserve's plans for interest rate increases. "It has been a remarkably terrible trading week for financial markets amid concerns over rising US interest rates, decelerating global growth, Brexit uncertainty and chaos in Washington," said Lukman Otunuga, a research analyst at FXTM. The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished the week with a loss of nearly seven per cent, after losing 1.8 per cent or more than 400 points Friday, to close at 22,445.37. Markets elsewhere were mixed, with European bourses flat or rising slightly, while Tokyo slid. The Wall Street decline came as Washington teetered towards a likely government shutdown as US President Donald Trump dug in on threats to close if congressional Democrats continue to refuse his demand for funds to build a wall on the border of Mexico. Thousands of US government employees could be furloughed without a paycheck right before the end-of-year holidays if Trump and congressional Democrats fail to strike a deal by midnight (0500 GMT Saturday). Hardline voices With that deadline looming, investors received another jolt in the final hour of trading when White House advisor Peter Navarro delivered hardline comments on the ongoing trade talks with China. "China is basically trying to steal the future of Japan, the US and Europe, by going after our technology," Navarro, a longtime China hawk, told the Japan's Nikkei news agency in an interview conducted Thursday but published Friday. And he said China must address all US concerns about its trade policies, saying there are "no half-measures." Investors also have been anxious over the surprise resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who laid out significant policy disagreements with the US president in his letter to Trump which he made public. "We are in a fragile environment," said Gregori Volokhine of Meeschaert Financial Services. "The extremist position is winning in the Trump administration, not just on trade but on everything." Investors have been unnerved by the Federal Reserve's decision to raise interest rates this week, and projecting it would continue to raise next year. New York Federal Reserve Bank President John Williams on Friday tried to tamp down market concerns, opening the door to a more benign monetary policy in 2019, saying the Fed was listening to the fears about the risks and will "be ready to reassess and re-evaluate our views and our policy stance." Stocks briefly rallied on Williams remarks, but fell quickly back into the red.

Third straight rout end worst weak for Dow, Nasdaq since 2008 crisis

Wall Street stocks rose early Wednesday after Democrats won control of the House of Representatives in key midterm elections even as President Donald Trump's Republican party increased its Senate majority.

About 20 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.8 percent at 25,829.66, gaining speed after the open.

The broad-based S&amp;P 500 advanced 0.9 percent to 2,781.46, and the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index gained 1.0 percent to 7,451.92.

With a handful of races still too close to call, Democrats were on track to capture some 30-35 House seats, taking control and providing a check on Trump's policies.&nbsp;

But Republicans appeared likely to win three to five Senate seats and solidify their control of the upper house following Tuesday night's vote.

Analysts said the market's gains reflected relief that an event viewed as a source of uncertainty had finally passed.

A Democratic sweep of Congress would have been seen as a threat to Trump's agenda and providing momentum to calls for an impeachment investigation, while a Republican sweep would have bolstered the odds for additional tax cuts that could have worsened the US fiscal outlook, analysts said.

Goldman Sachs said the election would yield no major changes on taxes or trade, while an infrastructure deal "seems unlikely."&nbsp;

But Goldman said the Democratic win in the House opens the door to potential passage of legislation to limit drug prices, an objective Trump has also emphasized at times.

Wall Street stocks rose early Wednesday after Democrats won control of the House of Representatives in key midterm elections even as President Donald Trump's Republican party increased its Senate majority.

