-U.S. Stocks Rise as Investors Anticipate More Stimulus

Last week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) crossed 27,000 points for the first time since February, as investors anticipated more stimulus from the US government to support the economy.

The US stock market has been on a tear since late March, when Congress passed the CARES Act, a $2 trillion stimulus package designed to prop up the economy during the coronavirus pandemic. The DJIA has gained nearly 5,000 points, or about 23%, since then.

The rally has been driven by a combination of factors, including record-low interest rates, a flood of corporate bond buying by the Federal Reserve, and optimism that the worst of the pandemic is behind us.

Now, investors are turning their attention to the next round of stimulus, which is expected to be announced soon by the Trump administration. The administration is reportedly considering a payroll tax cut, as well as more direct payments to Americans.

The financial news today has sent stocks higher in pre-market trading this morning, with the DJIA on track to open above 27,000 for the first time since February.

With the US economy showing signs of life, investors are betting that more stimulus will help keep the recovery on track. So far, the Trump administration has been receptive to the idea of more stimulus, and it seems likely that more relief is on the way.

-European stocks mixed as investors weigh up stimulus

European stocks were mixed on Thursday as investors weighed up the prospects of further stimulus measures from central banks.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index was up 0.1% by 0815 GMT, with cyclical sectors including banks, autos and energy leading the gains, while tech stocks lagged.

Investors were keeping an eye on developments in the U.S. stimulus talks, with Democrats and Republicans appearing no closer to agreeing on a new relief package.

The European Central Bank is widely expected to announce more stimulus measures at its meeting next week, after already expanding its pandemic emergency purchase program by 600 billion euros ($708 billion) in June.

In company news, German luxury carmaker BMW was among the biggest gainers on the STOXX, rising 1.8% after it announced a partnership with U.S. technology giant Microsoft to develop its own cloud-based operating system.

-Asian stocks mostly higher as investors monitor U.S. stimulus

Asian stocks were mostly higher on Monday as investors monitored U.S. stimulus negotiations.

The Nikkei 225 in Japan rose 0.51% while South Korea's Kospi added 0.39%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was up 0.72%. Chinese mainland markets were closed for a public holiday.

Investors are closely watching developments on another round of U.S. fiscal stimulus after negotiations between Democrats and Republicans broke down last week.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Sunday that talks could resume this week. "I think there's a path to get something done," he said on Fox News.

President Donald Trump said on Twitter that he had instructed Mnuchin to "go ahead with direct payments to all."

Democrats have proposed a $2.2 trillion stimulus package while the White House has countered with a $1.6 trillion offer.

The impasse has raised concerns that the U.S. economy could lose momentum as Covid-19 cases surge. The U.S. set a daily record for new infections on Friday with more than 83,000.

In other markets, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.17%.

Oil prices were higher. U.S. crude rose 0.72% to $40.15 per barrel while Brent crude was up 0.67% to $42.31 per barrel.

The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of currencies, was at 93.846, after touching a low of 93.773 earlier in the session.

The Japanese yen traded at 105.38 per dollar, weakening from its level of 105.24 seen late Friday in New York.

The Australian dollar traded at $0.7075, weakening from its level of $0.7102 seen late Friday.

-Oil prices mixed as investors weigh U.S. stimulus prospects

The oil prices were mixed on Tuesday as the investors were weigh in on the prospects of further stimulus measures from the United States.

The West Texas Intermediate for January delivery was down 0.39 percent to $47.47 per barrel in New York. Brent crude for February settlement rose 0.15 percent to $50.39 a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.

The mixed oil prices came as the investors were assessing the prospects of more stimulus measures from the United States.

The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on a $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief bill later in the day. The bill, which was negotiated by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, includes $1,200 stimulus checks for adults, $600 enhanced unemployment benefits and $300 per week in federal unemployment benefits.

The prospects of more stimulus measures have boosted the oil prices in recent weeks as they increase the prospects of higher fuel demand. However, the continued surge in coronavirus cases in the United States and Europe has offset some of the optimism.

The United States recorded more than 1,900 deaths from the coronavirus on Monday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The country has now recorded more than 250,000 deaths from the pandemic.

In Europe, France and Germany reported a record number of new coronavirus cases on Monday. France reported more than 52,000 new cases, while Germany reported more than 24,000 new cases.

-Gold prices rise as investors seek safe haven

Gold prices have been on the rise in recent months as investors seek safe havens for their money. The precious metal has traditionally been seen as a safe investment during times of economic uncertainty, and with global stock markets volatile in recent months, many investors have been turning to gold as a way to protect their wealth.

The rise in gold prices has been driven by a combination of factors. Firstly, central banks around the world have been increasing their gold reserves, which has helped to support prices. Secondly, there has been an increase in demand for gold-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as investors seek to gain exposure to the metal without having to hold physical bullion.

Thirdly, geopolitical tensions have been fuelling demand for gold, as investors seek refuge from the potential for conflict. The ongoing trade war between the US and China, as well as the potential for a no-deal Brexit, have all added to the uncertainty in financial markets and led to increased demand for gold.

Finally, the low-interest-rate environment has made gold more attractive to investors, as the metal provides a good hedge against inflation. With central banks around the world expected to keep interest rates low for the foreseeable future, gold prices are likely to remain supported.

Looking ahead, the outlook for gold prices remains positive. Investors will continue to seek safe haven assets in the face of economic and political uncertainty, and this is likely to support prices. Central banks are also expected to continue to build their gold reserves, which will provide further support.

-Bond yields mixed as investors await U.S. stimulus news

Bond yields were mixed on Wednesday as investors awaited news on U.S. stimulus measures.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note was little changed at 0.668%, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond fell 1 basis point to 1.492%.

Yields move inversely to prices.

Investors are closely watching negotiations on a new coronavirus relief package as enhanced unemployment benefits are set to expire at the end of the month.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday that he is willing to consider a "targeted" relief bill, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has insisted on a more comprehensive package.

The economic data were mostly positive on Wednesday.

The ADP employment report showed that private payrolls increased by 167,000 in July, while economists had been expecting a gain of 1 million.

The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index rose to 54.2 in July from 52.6 in June, while economists had been expecting a reading of 53.5.

The ISM's services index also rose to 58.1 in July from 57.1 in June, while economists had been expecting a reading of 57.0.

The Labor Department's jobless claims report showed that initial claims fell to 1.186 million last week, while economists had been expecting a reading of 1.25 million.

"The bond market is treading water ahead of the stimulus news," said Tom di Galoma, managing director at Seaport Global Securities. "The data were better than expected, but the market is focused on the stimulus."

Investors are also keeping an eye on the Federal Reserve's policy meeting later this month. The central bank is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged at near-zero levels.