Latest Stock Market News

U.S. stocks surged for a third consecutive day, fueled by technology shares and optimism surrounding potential de-escalation in U.S.-China trade tensions. The Nasdaq led gains, boosted by AI-driven software firm ServiceNow s strong results.

Oil prices saw a slight increase on Friday but are heading for a weekly loss due to potential OPEC+ output increases and hopes for a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire. These factors could boost supply while conflicting U.S. tariff signals create uncertainty about demand. Successful talks with Iran and Europe could also lead to increased oil exports.

Gold prices edged higher on Friday, poised for a third consecutive week of gains, as investors keenly observed developments in U.S.-China trade negotiations. Spot gold saw a rise of 0.2% to $3,354.29 an ounce, while U.S. gold futures also gained. The market remains sensitive to trade tensions and U.S. economic data, with traders anticipating potential rate cuts by 2025-end.

The dollar experienced a volatile week, initially dropping due to President Trump s criticism of the Federal Reserve, then surging on hopes of trade de-escalation with China. However, uncertainty persists as Beijing denies ongoing trade talks. The dollar rose against the yen and Swiss franc, while the euro and sterling weakened.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva lauded Germany, Britain, and Argentina for their significant policy shifts, calling it a "new era" for the global economy. Germany s fiscal expansion is expected to positively impact Europe. Britain s efforts to boost its economy and trade ties with the EU were also praised.

Alphabet announced a $70 billion share buyback and a 5% dividend increase, exceeding first-quarter earnings expectations. Shares surged 4% in extended trading, adding approximately $75 billion to its market value. Google s advertising revenue grew by 8.5%, offsetting slower growth in its cloud computing unit, while total revenue reached $90.23 billion, surpassing analysts estimates.

Alphabet, Google s parent company, reported a $34.5 billion profit, driven by strong cloud and AI growth. However, it faces major US antitrust battles that could force it to divest Chrome or Android. Despite strong earnings, legal pressures threaten Google s dominance in search and advertising, with appeals ongoing

The fourth quarter earnings season is gaining traction, with key companies like Maruti Suzuki and RIL set to announce their results. RIL anticipates a profit decline despite revenue growth, while Maruti Suzuki expects revenue growth but faces profitability challenges due to rising costs. Analysts have mixed views on Maruti s net profit, with some predicting growth and others forecasting a decline.

Reliance Industries is expected to announce its Q4 results, with a potential dip in profitability due to a weak O2C business. However, the retail and Jio sectors are anticipated to demonstrate robust growth, significantly contributing to the overall performance. Investors are also awaiting the announcement of a dividend, the first in nearly three quarters.