The Hang Seng Index weakened 61 points, or 0.24%, to close at 25,105 on Thursday (August 21st), reversing earlier gains after a sluggish start. Sentiment weakened as US index futures weakened, following the FOMC minutes that signaled a hawkish stance amid persistent inflation risks ahead of the Fed's Jackson Hole symposium. Chairman Powell also expressed reluctance to cut interest rates, warning of tariff-driven price pressures this summer. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that China is considering allowing yuan-backed stablecoins to encourage global currency adoption, a potential shift in its...
European equities were little changed on Thursday as investors awaited updates from the Federal Reserve's Jackson Hole symposium for clues on the path of monetary policy. The pan-European STOXX 600 index opens was flat as of 0704 GMT, while most major bourses were mixed. Central bankers from around the world will be at the event, and the focus will remain on Fed Chair Jerome Powell's last speech at the summit in the position for hints of possible rate cuts this year. Also on the slate later in the day are flash purchasing managers' index (PMI) data for August for the euro zone, France,...
Japanese stocks dropped for a third day, with investors remaining on the sidelines as central bankers gather in Jackson Hole, Wyoming for an eagerly awaited annual symposium. Topix Index fell 0.5% to 3,082.95 as of 3:31 p.m. Tokyo time Out of 1,679 stocks in the index, 694 rose and 911 fell, while 74 were unchanged Nikkei declined 0.6% to 42,610.17 Auto and pharmaceutical shares slumped, while profit-taking pressured sectors such as construction. Meanwhile, some AI-related stocks including Advantest were picked up by investors after Wednesday's selloff to gain...
Hong Kong shares were little changed on Thursday morning, holding near 25,174 after a modest gain in the previous session. Investors digested minutes from the latest FOMC meeting, which struck a hawkish tone amid lingering inflation risks. Meanwhile, U.S. President Trump reportedly called on Fed Governor Lisa Cook to resign over allegations of providing false information to secure favorable mortgage terms. In China, equities extended gains as funds rotated into stocks despite ongoing U.S. trade tensions, while Beijing pressed ahead with curbs on excessive competition. Sector performance...