Equities rise after US-EU trade deal - 28.7.2025

The Dollar strengthening continues presently. The live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, added 0.1% on Friday.

Both EUR/USD and GBP/USD continued their sliding on Friday as ifo reported German business sentiment improved less than expected in July. Both Pound and euro are lower against the dollar currently. AUD/USD accelerated its retreating while USD/JPY continued its climbing on Friday with both the yen and Australian dollar lower against the Greenback currently.

US stock indexes futures are up currently after Wall Street ended higher on Friday. The three main stock benchmarks recorded daily gains in a narrow range from 0.24% to 0.47% as SP 500 and Nasdaq closed at new record highs led by gains in basic materials, industrials and consumer goods sectors’ shares.

European stock index futures are up today after closing mixed on Friday as president Trump said there was only a “50-50 chance” of trade deal with the EU. And yesterday president Trump announced a trade deal with EU that includes a 15% tariff on most EU goods and requires the EU to invest around $600 billion in the US, with tariff rates on spirits still under negotiation. Asian stock indexes futures are mostly rising currently as Japan’s Nikkei is defying the trend with US and Chinese officials scheduled to meet in Stockholm today to resolve trade tensions and reportedly seek a three-month extension of their tariff truce.

Brent is edging higher currently. Prices ended lower at 3-week lows on Friday after reports the previous day US is preparing to allow partners of Venezuela’s state-run PDVSA, starting with U.S. oil major Chevron, to operate with limitations in the sanctioned nation. US West Texas Intermediate WTI futures fell 1.3% but are higher currently. Brent slid 1.1% to $68.44 a barrel on Friday.