The Hang Seng Index rose 212 points, or 0.8%, to close at 25,317 on Friday (August 22nd), rebounding from the previous session's decline as mainland Chinese markets reached a decade-high on resurgent tech optimism. The Hang Seng Technology Index surged 2.7% after DeepSeek launched its upgraded AI V3 model on Thursday, boosted by domestic semiconductors as Beijing develops chip self-sufficiency. Consumer stocks also rose sharply on hopes of fresh stimulus from Beijing after signs of a slowdown in Chinese activity in July. Locally, Hong Kong's annual inflation fell to a four-year low of 1.0%...
European stocks traded flat to lower on Friday as investors turned cautious ahead of Fed Chair Jerome Powell's Jackson Hole speech and weighed the impact of the EU's new trade deal with the US. Under the pact, the EU pledged $750 billion in US energy spending and at least $600 billion in investment, securing a tariff cap of 15% instead of the threatened 30%. Pharmaceuticals, like other EU exports, will face the 15% levy. Meanwhile, revised data showed Germany's economy contracted more sharply in Q2, dragged by a weaker manufacturing sector after US firms front-loaded purchases earlier in...
The Nikkei 225 rose 0.05% to close at 42,633 on Friday, while the broader Topix Index gained 0.58% to 3,101, snapping a three-day losing streak as investors digested fresh inflation data. Japan's core CPI increased 3.1% year-on-year in July 2025, easing from 3.3% in June but surpassing market expectations of 3%. The figure remained well above the Bank of Japan's 2% target, reinforcing bets on a rate hike later this year. Market sentiment was also shaped by caution ahead of US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's Jackson Hole speech, with investors wary he may push back against...
Hong Kong stocks increased 89 points or 0.3 to 25,191 in early trade on Friday, supported by gains across most sectors. The market rebounded from the prior session's losses despite overnight weakness on Wall Street, as investors cautiously awaited Fed Chair Powell's speech at Jackson Hole. Sentiment also improved on hopes of fresh stimulus from Beijing after China's economy slowed in July. Starting in September, the Chinese government will launch a one-year consumer loan subsidy program, covering 90% of interest costs, with local authorities funding the rest. Locally, Hong Kong's annual...