Wall Street stocks rose early Wednesday after Democrats won control of the House of Representatives in key midterm elections even as President Donald Trump's Republican party increased its Senate majority. About 20 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.8 percent at 25,829.66, gaining speed after the open. The broad-based S&P 500 advanced 0.9 percent to 2,781.46, and the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index gained 1.0 percent to 7,451.92. With a handful of races still too close to call, Democrats were on track to capture some 30-35 House seats, taking control and providing a check on Trump's policies. But Republicans appeared likely to win three to five Senate seats and solidify their control of the upper house following Tuesday night's vote. Analysts said the market's gains reflected relief that an event viewed as a source of uncertainty had finally passed. A Democratic sweep of Congress would have been seen as a threat to Trump's agenda and providing momentum to calls for an impeachment investigation, while a Republican sweep would have bolstered the odds for additional tax cuts that could have worsened the US fiscal outlook, analysts said. Goldman Sachs said the election would yield no major changes on taxes or trade, while an infrastructure deal "seems unlikely." But Goldman said the Democratic win in the House opens the door to potential passage of legislation to limit drug prices, an objective Trump has also emphasized at times.

US stocks jump at the open after midterm results

European shares sagged and the dollar and bond markets barely budged on Tuesday, as traders braced for midterm elections in the United States and potentially lively sessions ahead.

Japan [.T] and Hong Kong had helped Asia overcome another Chinese wobble [.SS], but Europe [.EU] was in the 0.4 per cent red as investors pounced on corporate earnings misses and pre-market caution dragged down Wall Street futures.

The elections mark the first major test of President Donald Trump's sweeping tax cuts and hostile trade policies. Polls point to his Republican party losing control of the House of Representatives which could curb some of his policymaking power.

With so much at stake, currency market moves were extremely tight. The dollar hardly moved against the euro, lost ground to Brexit-bound sterling but made some back against the yen as dealers kept their options open.

"It is definitely not the time to buy the dip," said London &amp; Capital's Chief Investment Officer Pau Morilla-Giner, referring to US&nbsp;and globally-focused stock markets and risk assets.

"Everything that could go well for US&nbsp;consumers in the last couple of years has gone well, but now the tide is turning... At the moment you are running out of drivers of growth in the US"

There was plenty for investors to digest from Europe too.

Italian and Spanish stocks and bonds weakened as updated PMI figures confirmed euro zone business growth had fallen to a two-year low last month against the backdrop of trade tensions.

The future output index caused even more concern as it fell to a near four-year low.

"Euro zone companies reported a disappointing start to the fourth quarter," said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at IHS Markit, which compiles the data.

Italian politics also played on the nerves too after euro zone finance ministers had called on Rome to change its budget at a meeting late on Monday.

With Italy unlikely to bow to the demands any time soon, it pointed to a further escalation in the damaging feud and pushed Italian borrowing costs up 5-7 basis points on the day. [GVD/EUR]

"Twenty-five countries have entered into the excessive deficit procedure and no-one has ever got a fine, so my gut feeling is that they (Italy) won't get one, just a slap on the wrist," said Lyn Graham-Taylor, strategist at Rabobank.

Oil spill

The uncertainty over the US&nbsp;midterms for US&nbsp;stocks futures was understandable. The S&amp;P 500 has risen 28 per cent since Trump's election in November, 2016, which is more than under any other president in the past 64 years.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares ex-Japan had edged up 0.4 per cent overnight following a positive finish for Wall Street on Monday.

Japan's Nikkei also climbed 1.1 per cent, although weaker Chinese markets and regional technology shares capped the region. [.SS]

Apple suppliers such as Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry were hit by a report that Apple had told its smartphone assemblers to halt plans for additional production lines dedicated to the iPhone XR. The report had also driven Apple shares 2.8 per cent lower in U.S. trade.

While political gridlock between the White House and Congress could hinder Trump's pro-business agenda and raise concerns about US&nbsp;political instability, some analysts say this may have already been priced in by investors.

The Cboe Skew index, also known as the "black swan" index, hovered not far from its 2-1/2-year low hit on Friday, indicating demand for options that provide protection remains tepid.

A higher skew typically indicates investors are buying more protection on heightened anxiety.

"Unlike the US&nbsp;Presidential election or the UK's Brexit referendum, the upcoming US (midterm) elections are not a binary event," said Yasuo Sakuma, chief investment officer at Libra Investments.

