Lola Evans
16 Oct 2025, 01:44 GMT+10
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks rebounded Wednesday despite the government shutdown, and a further flare-up of U.S.-China trade tensions. Inspiring buyers were encouraged by unexpectedly better-then-forecast earnings from Bank of America and Morgan Stanley. However in late trade, the Dow Jones lost momentum and ended with a minor dip.
"Investors don't appear ready to send equities back to fresh records at this juncture, as they await more earnings reports and commentary from Washington or Beijing, prior to traveling north," Jose Torres, senior economist at Interactive Brokers told CNBC Wednesday. "Volatility levels remain elevated, and that signals the potential for abrupt moves in either direction as participants look for any important news that could influence sentiment and risk-taking behavior as a result."
U.S. stock markets in the end closed mixed on Wednesday as investors weighed corporate earnings reports against lingering concerns about interest rates and global economic momentum. Gains in technology and communications shares helped lift the Nasdaq and S&P 500, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged slightly lower.
The Standard and Poor's 500 advanced 26.75 points, or 0.40 percent, to finish at 6,671.06, supported by strong performances in tech and consumer discretionary sectors. The index traded between 6,612.11 and 6,724.12 during the session.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 17.15 points, or 0.04 percent, to close at 46,253.31, as declines in industrial and energy stocks offset gains in healthcare and technology shares.
Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite outperformed, climbing 148.38 points, or 0.66 percent, to 22,670.08, buoyed by continued investor optimism toward major technology firms and artificial intelligence-related stocks.
Overall, Wednesday's trading session reflected a cautiously positive tone, with investors positioning ahead of key U.S. economic data and comments from Federal Reserve officials later in the week. While growth stocks continued to attract buying interest, concerns over the timing of potential rate cuts kept broader market enthusiasm in check.
US. .Dollar Weakens Against Major Currencies as Euro and Pound Advance
The U.S. dollar slipped against most major currencies on Wednesday as investors adjusted positions ahead of key U.S. economic data and statements from Federal Reserve officials. A softer tone in Treasury yields and renewed risk appetite in equity markets also contributed to the dollar's decline.
The euro strengthened to 1.1637 US dollars, rising 0.27 percent, as sentiment toward the single currency improved amid firmer Eurozone inflation data and optimism over regional economic resilience.
The British pound also advanced, climbing 0.54 percent to 1.3387 US dollars, supported by stronger-than-expected UK employment figures and speculation that the Bank of England may maintain a cautious stance on rate cuts.
Against the Japanese yen, the greenback weakened 0.37 percent to 151.26 yen, easing from recent highs as investors looked for safe-haven assets following mixed global growth signals.
The Swiss franc gained ground as well, with the US dollar slipping 0.48 percent to 0.7970 francs, reflecting continued demand for defensive currencies amid geopolitical tensions.
Elsewhere, the Australian dollar firmed 0.36 percent to 0.6508 US dollars, lifted by a tempering of U.S.-China trade relations, stronger commodity prices and signs of improving business confidence. The New Zealand dollar edged higher by 0.10 percent to 0.5719 US dollars, following the same trend.
Global Markets Post Strong Gains Led by Asia-Pacific and European Rallies
Global stock markets delivered a mostly upbeat performance on Wednesday, with strong gains across Asia and parts of Europe, driven by improved investor sentiment and optimism surrounding earnings results and economic resilience in key regions.
Canada's S&P/TSX Composite Index gained 283.51 points, or 0.93 percent, to close at 30,637.12, lifted by strength in financials, materials, and energy shares amid a rebound in commodity prices.
In London, the FTSE 100 edged lower by 28.02 points, or 0.30 percent, to close at 9,424.75, weighed down by weakness in energy and financial stocks.
On the continent, Germany's DAX slipped 55.57 points, or 0.23 percent, to 24,181.37, while France's CAC 40 surged 157.38 points, or 1.99 percent, to 8,077.00, buoyed by strong performances in the luxury and industrial sectors. The EURO STOXX 50 rose 52.98 points, or 0.95 percent, to 5,605.03, and the Euronext 100 added 22.42 points, or 1.35 percent, closing at 1,683.87.
Belgium's BEL 20 index also posted a modest rise, gaining 22.99 points, or 0.46 percent, to 4,978.80.
In Asia, markets advanced broadly following upbeat corporate results and easing concerns over inflation. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index climbed 469.25 points, or 1.84 percent, to 25,910.60, while South Korea's KOSPI jumped 95.47 points, or 2.68 percent, to 3,657.28, leading regional gains.
Japan's Nikkei 225 rose sharply by 825.35 points, or 1.76 percent, to 47,672.67, as technology shares gained momentum. Taiwan's TWSE Index advanced 482.56 points, or 1.80 percent, finishing at 27,275.71.
Australia's markets also pushed higher, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 91.50 points, or 1.03 percent, to 8,990.90, and the All Ordinaries adding 90.50 points, or 0.98 percent, to 9,299.00.
India's S&P BSE Sensex climbed 575.45 points, or 0.70 percent, closing at 82,605.43, supported by strong performances in banking and technology sectors.
Elsewhere in the region, Singapore's STI Index gained 13.90 points, or 0.32 percent, to 4,368.42, and Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur Composite Index inched up 0.09 points, or 0.01 percent, to 1,611.55. Indonesia's Jakarta Composite Index fell slightly by 15.35 points, or 0.19 percent, to 8,051.17, snapping a recent rally.
In the Pacific, New Zealand's S&P/NZX 50 rose 30.41 points, or 0.23 percent, to 13,307.40, while Egypt's EGX 30 advanced 194.90 points, or 0.52 percent, to 37,654.00.
In Johannesburg, South Africa's All Share Index (JN0U.JO) gained 84.50 points, or 1.32 percent, to 6,466.17, and China's Shanghai Composite Index strengthened 46.98 points, or 1.22 percent, to 3,912.21, as investors responded positively to signs of stabilisation in the Chinese property sector.
Overall, the day's trading reflected a broadly positive global sentiment, with Asian and European markets buoyed by economic optimism, even as some investors remained cautious amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties and currency market fluctuations.
Related stories:
Tuesday 14 October 2025 | China-U.S. trade tensions drive down U.S. markets, but Dow edges higher | Big News Network.com
Monday 13 October 2025 | Dow Jones surges 548 points in solid market recovery | Big News Network.com
(Photo credit: Big News Network News Agency).
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