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...
US stocks reached new peaks on Friday as optimism of relaxed trade policy and confidence about rate cuts by the Federal Reserve outweighed pessimistic economic data. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 inched 0.3% higher to a new record while the Dow gained 200 points. Commerce Secretary Lutnick stated that the US reached a trade agreement with China, consolidating the relief of lower tariffs and preventing rare earth shortages. Officials also hinted at progress in trade deals with ten other countries, suggesting that the White House grew some aversion to trade barriers. In turn, the...
The Hang Seng lost 41 points or 0.2% to close at 24,284 on Friday, marking a second session of drop after a brief rise in morning trade. Sentiment turned cautious after data showed that China's industrial output slumped 9.1% yoy in May, the first fall in three months, dragging year-to-date output down 1.1% amid deflation risks and tariff uncertainty. Traders were also worried ahead of June PMI data in China next week from official and private sources. Property stocks dipped, with losses from China Overseas Land (-3.9%), Henderson Land (-2.3%), and Longfor Group (-1.8%). Pharma names such as...
European stocks rose on Friday as investors assessed signs of easing trade tensions between the United States and China, raising hopes of a further trade deal before a U.S. tariff pause deadline is lifted in July. The pan-European STOXX 600 index, which opened up 0.6 percent at 540.67 points, as of 0707 GMT. It was on track for its first weekly gain in three weeks. Other major regional indexes also traded higher. The United States has reached a deal with China on how to speed up shipments of rare earths to the United States, a White House official said on Thursday. With concerns about...
Japanese stocks rose after the close on Friday (6/27), as gains in the Real Estate, Banking and Textile sectors boosted shares. At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 rose 1.42% to hit a fresh 3-month high. The best performer on the Nikkei 225 was Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. (TYO:5713), which rose 6.87% or 232.00 points to trade at 3,610.00 at the close. Meanwhile, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co Ltd (TYO:4506) rose 6.62% or 61.00 points to close at 983.00 and Yokohama Rubber Co Ltd (TYO:5101) gained 6.42% or 235.00 points to close at 3,897.00. The worst performers on the session were...
Hong Kong stocks edged up 25 points, or 0.1%, to 24,348 in early trade on Friday, following losses in the previous session, largely supported by gains in consumer stocks. An overnight rally on Wall Street lifted sentiment after the S&P 500 closed near a record. The White House's efforts to play down a looming July tariff deadline also helped calm investor nerves. However, the upside momentum was capped by caution ahead of the release of the US PCE index, the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, due later in the day. Meanwhile, recent data showed a slight annual decline in China's industrial...
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...