The ISM Manufacturing PMI fell to 48 in July 2025 from 49 in June, missing expectations of a rise to 49.5. This figure marked the fifth consecutive month of contraction in the manufacturing sector and was the weakest since October of last year. The largest negative contributions came from declines in supplier deliveries (45.7 vs. 46.7) and employment (43.4 vs. 45.0). On the positive side, production increased (51.4 vs. 50.3), while declines in new orders (47.1 vs. 46.4) and backlogs (46.8 vs. 44.3) eased. Price pressures also eased, with the price index falling to 64.8 from 69.7. Source:...
Hong Kong stocks maintained their momentum on Thursday, lifted by optimism over US-EU tariff negotiations and a revival in global trade diplomacy. The Hang Seng Index rose 129.11 points, or 0.5%, to close at 25,667.18, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI) added 16.42 points, or 0.2%, to 9,257.62. Investor sentiment improved after reports that the US and European Union are moving closer to a trade agreement that would impose a broad 15% tariff on EU imports, replacing the steeper 30% duty set to take effect on August 1. The deal, which may include automobiles, would mirror a...
Japan's Topix hits record high as Asia-Pacific stocks climb on trade deal optimism Japan's Topix closes at a record high as region ends trading day largely in the green Asia markets ended the day largely in the green. Japan's Topix jumped 1.75% to close at a record high of 2,977.55. The country's benchmark Nikkei 225 added 1.59% to end the trading day at 41,826.34. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.21% to 3,190.45, though the small-cap Kosdaq slipped 0.45% to close at 809.89. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.32% to close at 8,709.4. Mainland China's CSI 300 rose 0.71% to 4,149.04. Source:...
European stock markets traded higher on Thursday, with the STOXX 50 climbing nearly 1% and the broader STOXX 600 advancing 0.6%, buoyed by growing trade optimism after reports that the EU and US are nearing a deal to impose 15% tariffs on select European imports while waiving duties on others. Investors are also closely watching the European Central Bank's policy announcement later today, with interest rates widely expected to remain unchanged following a series of cuts, as policymakers navigate ongoing trade uncertainty. On the corporate front, Deutsche Bank shares jumped 6% after the...
Following a four-day winning streak, Hong Kong's stock market saw a slight correction on Thursday morning (24th July). The Hang Seng Index opened 9 points lower, down 0.04%, at 25,528 points. Meanwhile, the China Enterprises Index fell by 15 points, or 0.17%, to 9,225 points, and the Hang Seng Tech Index dropped 14 points, or 0.26%, to 5,730 points. Financial stocks showed mixed performances. AIA Group rose 0.21%, while Ping An Insurance and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing remained unchanged. HSBC Holdings climbed 0.8%, trading at HK$100.8. Among major tech stocks, Meituan fell 0.15%,...
The Nikkei 225 Index rallied 1.1% to above 41,600 while the broader Topix Index jumped 1.5% to 2,970 on Thursday, with the latter reaching all-time highs as the recently announced trade deal with the US and Japan continued to support market momentum. Japan now faces a 15% tariff on its exports to the US, lower than the 25% levy that Trump threatened in a letter earlier this month. Global sentiment improved further on reports of progress in US-EU trade talks. On the domestic front, data showed that Japan's private sector growth held steady in July, with continued strength in services...
China's official NBS Manufacturing PMI increased to 49.7 in June 2025 from May's 49.5, matching market expectations while marking the third consecutive month of contraction in factory activity.
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Both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 hovered around the flatline on Friday, as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of further developments in trade talks between US President Trump and Chinese...
The U.S. will levy a 30% tariff on South African exports next week, after Pretoria failed to reach a trade deal before President Donald Trump's deadline. The new rate is part of a broader executive...