US stocks on hold, Dow Jones falls 76 points

NEW YORK, New York – The U.S. stock market fell Tuesday as investors held their breath ahead of the widely anticipated Federal Reserve (FOMC) interest rate decision.

This Standard and Poor’s 500 fell a modest 9.93 points, or 0.18 percent, to 5,623.16. The decline reflected a cautious stance among investors amid uncertainty over inflation and interest rate policies.

Similarly, Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 75.64 points, also down 0.18 percent, to end the day at 41,546.44. Dow Jones’s performance was negatively impacted by losses in key sectors, with trading volume at 345.626 million shares.

On the other hand, NASDAQ Composite bucked the trend, rising 35.93 points, or 0.20 percent, to end at 17,628.06. The technology index benefited from a strong performance by the technology sector, pushing it into positive territory with trading volume of 3.751 billion shares.

Global Stock Market Review for Tuesday

Stock markets around the world closed Tuesday with a mix of gains and declines, with several major markets ending the session higher and a few falling.

CANADA

In Canada S&P/TSX Composite Index fell 24.37 points, or 0.10 percent, to end at 23,677.70. The slight decline came as the energy and financial sectors showed weakness, while daily trading volume was 116.208 million shares.

UNITED KINGDOM

In London FTSE100 rose by 31.42 points, closing at 8309.86, which means an increase of 0.38 percent.

EUROPE

Germany DAX PERFORMANCE INDEX recorded a more significant increase of 92.97 points, or 0.50 per cent, to end the session at 18,726.08.

In France CAC40 rose by 37.98 points, closing at 7,487.42, which is an increase of 0.51 percent.

This Euro Stoxx 50 also performed well, rising 33.15 points to 4,860.78, an increase of 0.69 percent.

This Euronext100 gained 6.10 points to end at 1472.88, up 0.42 percent.

Belgium BEAM 20 was the only major European index to decline, losing 4.96 points, or 0.12 percent, to close at 4,239.66.

ASIA

In Asia Hang Seng Index rose by 237.90 points, or 1.37 percent, to close at 17,660.02.

Other key markets include: SSE Composite Index fell 13.03 points, or 0.48 percent, to 2,704.09.

In Japan Nikkei 225 recorded a significant decline, losing 378.54 points, or 1.03 percent, to close the session at 36,203.22.

Singapore STI Index followed suit, gaining 22.99 points, or 0.64 percent, to close the session at 3,593.42.

In India S&P BSE SENSEX recorded a modest gain of 90.88 points, or 0.11 percent, to close at 83,079.66.

Indonesia IDX Composite rose by 19.65 points to 7,831.78, an increase of 0.25 percent.

In Malaysia Malaysian Stock Exchange KLCI recorded an increase of 0.73 percent, closing at 1664.28, which is an increase of 12.13 points.

In South Korea KOSPI Composite Index rose by 3.32 points, closing at 2,575.41, which means an increase of 0.13 percent.

Taiwan TSEC Weighted Index gained 90.43 points, or 0.42 percent, to close at 21,850.08.

OCEAN

Australia S&P/ASX200 added 19.30 points to 8,140.90, up 0.24 percent, while the Australian index All the usual ones closed at 8361.20, up 20.10 points and also 0.24 percent.

New Zealand S&P/NZX50 The stock fell by 32.44 points, or 0.26 percent, to close the session at 12,671.95.

MIDDLE EAST

Israel TA-125 The index fell by 24.96 points, or 1.24 percent, to close the session at 1,991.60.

Also in the Middle East Egypt EGX30 The index fell 101.00 points to close at 30,159.20, representing a loss of 0.33 percent.

AFRICA

In Africa Top 40 USD Net TRI Index in South Africa rose 61.45 points, or 1.36 percent, to close at 4,581.66.

Currency indices posted mixed results on Tuesday. US Dollar Index rose by 0.14 percent to 100.91, while MSCI Europe Index rose by 7.17 points, or 0.33 percent, to 2,192.15.

This British Pound Currency Index fell by 0.40 percent to 131.65, and Euro Currency Index fell by 0.11 percent, closing at 111.21.

Japan Yen Currency Index fell by 0.85 percent to end at 70.49, while Australian Dollar Currency Index increased by 0.07 percent, closing at 67.58.