Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said on Thursday he continues to believe the U.S. central bank should cut interest rates at the end of this month amid mounting risks to the economy and the strong likelihood that tariff-induced inflation will not drive a persistent rise in price pressures. "It makes sense to cut the FOMC's policy rate by 25 basis points two weeks from now," Waller told a gathering of the Money Marketeers of New York University. "I see the hard and soft data on economic activity and the labor market as consistent: The economy is still growing, but its momentum...
European equity markets are set to open higher on Wednesday (1/22), continuing the positive momentum of recent sessions as U.S. President Donald Trump refrained from implementing his tariff threats into action, despite signing a series of executive orders. This provided some relief to global markets. EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis also stated that Europe would respond proportionately to any U.S. tariffs to protect the region's economic interests. Meanwhile, there are no major data releases in Europe on Wednesday, although EasyJet is due to report its latest earnings. Euro Stoxx 50 and...
The Shanghai Composite fell 1% to around 3,210 while the Shenzhen Component dropped 1.1% to 10,185 on Wednesday, with the Shanghai index hitting a one-week low after U.S. President Donald Trump said his team was discussing 10% tariffs on Chinese imports that could come into effect as early as Feb. 1. Trump's comments overshadowed more positive developments from Friday, when he had a friendly phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which they discussed trade and fentanyl, among other topics. At the World Economic Forum, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang stressed that there are...
Hong Kong stocks fell 319 points, or 1.6%, to 19,787 in early trading on Wednesday, ending a six-session rally after U.S. President Trump said he could impose 10% tariffs on all Chinese imports after excluding China from a list of countries he would soon target a day earlier.The Hang Seng fell from its highest level in nearly four weeks, weighed down by broad weakness. However, gains on Wall Street overnight helped limit further losses, as Trump is expected to announce a new investment push for AI, led by major companies including Softbank Group Corp., OpenAI and Oracle. At home, Hong...
The Nikkei 225 jumped 1.4% to above 39,500, while the broader Topix index rose 0.7% to 2,732 on Wednesday, hitting its highest level in almost two weeks and tracking gains on Wall Street overnight. The rally came as U.S. President Donald Trump opted not to implement his tariff threats, offering relief to global markets. Despite the gains, investors remained cautious ahead of the Bank of Japan's monetary policy decision later this week, with BOJ officials hinting at a possible interest rate hike. Nearly all sectors participated in the rally, with major blue-chip stocks, including Disco...
Asia-Pacific markets are set to open mostly higher on Wednesday (22/1), after Wall Street rose on President Donald Trump's less aggressive than expected tariff stance. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.27% at the open. Japan's Nikkei 225 futures are pointing to a stronger open for the market. Futures in Chicago were at 39,405 and its Osaka counterpart was last trading at 39,270, compared with the index's previous close of 39,027.98. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index futures were at 20,028, lower than the HSI's last close of 20,106.55. Investors will be watching for a Malaysian central bank...
According to a statement by the Federal Reserve (Fed), Fed Chair Jerome Powell met with United States (US) President Donald Trump on Thursday, where the head of the Fed reiterated that the Fed's...
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) maintained its cash rate at 4.1% during its April meeting, holding borrowing costs unchanged after slashing 25 bps in the February meeting, aligning with market...