The Japanese stock index, Nikkei, closed lower Friday, impacted by the poor performance of semiconductor-related company shares amid investor concerns over ongoing investments by major technology firms.

Gold prices fell slightly during trading on Friday, August 1, and are heading for a weekly loss amid a stronger dollar following US President Donald Trump's imposition of new tariffs on dozens of countries, and amid anticipation of the release of the US jobs report later today.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the United States has agreed to reduce mutual tariffs with South Korea from 25% to 15%, in exchange for major investments and full market access. He also revealed plans to hold a summit with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung at the White House within two weeks.

The Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX 30) closed on Thursday at 4,780.98 points, rising by 31.8 points or 0.67% compared to the previous trading session, which stood at 4,749.15 points.

Gold prices rose on Thursday from their lowest level in a month reached in the previous session, as uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariff announcements increased demand for safe haven assets.

Meta Group (Facebook and Instagram) recorded strong growth in quarterly revenues and profits, according to its financial results announced on Wednesday, despite its increasing spending on artificial intelligence and the economic disruptions caused by tariffs.

Data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics released Thursday showed that manufacturing activity contracted for the fourth consecutive month in July.

Iran's Customs Administration announced that the volume of non-oil trade reached 61 million and 20 thousand tons, worth $34 billion and 175 million, during the first four months of the current year, which begins on March 20, 2025.

Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom announced the launch of a pilot uranium processing unit in Tanzania.

The US dollar hovered near a one-month high on Wednesday as markets awaited the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decision.

The French economy recorded an unexpectedly high growth rate during the second quarter of this year, as inventory buildup offset a decline in domestic demand.

Gold prices rose on Wednesday, supported by lower US Treasury yields and a slight decline in the dollar, as investors awaited the US Federal Reserve's statement later in the day for clues on the future path of monetary policy.

Germany’s public debt rose to a new record high of €2.510 trillion last year, according to data released Tuesday by the Federal Statistical Office.

Russian company Yandex announced strong financial results for the second quarter of 2025 on Tuesday, recording significant growth across all indicators, reflecting its robust performance and ability to maintain growth momentum despite challenges.

Gold prices fell in early trading on Tuesday, affected by the easing of concerns about an escalation in the global tariff war, along with a rise in the U.S. dollar, as investors await new signals from the Federal Reserve regarding the path of interest rates.

The euro fell on Tuesday as the US-EU trade deal failed.

The Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX 30) closed Monday’s session at 4,743.06 points, up 3 points or 0.06% from the previous close of 4,740.05.

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has described the newly signed EU-US trade agreement as a political, economic, and moral failure for the European Union.

Profits of major industrial firms in China declined by 1.8% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, according to official data released on Sunday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The South China Morning Post reported that a high-level delegation comprising American businessmen is visiting China this week, coinciding with the new round of trade negotiations between Beijing and Washington.