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 fell 182 points, or 0.8%, to close at 23,600 on Wednesday (3/12), reversing a subdued close in the previous session amid widespread losses. Sentiment was weighed down by concerns over China's deflation risks and the ongoing global trade spat. The EU escalated its trade dispute with the US by launching retaliatory new steel and aluminium tariffs, planning to impose duties on EUR26 billion worth of American goods. Caution also grew ahead of the US February CPI report after January's reading beat expectations. However, the losses were partly offset by a 34.4% yoy surge in Chinese...
European markets jumped at the open after the European Union announced retaliatory tariffs on US steel and aluminium imports. The regional Stoxx 600 rose 0.6% shortly after the opening bell, with all major bourses in positive territory. Regional investors will also be watching for any developments on a possible ceasefire for Ukraine, as well as corporate earnings, with clothing giants Inditex and Puma and carmaker Porsche updating investors on their financials. Market sentiment in the region improved on Tuesday as talks between US and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday ended...
Japan stocks were higher after the close on Wednesday, as gains in the Power, Rubber and Chemical, Petroleum & Plastic sectors led shares higher. At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 gained 0.03%. The best performers of the session on the Nikkei 225 were Mitsubishi Electric Corp (TYO:6503), which rose 6.30% or 161.50 points to trade at 2,723.00 at the close. Meanwhile, Concordia Financial Group Ltd (TYO:7186) added 5.91% or 52.90 points to end at 947.30 and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (TYO:7011) was up 5.40% or 125.00 points to 2,440.00 in late trade. The worst performers of...
Shares in Hong Kong added 33 points or 0.1% to 23,813 in a volatile trading session on Wednesday morning after a muted close the day before. A modest rise in US futures supported sentiment after a weak day on Wall Street overnight ahead of CPI prints later today. Traders also digested reports that Ukraine had agreed to an immediate 30-day ceasefire with Russia during talks with the U.S. in Saudi Arabia. In China, the annual parliamentary gathering concluded Tuesday, approving the central budget for 2025 and adopting a resolution on the 2024 work. Further gains were tempered, however, by...
The Nikkei 225 Index edged up 0.1% to around 36,830, while the broader Topix Index gained 0.8% to 2,692 on Wednesday, as Japanese stocks rebounded from multi-month lows amid improving risk sentiment. However, investor concerns lingered over US President Donald Trump's tariff policies and recession risks in the world's largest economy. Domestically, data revealed that sentiment among large manufacturing firms turned negative in the first quarter, highlighting ongoing economic challenges. In corporate news, Nissan Motor climbed 0.8% after announcing that CEO Makoto Uchida will step down on...
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...