Global stock markets advanced on Monday, buoyed by progress in several trade negotiations, which lifted investor confidence and boosted risk appetite.
Futures for the S&P 500 rose 0.4%, after the index closed at a record high on Friday, while European stock futures also climbed 0.4%. In Asia, equities edged up 0.2%, led by a 1.5% surge in Japan’s Nikkei-225, after the country’s top trade negotiator extended his visit to the United States for further discussions.
In currency markets, the Canadian dollar strengthened, supported by Canada’s decision to rescind its digital services tax, a gesture seen as a move to advance talks with the US.
Meanwhile, a broad gauge of the US dollar slipped 0.2%, reflecting uncertainty as Senate negotiations continued over President Donald Trump’s $4.5 trillion tax-cut package. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index is now facing its worst start to a year since at least 2005.
On the commodities front, crude oil prices fell 0.5%, as traders pared back risk premiums ahead of the upcoming OPEC+ meeting, where potential production strategies are expected to be discussed.
Friday’s rally on Wall Street, which saw the S&P 500 hit a fresh all-time high for the first time since February, underscored investor confidence that the US economy remains resilient amid policy shifts. President Trump’s temporary pause on tariffs in April helped further support market momentum.