"So it's unlikely to send stocks significantly in one direction, apart from initial quick reactions."

Safe-haven gold was little changed but in oil markets crude prices were down near multi-month lows after the United States allowed eight countries to continue buying oil from Iran temporarily, easing the likelihood of a sharp supply drop.

US&nbsp;West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures slipped 0.5 per cent to $62.80 a barrel, after hitting a seven-month low of $62.52 on Monday.

Brent crude futures dropped 0.6 per cent to $72.74 a barrel, near Friday's 2-1/2-month low of $72.16.

Both oil benchmarks have slid more than 15 per cent since hitting four-year highs in early October.

European shares sagged and the dollar and bond markets barely budged on Tuesday, as traders braced for midterm elections in the United States and potentially lively sessions ahead.

European shares sagged and the dollar and bond markets barely budged on Tuesday, as traders braced for midterm elections in the United States and potentially lively sessions ahead. Japan [.T] and Hong Kong had helped Asia overcome another Chinese wobble [.SS], but Europe [.EU] was in the 0.4 per cent red as investors pounced on corporate earnings misses and pre-market caution dragged down Wall Street futures. The elections mark the first major test of President Donald Trump's sweeping tax cuts and hostile trade policies. Polls point to his Republican party losing control of the House of Representatives which could curb some of his policymaking power. With so much at stake, currency market moves were extremely tight. The dollar hardly moved against the euro, lost ground to Brexit-bound sterling but made some back against the yen as dealers kept their options open. "It is definitely not the time to buy the dip," said London & Capital's Chief Investment Officer Pau Morilla-Giner, referring to US and globally-focused stock markets and risk assets. "Everything that could go well for US consumers in the last couple of years has gone well, but now the tide is turning... At the moment you are running out of drivers of growth in the US" There was plenty for investors to digest from Europe too. Italian and Spanish stocks and bonds weakened as updated PMI figures confirmed euro zone business growth had fallen to a two-year low last month against the backdrop of trade tensions. The future output index caused even more concern as it fell to a near four-year low. "Euro zone companies reported a disappointing start to the fourth quarter," said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at IHS Markit, which compiles the data. Italian politics also played on the nerves too after euro zone finance ministers had called on Rome to change its budget at a meeting late on Monday. With Italy unlikely to bow to the demands any time soon, it pointed to a further escalation in the damaging feud and pushed Italian borrowing costs up 5-7 basis points on the day. [GVD/EUR] "Twenty-five countries have entered into the excessive deficit procedure and no-one has ever got a fine, so my gut feeling is that they (Italy) won't get one, just a slap on the wrist," said Lyn Graham-Taylor, strategist at Rabobank. Oil spill The uncertainty over the US midterms for US stocks futures was understandable. The S&P 500 has risen 28 per cent since Trump's election in November, 2016, which is more than under any other president in the past 64 years. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares ex-Japan had edged up 0.4 per cent overnight following a positive finish for Wall Street on Monday. Japan's Nikkei also climbed 1.1 per cent, although weaker Chinese markets and regional technology shares capped the region. [.SS] Apple suppliers such as Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry were hit by a report that Apple had told its smartphone assemblers to halt plans for additional production lines dedicated to the iPhone XR. The report had also driven Apple shares 2.8 per cent lower in U.S. trade. While political gridlock between the White House and Congress could hinder Trump's pro-business agenda and raise concerns about US political instability, some analysts say this may have already been priced in by investors. The Cboe Skew index, also known as the "black swan" index, hovered not far from its 2-1/2-year low hit on Friday, indicating demand for options that provide protection remains tepid. A higher skew typically indicates investors are buying more protection on heightened anxiety. "Unlike the US Presidential election or the UK's Brexit referendum, the upcoming US (midterm) elections are not a binary event," said Yasuo Sakuma, chief investment officer at Libra Investments. "So it's unlikely to send stocks significantly in one direction, apart from initial quick reactions." Safe-haven gold was little changed but in oil markets crude prices were down near multi-month lows after the United States allowed eight countries to continue buying oil from Iran temporarily, easing the likelihood of a sharp supply drop. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures slipped 0.5 per cent to $62.80 a barrel, after hitting a seven-month low of $62.52 on Monday. Brent crude futures dropped 0.6 per cent to $72.74 a barrel, near Friday's 2-1/2-month low of $72.16. Both oil benchmarks have slid more than 15 per cent since hitting four-year highs in early October.

