News

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index opened down 11.80 points, or 0.13%, at 9072.00 on Friday, August 21.

The NI225 opened down 639.56 points, or 0.97%, at 65,577.23 on Friday, August 21.

Japan's nationwide unadjusted CPI rose 0.4% month-on-month in July, compared with 0% in the previous month.

Japan's national CPI rose 2% year-on-year in July, below the expected 1.90% and the previous reading of 1.60%.

Japan's core CPI rose 1.8% year-on-year in July, below the expected 1.80% and the previous reading of 1.60%.

Japan's July core CPI annual rate will be released in ten minutes.

The UK's GFK Consumer Confidence Key Purchasing Index rose to its highest level since December 2021.

The UK's GfK consumer confidence index for August was -14, the highest level since August 2024.

The UK's GfK consumer confidence index for August was -14, compared to a forecast of -18 and a previous reading of -17.

Australia's preliminary S&P Global Composite PMI for August was 52.5, compared to 53.2 in the previous month.

Australia's preliminary S&P Global Manufacturing PMI for August was 52, unchanged from the previous month.

Australia's preliminary S&P Global Services PMI for August was 52.9, compared to 53.6 in the previous month.

UK August Gfk Consumer Confidence Index is due in ten minutes.

New Zealand's imports in July totaled NZ$9.34 billion, compared to NZ$8.07 billion in the previous month.

New Zealand's 12-month trade balance for July was -NZ$5.24 billion, revised from -NZ$3.746 billion to -NZ$4.05 billion in the previous month.

New Zealand's trade balance in July was -NZ$1.949 billion, revised from -NZ$237 million in the previous month.

New Zealand's exports in July totaled NZ$7.39 billion, revised from NZ$8.09 billion to NZ$7.83 billion in the previous month.

US President Trump: Iran possesses some missiles and drones, but its production capacity is limited.

US President Trump: (Regarding Iran) We have no choice. Even if I had to do it a hundred times over, I would still do it. They must never have nuclear weapons. Iran has attacked countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain, which are "somewhat semi-neutral."

US President Trump: The US economy has never been stronger. If I run again, I will win by 25 percentage points.