Stocks Reach New Highs: Implications for Investors as Markets Anticipate Trump-Putin Talks
لندن – Global stock markets approached record highs on Friday as investors anticipated significant discussions between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska, alongside crucial U.S. retail data that could shed light on the state of the world’s largest economy.
The MSCI All Country World Index held onto recent gains, with European stocks showing slight increases in early trading. The index rose by 0.2% to reach 953.4, just below the all-time high of 954.21 achieved on Wednesday.
Wall Street futures also experienced a modest uptick, gaining about 0.1% to 0.2%.
The White House announced that the Trump-Putin meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. Alaska time (1900 GMT). The U.S. President’s aspirations for a ceasefire agreement regarding Ukraine remain uncertain. Trump suggested that a subsequent summit involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy could occur if the discussions prove fruitful.
"There remains a slight risk premium in European markets due to the ongoing conflict. Any resolution would likely reduce that," remarked Shaniel Ramjee, co-head of multi-asset at Pictet Asset Management, further noting that commodity prices, including oil, might also react.
"However, the market is learning to temper its expectations regarding these negotiations. Ultimately, Zelenskiy and the Europeans are not involved, and their participation will be necessary for any final agreement."
Market attention also turned to upcoming U.S. retail data following an unexpected rise in producer price figures on Thursday, which heightened inflation concerns and diminished projections for Federal Reserve rate cuts this year.
"That news eliminated speculation about a 50 basis point cut in September," stated Mike Houlahan, director at Electus Financial Ltd in Auckland.
The dollar index, which measures the U.S. currency against a basket of six major currencies, decreased by 0.2% to 97.965.
On Friday, Japanese GDP data revealed an annualized growth of 1.0% for the April-June quarter, surpassing analyst expectations. The dollar also weakened, falling 0.4% against the yen to 147.16.
In the commodities sector, Brent crude oil prices fell by 0.7% to $63.52 per barrel, while gold rose slightly, increasing by 0.2% to $3,342 per ounce.
Cryptocurrency markets stabilized after Bitcoin reached a record high of $124,480.82 on Thursday, rising by 0.9% during the latest trading session.
This week’s surge propelled Bitcoin to new heights, surpassing $123,000 and extending significantly beyond July’s peak, driven by institutional investment, corporate treasury adoption, supportive U.S. policies, and sovereign gains.
Notably, global financial advisory firm deVere Group has projected that Bitcoin could reach $150,000 before the end of 2025. The largest cryptocurrency has now appreciated over 31% since the beginning of the year and approximately 60% since market lows in April.
Factors such as substantial inflows into U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs, strategic allocations from major corporations, favorable policies from the Trump administration, and increased national-level profits from Bitcoin adoption are propelling this latest market rally.
Nigel Green, CEO and founder of deVere Group, remarked, “We are witnessing multiple powerful forces converging to drive Bitcoin to new heights. Institutional capital is entering through spot ETFs at unprecedented rates. Public companies are recognizing Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset. The White House is providing active support for this asset class, and nation states are already profiting from their Bitcoin holdings. These developments are part of a profound, systemic shift within the global financial landscape.”
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الحالي تفاؤل السوق العالمية stemming from anticipated talks between Trump and Putin, alongside strong U.S. retail data, suggests increased investment confidence that could spill over into Oman. This creates فرص للشركات المحلية to leverage rising commodity prices, particularly in oil, which may enhance their financial standing. Smart investors should consider diversifying their portfolios to include emerging cryptocurrency markets, like Bitcoin, which indicate a robust trend toward digital asset adoption, presenting potential for high returns.
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