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...
The Hang Seng lost 81 points or 0.3% to close at 23,980 on Tuesday amid broad sector losses, swinging from gains in the prior session. Sentiment weakened as U.S. stock futures tumbled after President Trump's abrupt exit from the G7 Summit in Canada, while Israel-Iran tensions extended into a fifth day. Investors also turned cautious ahead of the Fed's two-day policy meeting starting today, with a rate decision due Wednesday. While the board is expected to hold rates steady for a fourth straight time, geopolitical risks and rising oil prices could dampen hopes for near-term...
European stocks fell on Tuesday, with the STOXX 50 down 1% and the STOXX 600 down 0.8%, as fresh concerns over a potential escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict weighed on sentiment. The sell-off followed US President Trump's call for the evacuation of Tehran, and his early departure from the G7 summit, which fueled speculation that Washington may be preparing more forceful support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's military operations. Meanwhile, Israeli attacks on Iranian targets, including missile storage sites and launch infrastructure, continued. Among the worst...
The Nikkei 225 index rose 0.59% to close at 38,537 while the broader Topix index gained 0.35% to 2,787 on Tuesday, extending gains from the previous session as investors reacted to the Bank of Japan's latest policy decision. As expected, the central bank kept its policy interest rate steady at 0.5% and signaled a more gradual approach to balance sheet reduction starting next year, reflecting a cautious approach toward withdrawing stimulus. BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda stressed that policymakers are closely monitoring economic conditions, especially amid changing global trade dynamics, and left...
Hong Kong shares fell 59 points, or 0.2%, to 24,008 on Tuesday, reversing gains from the previous session as most sectors fell. A sharp drop in U.S. stock futures weighed on sentiment after President Trump urged evacuations from Tehran, stoking fears of a wider conflict as tensions between Israel and Iran entered a fifth day. Caution also prevailed ahead of the Fed's two-day policy meeting that begins today, with a rate decision due on Wednesday. While the Fed is widely expected to keep rates unchanged for a fourth straight day, rising geopolitical risks and rising oil prices could cloud...
The Nikkei 225 rose 0.3% to above 38,400, while the broader Topix gained 0.1% to 2,780 on Tuesday, extending gains from the previous session as investors awaited the Bank of Japan's latest policy decision. The central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged as it monitors developments in U.S. trade policy and assesses the inflationary impact of rising oil prices. Japanese equities also benefited from a rebound on Wall Street, where investors largely shrugged off rising tensions in the Middle East. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump called for a full evacuation of...
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...