US consumer sentiment fell to 58.6 in August from 61.7—the first decline since April. The University of Michigan survey was conducted July 29–August 11, with tariff concerns again weighing on confidence. Full-year inflation expectations rose to 4.9%, while the 5–10-year forecast was 3.9%. Both were worse than economists' forecasts. Job concerns also increased: 62% of respondents predicted unemployment would rise. 58% planned to cut back on spending (cars, household goods, dining out), and durable goods purchasing conditions fell to their lowest in a year. Meanwhile, retail sales continued...
The Hang Seng advanced 158 points or 0.7% to end at a one-month peak of 22,663 on Tuesday, marking its fourth straight gain amid signs of easing trade tensions. President Trump said Sunday that the U.S. was engaging with several countries, including China, on trade deals. Locally, Hong Kong's economy grew 3.1% yoy in Q1 2025—the strongest pace in five quarters—driven by strong tourism and robust exports ahead of planned U.S. tariff hikes. A rally in the yuan to a 1-1/2-month high and intervention by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority to support the local dollar also lifted...
European stocks edged higher on Tuesday, with both the STOXX 50 and the STOXX 600 adding 0.1%, as investors focused on corporate earnings while awaiting key catalysts, including the Fed's monetary policy decision due tomorrow. Market participants also kept a close watch on trade tensions, particularly negotiations involving the US and several Asian countries. On the earnings front, Continental shares soared about 4% after the company's sales hit a 4-year high. Also, Vestas gained about 6% after the Danish company swung to profit in Q1 and Hugo Boss jumped almost 7% after a revenue...
Hong Kong shares rose 142 points, or 0.6%, to 22,645 in early trade on Tuesday, marking a fourth straight session of gains as markets reopened after a holiday. Broad sector gains—particularly in financials, property and consumer staples—pushed the index to a one-month high. Sentiment was further boosted by flash data showing the city's economy expanded 3.1% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, the strongest pace in five quarters, driven by robust tourism and exports ahead of U.S. President Trump's planned tariff hikes. In China, stock markets also resumed activity amid signs Beijing is...
US stocks closed lower Monday, unable to shake losses as investors weighed strong economic data against trade tensions and the upcoming Fed meeting. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq slipped 0.6% and 0.7% respectively, with the former snapping nine-day win streaks, while the Dow lost 98 points. Markets reacted to President Trump threatened new tariffs, including a 100% levy on foreign films, but sentiment improved following stronger-than-expected ISM services data. Still, uncertainty persisted after Trump said he has no plans to speak with China's President Xi, keeping investors cautious. Energy...
The S&P 500 moved lower to start the week as investors monitored the latest developments on global trade, including another surprise set of tariffs from President Donald Trump. The broad-market index shed 0.2%, while the Nasdaq Composite dipped about 0.3%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 115 points, or nearly 0.3%, meanwhile. The major indexes cut losses after data Monday from the Institute for Supply Management reflected stronger-than-expected service sector activity in April, even as company executives reported rising concern about tariffs. At its lows, the Dow fell as much...
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.
It...
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...
President Donald Trump said he would set levies on semiconductors in the coming two weeks, the latest indication he's readying a substantial expansion of his tariff regime.
"I'll be...