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 76 points, or 0.3%, to 23,500 in early trade on Friday (3/28), reversing gains from the previous two sessions as declines spread across sectors. The Hang Seng is on track for a third straight weekly decline, down about 0.8% so far, amid concerns over tit-for-tat tariffs and upcoming auto levies from the US, along with the growing global trade dispute. Investors remain cautious ahead of China's March PMI data next week from official and private sources. Capping further losses, Morgan Stanley raised its year-end targets for MSCI China, the Hang Seng and other China...
Asia-Pacific stocks traded mixed on Thursday, tracking losses on Wall Street as investors weighed U.S. President Donald Trump's 25 percent tariffs on auto imports. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index ended the day 0.6 percent lower at 37,799.97, while the broader Topix index was flat at 2,815.47. In South Korea, the Kospi index fell 1.39 percent to 2,607.15 while the small-cap Kosdaq index dropped 1.25 percent to 707.49. Mainland China's CSI 300 index ended the day 0.33 percent higher at 3,932.42 while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index closed up 0.41 percent at 23,578.80. India's benchmark...
The Nikkei 225 Index tumbled 1.7% to below 37,200, while the broader Topix Index dropped 1.6% to 2,770 on Friday, hitting a two-week low as automakers continued to reel from US President Donald Trump's auto tariffs. Earlier this week, Trump announced a 25% tariff on all car imports starting next week, dealing a blow to Japan's export-driven economy, which relies heavily on auto shipments to the US. Major automakers suffered steep losses, including Toyota (-4.7%), Honda (-4.5%), Mazda (-3.4%), Subaru (-2.7%), and Suzuki (-2.2%). Japanese technology stocks also followed their US counterparts...
Stocks fell on Thursday as investors weighed the latest tariff-related news from President Donald Trump, including his new tariffs aimed at foreign automakers. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 155.09 points, or 0.37%, to end at 42,299.70. The S&P 500 declined 0.33% to close at 5,693.31, and the Nasdaq Composite slid 0.53% to settle at 17,804.03. Shares of several automakers declined after Trump on Wednesday evening announced 25% tariffs on "all cars that are not made in the United States," which will go into effect on April 2. General Motors pulled back more than 7%, while Ford...
European stocks closed lower Thursday as global markets reacted to new automotive tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. The regional Stoxx 600 index closed 0.44% lower as all major bourses declined. The Stoxx Europe autos index was down nearly 1% as most firms pared earlier losses, with Jeep maker Stellantis shedding 4.2%, Mercedes-Benz down 2.7% and Germany's BMW down 2.55%.Trump said on Wednesday that he will impose a 25% tariff on "all cars that are not made in the United States" with the levies due to take effect on April 2. Trump White House aide Will Scharf said the new...
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...