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 dropped 163 points or 0.7% to close at 21,910 on Thursday, snapping a three-day winning streak. The pullback came as Washington signaled openness to easing tariffs on China but ruled out taking unilateral action. Meanwhile, U.S. futures plunged after Wall Street logged a second consecutive day of gains Wednesday, with investors cautiously awaiting earnings from Alphabet, Intel, and PepsiCo later today. Losses in Hong Kong were limited by reports that China began issuing special sovereign bonds to cushion the economy from rising trade tensions, aiming to raise CNY 286 billion...
European stocks opened lower in early trading on Thursday as a relief rally stalls. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was down by 0.5% at 8:30 am London time. Meanwhile, Germany's DAX and France's CAC 40 were also lower by 0.7%. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 is trading flat. Investors are digesting earnings releases from Unilever, Banco Sabadell, Sanofi, Eni, BNP Paribasand Dassault Systemes Regional markets had followed their global counterparts higher on Wednesday as concerns about a trade war between the U.S. and China receded. U.S. stocks also surged on Wednesday after President Donald Trump...
The Nikkei 225 Index rose 0.49% to close at 35,039 while the broader Topix Index gained 0.32% to 2,593 on Thursday, with Japanese shares rising for the second straight session and tracking Wall Street higher. The rally followed comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who signaled a softer stance on Chinese tariffs. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent added that the U.S. and China have a chance to reach a "big deal" on trade. Meanwhile, the U.S. reportedly informed Japan's trade delegation that Tokyo would not receive special treatment under Washington's current tariff regime, despite Japan's...
Hong Kong stocks fell 128 points or 0.6% to 21,940 in early Thursday trade, snapping gains in the previous three sessions as investors took profits after the Hang Seng touched a three-week high. US futures also dipped slightly after Wall Street overnight logged strong advances for the second straight day, supported by softer rhetoric from the White House on China tariffs and assurances that President Trump won't seek to remove Fed Chair Powell. Losses were seen across property, consumer, and tech sectors, while financials traded flat as investors awaited the April Politburo meeting for...
The Nikkei 225 Index jumped 0.8% to above 35,100 while the broader Topix Index gained 0.7% to 2,602 on Thursday, with Japanese shares rising for the second straight session and tracking Wall Street higher. The rally followed comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who signaled a softer stance on China tariffs. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent added that the U.S. and China have a chance to reach a "big deal" on trade. Investors also eyed progress in ongoing trade negotiations between the U.S. and Japan. On the monetary policy front, the Bank of Japan is widely expected to hold its...
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...