Gold continued to rise slightly on Thursday amid safe-haven demand despite a stronger dollar, while palladium jumped to its highest level in more than a month.

Japanese stocks ended mixed on Thursday as investors weighed data showing services activity contracted to the lowest level in more than two years, which could prompt the Bank of Japan to backtrack on its plans to raise interest rates.

Russia has surpassed Japan as the fourth largest economy in the world in terms of purchasing power parity, the International Monetary Fund said, with Russia's share of the global economy at 3.55% in 2024. China, the US, and India occupy the top three positions.

Gold prices rose to new record highs on Wednesday, as demand for safe-haven assets increased amid global uncertainty due to conflicts in the Middle East and the approaching US elections.

The Muscat Stock Exchange 30 index in Oman increased by 10.4 points, or 0.22 percent, on Wednesday, closing at 4,806.49 points, up from the previous session's close of 4,796.05 points.

Japanese stock indices experienced a decline during the morning trading session on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with the Nikkei index losing 555.13 points and the Topix index dropping 30.55 points.

Gold prices continued rising for the fifth trading session on Tuesday, despite the increase in US dollar against other key moneys.

Boursa Kuwait closed trading on Tuesday, with its general index down 13.06 points, or 0.19 percent, to reach 7013.85 points.

Gold prices rose to a new all-time high of $2734 per ounce in early trading on Monday, as geopolitical risks in the region continued.

The Muscat Stock Exchange 30 index in Oman increased by ten points, or 0.21 percent, on Sunday, closing at 4810.13 points, compared to the previous trading session's close of 4800.15 points.

The main index of the Muscat Stock Exchange broke the 4800 points barrier last week with the increase in demand for investment in the stock exchange and local investment institutions increasing their purchases and diversifying their investment portfolios.

The US budget deficit has recoded 1.8 trillion dollars in 2024, with 8% upsurge compared to last year, the US Treasury said late on Friday, following lavish expenditure including interests on the general debt.

Gold prices reached their highest level globally, reaching $2,700 an ounce for the first time ever, driven by concerns over the U.S. elections.

Gold prices increased on Thursday approaching historic records, backed by anticipations that senior central banks would choose more cuts in interest rates, as investors wait for data in the United States that could provide further clues about the size of the interest rates.

The US dollar on Thursday stabilized near its highest level in 11 weeks against a set of currencies, as the Australian dollar rose after employment figures exceeded anticipations for the 6th month.

The expanded Israeli offensive on Gaza could lead to dire impacts on the global economy, the World Bank's president said late on Tuesday, criticizing the huge losses in civilian lives as unacceptable.

Japanese stock indices rose in morning trading session at the Tokyo Stock Exchange Tuesday.

Oman's Muscat Stock Exchange 30 index rose 10.6 points and 0.22 percent on Wednesday, closing at 4813.05 points compared to the last trading session of 4802.43 points.

Sana'a-Saba: Today, Mohammed Al-Dawla, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kamran Company for Industry and Investment, commenced the dividend distribution to the company's shareholders across the capital municipality and the governorates of Ibb, Taiz, and Hodeidah. The dividends were issued at a profit rate of 31 percent, the highest since the company was established.

The Chinese yuan fell against the dollar in trading on Tuesday, with the People's Bank of China setting the reference rate at 7.0830 yuan per dollar.