Global Markets: Stocks, dollar hunker down for US midterm elections

The dollar stood atop large gains early on Friday after soaring broadly overnight on comments by US President Donald Trump that he would announce the most ambitious tax reform plan since the Reagan era in the next few weeks.

The dollar had enjoyed a big surge after Trump won the US elections in November on pledges to inject the economy with large-scale fiscal stimulus. But the &quot;Trump rally&quot; had faded over the past few weeks with more focus on the new president&#39;s protectionist trade rhetoric and his support for a weaker dollar.

The dollar index against a basket of major currencies was up 0.1 per cent at 100.710, its highest in three days. The index was poised to rise 0.8 per cent on the week.

The US currency received a boost as Trump promised a &quot;phenomenal&quot; tax plan in a White House meeting on Thursday with airline executives, although he did not offer specifics other than citing the need to a lower tax burden on businesses.

The euro was steady at $1.0657 after losing 0.4 percent the previous day. The common currency was on track to shed more than 1 percent on the week, during which it was dogged by perceived political risks facing the euro zone.

The dollar extended its overnight rally and edged up to a nine-day high of 113.665 yen.

The greenback soared 1.2 per cent against the yen the previous day as US Treasury yields rose sharply in the wake of Trump&#39;s comments. Treasury yields had until Thursday declined steadily to multi-week lows, pushing the dollar to a 10-week trough of 111.590 yen.

&quot;Recently, the dollar has been caught between uncertainty towards Bank of Japan policy and US-Japan currency diplomacy on one hand, and hopes for US tax reform on the other. The dollar&#39;s surge was straightforward reaction to developments in the latter,&quot; said Shusuke Yamada, chief Japan FX strategist at BOA Merrill Lynch.

Market focus turned to the two-day summit between President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe starting later on Friday.

Of concern to rejuvenated dollar bulls is the possibility of Trump reiterating his opposition to a strong dollar, and the financial markets are paying particular attention to how much currency policies are discussed at the summit.

Trump and his top trade adviser Peter Navarro criticised Germany, Japan and China last week, saying the trading partners were engaged in devaluing their currencies to the disadvantage of the United States.

&quot;Currency policy may not be a dominant topic at the summit, and that would be positive for the dollar,&quot; Yamada at BOA Merrill Lynch said.

A senior US official said while currency manipulation could come up in the talks, it was not at the top of Trump&#39;s list of topics at the summit.

Elsewhere, the New Zealand dollar inched up 0.1 per cent to $0.7189, stabilising somewhat after sliding 1.1 per cent the previous day as the country&#39;s central bank extinguished hopes that a rate hike would happen sooner rather than later.&nbsp;

(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

The 'Trump rally' had faded over the past few weeks with more focus on the new president's protectionist trade rhetoric

