The Nikkei Index slipped lower in volatile trading on Tuesday but still ended above the key 13 000 points level, as investors moved to the side lines ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy meeting.

The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong ended lower on Tuesday with investors taking their profits on recent gains, while shares on mainland China also traded broadly lower.

Reuters reports that European markets are expected to open lower on Tuesday, as investors worried over the possibility that the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank may ease back on its monetary stimulus at its upcoming policy meeting.

According to the CNN Money website, shares on Wall Street closed a volatile trading session on Monday sharply higher, despite a story that said that the Fed was “close to tapering down” its stimulus measures.

The Business Day reports that the JSE closed firmer on Friday with bullish global sentiment helping the local bourse to recover some of the week’s losses, despite low trading volumes, while the platinum sector was particularly volatile on news that AMCU postponed a planned strike over recognition rights.

The Rand experienced an extremely volatile day on Friday as rumours dictated the direction of trade. The Rand was last trading weaker this morning at R10.0265 against the Dollar, with the Pound at R15.6749, while the Euro was also quoted lower at R13.3640.

The gold price dropped lower on Tuesday as weak physical demand, as well as persistent fears that the U.S. Federal Reserve may cut its $85 billion monthly bond purchases, weighed on investor sentiment. Gold was last trading slightly lower at $1 378.62, with the platinum price quoted lower at $1 422.75, while the palladium price was trading at $703.10.

The Brent crude oil price was last trading higher at $105.63 a barrel.

The Nikkei Index lost 6.4% on Thursday, reaching its lowest level since early April when the Bank of Japan revealed its broad stimulus plans to kick-start the economy, while hedge funds cut their long positions on Japanese equities and short Yen positions.

Chinese markets fell to six-month lows on Thursday, after media reports suggested that Beijing would most likely maintain its policy position despite lacklustre economic growth, while a sell-off on global markets on worries that central banks could ease back from their stimulus measures, also hurt investor sentiment.

European stock futures are suggesting a much lower open on Thursday, following sharp losses on Wall Street overnight and on Asian markets this morning.

According to the CNN Money website, U.S. markets closed lower for a third straight session on Wednesday, with the Dow putting in its worst losing streak this year and falling below the key 15 000 points level, while the broader S&P 500 Index slipped 0.8% lower and the technology heavy NASDAQ fell 1%, on increasing volatility amid persistent uneasiness over central banks cheap money plans.

The Business Day reports that the JSE closed firmer on Wednesday, in line with a broader rally on global markets, but local retail shares such as Woolworths dropped 2.67% lower after Statistics South Africa released weaker-than expected retail sales growth for April, while investors also remained nervous over the stimulus measures from major central banks.

The Rand was last trading softer again at R10.0682 against the Dollar, with the Pound at R15.7466, while the Euro was also quoted weaker at R13.4673.

Gold climbed higher for a second session on Thursday, on the back of sharply weaker Asian markets, as well as a softer U.S Dollar. Gold was last trading higher at $1 388.41, with the platinum price quoted lower at $1 4465.50, while the palladium price was trading at $752.80.

The Brent crude oil price was last trading slightly higher at $103.18 a barrel.

The Nikkei Index lost 6.4% on Thursday, reaching its lowest level since early April when the Bank of Japan revealed its broad stimulus plans to kick-start the economy, while hedge funds cut their long positions on Japanese equities and short Yen positions.

Chinese markets fell to six-month lows on Thursday, after media reports suggested that Beijing would most likely maintain its policy position despite lacklustre economic growth, while a sell-off on global markets on worries that central banks could ease back from their stimulus measures, also hurt investor sentiment.

European stock futures are suggesting a much lower open on Thursday, following sharp losses on Wall Street overnight and on Asian markets this morning.

According to the CNN Money website, U.S. markets closed lower for a third straight session on Wednesday, with the Dow putting in its worst losing streak this year and falling below the key 15 000 points level, while the broader S&P 500 Index slipped 0.8% lower and the technology heavy NASDAQ fell 1%, on increasing volatility amid persistent uneasiness over central banks cheap money plans.

The Business Day reports that the JSE closed firmer on Wednesday, in line with a broader rally on global markets, but local retail shares such as Woolworths dropped 2.67% lower after Statistics South Africa released weaker-than expected retail sales growth for April, while investors also remained nervous over the stimulus measures from major central banks.

The Rand was last trading softer again at R10.0682 against the Dollar, with the Pound at R15.7466, while the Euro was also quoted weaker at R13.4673.

Gold climbed higher for a second session on Thursday, on the back of sharply weaker Asian markets, as well as a softer U.S Dollar. Gold was last trading higher at $1 388.41, with the platinum price quoted lower at $1 4465.50, while the palladium price was trading at $752.80.

The Brent crude oil price was last trading slightly higher at $103.18 a barrel.