In Asian Equity Markets stocks fell on Friday, with a gauge of regional equities set for its biggest monthly decline since the height of global pandemic lockdowns last March, while the dollar lagged near one-month lows on expectations of continued Fed stimulus. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.84 percent. Japan’s Nikkei lost 1.71 percent, set for an 11th straight month of falls on the last trading day in the month. Chinese blue-chips fell 0.96 percent, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 1.27 percent. Seoul’s Kospi was last down 0.94 percent on the day.

In Currency Markets the dollar was up on Friday morning in Asia but remained near a one-month low.  The U.S. Fed maintained a dovish stance in its latest policy decision, and disappointing U.S. economic data also curbed the U.S. currency’s month-long rally. The U.S. Dollar edged up 0.11 percent to 91.970. Against the Japanese yen, the dollar inched up 0.03 percent to 109.50. The Aussie inched down 0.08 percent to $0.7389 and the kiwi inched down 0.08 percent to $0.7003. The pound inched down 0.09 percent to $1.3948 and it was near its highest in over a month.

In US Equity Markets stocks rose on Thursday, boosted by robust U.S. earnings and forecasts, while data showed the economy recovered to pre-pandemic levels in the second quarter. The Dow rose 0.44 percent, to 35,084.53, the S&P 500 gained 0.42 percent, to 4,419.15 and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.11 percent, to 14,778.26. After the bell, shares of Amazon.com Inc were down more than 5 percent after the company reported results and forecast third-quarter sales below Wall Street expectations. Shares of Ford Motor Co rose 3.8 percent as the company lifted its profit forecast for the year.

In Commodities Markets oil prices rose on Thursday, as supplies in the United States tightened further after shrinking to the smallest levels since January 2020. Brent crude oil futures settled 1.75 percent at $76.05 a barrel. U.S. WTI crude oil futures settled up 1.7 percent at $73.62 a barrel. Spot gold was 1.3 percent higher at $1,830.11 per ounce. Silver rose 2.8 percent to $25.62 per ounce after hitting its highest since July 16. Platinum added 0.1 percent to $1,065.61 an ounce, and palladium gained 0.8 percent to $2,647.62.

In European Equity Markets stocks touched all-time highs on Thursday after strong earnings from commodity majors, Airbus and a clutch of other companies, while data showing record high euro zone economic sentiment in July added to the positive mood. The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.5 percent to a closing high of 460.57 points. UK-listed Royal Dutch Shell gained 3.8 percent and France’s Total Energies added 2.2 percent after both companies announced share buybacks as a rise in oil and gas prices boosted their earnings.

In Bond Markets U.S. Treasury yields inched higher on Thursday, but were below their peaks for the day, after a soft 7-year note auction added to the positive risk tone which persisted all day despite weaker-than-expected U.S. data. In late afternoon trading, the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield was up a little at 1.267 percent. U.S. 30-year yields were little changed at 1.913 percent from Wednesday’s 1.911 percent. Post-auction, U.S. 7-year note yields were slightly higher at 1.024 percent.