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 shares jumped 450 points or 1.9% to 24,597 on Tuesday morning deals, marking the second session of strong gains as all sectors advanced. The Hang Seng Tech Index climbed 2.8%, with investors focusing on upcoming tech earnings, including Xiaomi Corp. later today. WuXi AppTec Co. surged near 9% to a 14-month top after announcing a cash dividend and share buyback plan. EV maker BYD Co. soared 2.5%, on plans to roll out new super-charging tech across China. Consumers, financials, and property also logged strong gains, buoyed by a "special action plan" from Beijing to spur domestic...
The Nikkei 225 Index rallied 1.3% to around 37,900 while the broader Topix Index jumped 1.2% to 2,780 on Tuesday, extending recent gains and tracking Wall Street higher as US retail sales data eased recession concerns. Japanese stocks also benefited from a weaker yen, which enhances the profit outlook for the country's export-driven industries and makes local assets more attractive to foreign investors. Meanwhile, investors are focused on the upcoming Bank of Japan policy decision this week, with expectations that the central bank will hold interest rates steady at 0.5% when its meeting...
Asia-Pacific markets rose on Tuesday, tracking gains on Wall Street, which ticked up after U.S. retail sales data appeared to ease recession concerns. Investors will be keeping a close watch on Japanese markets, as the Bank of Japan kicks off its two-day monetary policy meeting on Tuesday. The central bank is widely expected to hold interest rates steady at 0.5% when the meeting concludes on Wednesday. The BOJ's two-day meeting coincides with the U.S. Federal Reserve, with the latter also expected to keep interest rates unchanged. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 started the day 1.34% higher,...
Stocks rose on Monday, building on their comeback from a four-week rout on Wall Street exacerbated by President Donald Trump's chaotic tariff policy rollout and falling consumer confidence. The S&P 500 gained 0.64% to close at 5,675.12, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.31% and ended at 17,808.66. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also advanced 353.44 points, or 0.85%, to end at 41,841.63. The 30-stock index was bolstered by gains in Walmart and International Business Machines.All three of the major averages posted back-to-back gains. "We're in a near-term counter-trend rally," Sam...
The S&P 500 rose on Monday as the benchmark tries to continue its comeback from correction territory following a four-week rout on Wall Street exacerbated by President Donald Trump's chaotic tariff policy rollout and falling consumer confidence. The broad market index gained 0.2%, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.3%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 237 points, or 0.6%, bolstered by gains in Walmart and International Business Machines Helping sentiment was the February retail sales report, as traders breathed a sigh of relief that the figures weren't worse. Retail sales...
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...