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...
Hong Kong stocks fell 73 points or 0.3% to 21,908 in early Monday trading, reversing gains from the prior session as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of a key press briefing in China. Policymakers may announce new measures aimed at stabilizing employment and supporting growth following Friday's Politburo meeting. The decline came amid a sharp drop in U.S. futures, triggered by confusion over U.S. trade policy. Although President Donald Trump claimed progress was being made in trade talks with China and other nations, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent failed Sunday to support Trump's...
The Nikkei 225 Index climbed 1% to above 36,000 while the broader Topix Index rallied 1.2% to 2,670 on Monday, extending last week's rally, with export-oriented companies leading the gains as the yen retreated from multi-month highs. A weaker yen boosts the profit outlook for Japan's export heavy industries and makes Japanese assets more attractive to foreign investors. Markets also kept a close eye on trade negotiations between the US and Japan, which appeared to be making progress. Industrial names posted strong gains, with Mitsubishi Heavy rising 3%, Toyota Industries up 2.3%, and...
Asia-Pacific markets rose higher Monday as investors await further stimulus measures from China as well as developments in trade negotiations between the U.S. and countries in the region. Over the weekend, China's finance minister Lan Fo'an said that the Asian powerhouse will "adopt more proactive macroeconomic policies to promote the realization of the expected growth target for the whole year and continue to bring stability and momentum to the global economy," according to a Google translation of a statement posted on the ministry's website. Chinese authorities are slated to hold a press...
US stocks closed higher on Friday, marking a fourth straight session of gains, driven by strength in Big Tech, while President Trump's latest tariff remarks kept trade tensions in the spotlight. The S&P 500 rose 0.7%, the Nasdaq gained 1.1%, and the Dow gained 20 points. Trump's suggestion of a 50% tariff would be a "total victory" added to uncertainty, while Beijing dismissed claims that talks were ongoing, offsetting optimism from China's decision to exempt some US goods from tariffs. Alphabet shares rose 1.5% after beating earnings estimates, declaring its first dividend, and...
European stocks extended their rally into a fourth session on Friday, with the STOXX 50 up 0.8% and the STOXX 600 up 0.3%. Traders took some comfort from signs of a potential U.S.-China tariff truce, despite denials from China and advances from the U.S. Reports suggested China was considering suspending 125% tariffs on certain U.S. imports, while President Trump reiterated that trade talks were going well. Both indexes posted a second straight week of gains, up 4.4% and 2.5% respectively. Earnings season, meanwhile, remained in focus, with Safran shares up 4.2% after the company reported...
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...