The dollar stood atop large gains early on Friday after soaring broadly overnight on comments by US President Donald Trump that he would announce the most ambitious tax reform plan since the Reagan era in the next few weeks. The dollar had enjoyed a big surge after Trump won the US elections in November on pledges to inject the economy with large-scale fiscal stimulus. But the "Trump rally" had faded over the past few weeks with more focus on the new president's protectionist trade rhetoric and his support for a weaker dollar. The dollar index against a basket of major currencies was up 0.1 per cent at 100.710, its highest in three days. The index was poised to rise 0.8 per cent on the week. The US currency received a boost as Trump promised a "phenomenal" tax plan in a White House meeting on Thursday with airline executives, although he did not offer specifics other than citing the need to a lower tax burden on businesses. The euro was steady at $1.0657 after losing 0.4 percent the previous day. The common currency was on track to shed more than 1 percent on the week, during which it was dogged by perceived political risks facing the euro zone. The dollar extended its overnight rally and edged up to a nine-day high of 113.665 yen. The greenback soared 1.2 per cent against the yen the previous day as US Treasury yields rose sharply in the wake of Trump's comments. Treasury yields had until Thursday declined steadily to multi-week lows, pushing the dollar to a 10-week trough of 111.590 yen. "Recently, the dollar has been caught between uncertainty towards Bank of Japan policy and US-Japan currency diplomacy on one hand, and hopes for US tax reform on the other. The dollar's surge was straightforward reaction to developments in the latter," said Shusuke Yamada, chief Japan FX strategist at BOA Merrill Lynch. Market focus turned to the two-day summit between President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe starting later on Friday. Of concern to rejuvenated dollar bulls is the possibility of Trump reiterating his opposition to a strong dollar, and the financial markets are paying particular attention to how much currency policies are discussed at the summit. Trump and his top trade adviser Peter Navarro criticised Germany, Japan and China last week, saying the trading partners were engaged in devaluing their currencies to the disadvantage of the United States. "Currency policy may not be a dominant topic at the summit, and that would be positive for the dollar," Yamada at BOA Merrill Lynch said. A senior US official said while currency manipulation could come up in the talks, it was not at the top of Trump's list of topics at the summit. Elsewhere, the New Zealand dollar inched up 0.1 per cent to $0.7189, stabilising somewhat after sliding 1.1 per cent the previous day as the country's central bank extinguished hopes that a rate hike would happen sooner rather than later. (Reuters)

Wall Street at record high after Trump's promise of 'phenomenal' tax plan

Equity investors froze Friday at the prospect of a tight finish to the US presidential race, with the US S&amp;P&nbsp;500 (Standard and Poor&#39;s 500)&nbsp;sliding for the ninth straight session, its longest fall since 1980.

Investors took refuge in safe havens ahead of the weekend that could bring more surprises affecting the hot race between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump, and amid concerns a Trump victory could bring sharp shifts in US economic policy.

Gold prices rose, the dollar dropped and US bond yields fell despite solid US jobs market and trade data that pointed ever more to a rate hike by the Federal Reserve in December.

Tokyo stocks lost 1.3 per cent, London fell 1.4 per cent, and Paris and Frankfurt bourses slipped 0.8 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively, as caution reigned.

On Wall Street, losses were lighter, with selling coming at the end of the session, leaving just one trading day before the November 8 vote.

The three key indices all lost about 0.2 per cent, putting the S&amp;P 500 down 3.1 per cent since its slide began.&nbsp;

&quot;Not good, but not as bad as it sounds,&quot; given the relatively modest loss for such a streak, said Howard Silverblatt of S&amp;P Global.

And Chris Low of FTN Financial said, &quot;The last time the market was at this level was back in early July, right after the terrible Shanghai selloff.

&quot;If we break through these levels technically, it could be a difficult month or two after that.&quot;

Clinton, who has promoted mostly continuity with the political, economic and tax policies of President Barack Obama, still leads Trump in the race. But the separation between the two has narrowed to two percentage points and the outcome of the vote could depend on a handful of swing states the candidates are battling for.

&quot;Investors are clearly nervous or worried that there might be a big surprise Tuesday. That&#39;s the reason why the market&#39;s been drifting down,&quot; said Hugh Johnson of Hugh Johnson Advisors.

&nbsp;US economy shows strength

A solid US October jobs report gave more support for the Federal Reserve to raise rates in December. The economy added 161,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate dipped to 4.9 per cent.

Fed Vice Chair Stanley Fischer said in a speech that the labor market is in a &quot;powerful&quot; recovery and that inflation is picking up, while not speaking directly to the Fed&#39;s next policy meeting in five weeks.&nbsp;

While this would normally strengthen the case for a Fed rate hike in December, much still hinges on Tuesday&#39;s vote, said John Higgins at Capital Economics.

&quot;US monetary policy would be expected by many to remain looser for longer in the event of a win for Trump,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Pound up on Brexit politics

&nbsp;The British pound though powered higher on Thursday&#39;s London court ruling that the British government would need parliamentary approval to officially move to pull out of the European Union.

The pound pushed up to $1.2519, its highest level in a month.

&quot;The High Court ruling has introduced a whole new set of political uncertainties,&quot; Rabobank analyst Jane Foley told AFP.

&quot;However, since most of these are seen as reducing the chances of a bitter divorce from the European Union&#39;s single market, the pound is better supported.&quot;

Oil prices meanwhile fell again amid talk Saudi Arabia may raise output again to bring prices down if Iran fails to agree to OPEC production cuts.

(AFP)

The US Standard and Poor 500 slid for the ninth straight session, its longest fall since 1980

Equity investors froze Friday at the prospect of a tight finish to the US presidential race, with the US S&P 500 (Standard and Poor's 500) sliding for the ninth straight session, its longest fall since 1980. Investors took refuge in safe havens ahead of the weekend that could bring more surprises affecting the hot race between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump, and amid concerns a Trump victory could bring sharp shifts in US economic policy. Gold prices rose, the dollar dropped and US bond yields fell despite solid US jobs market and trade data that pointed ever more to a rate hike by the Federal Reserve in December. Tokyo stocks lost 1.3 per cent, London fell 1.4 per cent, and Paris and Frankfurt bourses slipped 0.8 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively, as caution reigned. On Wall Street, losses were lighter, with selling coming at the end of the session, leaving just one trading day before the November 8 vote. The three key indices all lost about 0.2 per cent, putting the S&P 500 down 3.1 per cent since its slide began. "Not good, but not as bad as it sounds," given the relatively modest loss for such a streak, said Howard Silverblatt of S&P Global. And Chris Low of FTN Financial said, "The last time the market was at this level was back in early July, right after the terrible Shanghai selloff. "If we break through these levels technically, it could be a difficult month or two after that." Clinton, who has promoted mostly continuity with the political, economic and tax policies of President Barack Obama, still leads Trump in the race. But the separation between the two has narrowed to two percentage points and the outcome of the vote could depend on a handful of swing states the candidates are battling for. "Investors are clearly nervous or worried that there might be a big surprise Tuesday. That's the reason why the market's been drifting down," said Hugh Johnson of Hugh Johnson Advisors. US economy shows strength A solid US October jobs report gave more support for the Federal Reserve to raise rates in December. The economy added 161,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate dipped to 4.9 per cent. Fed Vice Chair Stanley Fischer said in a speech that the labor market is in a "powerful" recovery and that inflation is picking up, while not speaking directly to the Fed's next policy meeting in five weeks. While this would normally strengthen the case for a Fed rate hike in December, much still hinges on Tuesday's vote, said John Higgins at Capital Economics. "US monetary policy would be expected by many to remain looser for longer in the event of a win for Trump," he said. Pound up on Brexit politics The British pound though powered higher on Thursday's London court ruling that the British government would need parliamentary approval to officially move to pull out of the European Union. The pound pushed up to $1.2519, its highest level in a month. "The High Court ruling has introduced a whole new set of political uncertainties," Rabobank analyst Jane Foley told AFP. "However, since most of these are seen as reducing the chances of a bitter divorce from the European Union's single market, the pound is better supported." Oil prices meanwhile fell again amid talk Saudi Arabia may raise output again to bring prices down if Iran fails to agree to OPEC production cuts. (AFP)

World stocks choke on US election fears, pound powers on

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