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 154 points or 0.6% to close at 23,916 on Friday, marking the second straight session of losses amid broad-based sector declines. The benchmark dropped 1.5% for the week, reversing gains from the prior period as investors grew cautious ahead of U.S. President Trump's July 9 tariff deadline. Adding pressure, China's commerce ministry finalized its EU brandy investigation, imposing tariffs of up to 34.9% for five years starting July 5. Market participants also eyed key Chinese data due next week—including June CPI and PPI amid lingering deflation risks. U.S. markets were...
Europe's stock markets are in the red across the board at the open, with the regional Stoxx 600 index down 0.4%, the U.K.'s FTSE 100 down 0.32%, Germany's DAX down 0.29% and France's CAC 40 down 0.72%. French drinks sellers are taking an early hit, with Pernod Ricard down 3.3%, Remy Cointreau down 4.5% and luxury giant LVMH down 2.1%, as news breaks that China's commerce ministry has issued a final ruling on its probe into European Union brandy. The investigation ruled that the bloc has engaged in dumping of the spirit, according to a Google translation of a ministry relief. According to...
The Nikkei 225 edged up 0.06% to close at 39,811, while the broader Topix slipped 0.04% to 2,828 on Friday, with both indexes ending the session virtually flat as renewed concerns over US tariff policy dampened investor sentiment. Market caution intensified after President Donald Trump announced plans to begin issuing letters on trade matters, potentially setting unilateral tariff rates. Trump has previously threatened to raise tariffs on Japanese goods by up to 35%, citing dissatisfaction with Japan's limited imports of American rice and automobiles. On the domestic front, household...
The Hong Kong stock market experienced a low opening followed by an expanded decline. The Hang Seng Index opened down by 169 points or 0.7%, standing at 23,900 points, breaching the 24,000 mark once more. The latest data reflects a drop of 377 points or 1.57%, settling at 23,692 points. The state-owned enterprise index also saw a downturn of 129 points or 1.5%, reaching 8,518 points, while the technology index reported 5,129 points, marking a decline of 103 points or 1.98%. The main board witnessed transactions exceeding 89.7 billion Hong Kong dollars. At 10.50am, the Hang Seng Index was...
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Friday after Wall Street gained on a better-than-expected jobs report eased investors' concerns of a slowdown in the U.S. economy. Japan's Nikkei 225 benchmark was flat in choppy trade while the broader Topix index added 0.15%. In South Korea, the Kospi index fell 0.56% while the small-cap Kosdaq declined by 0.8%. Over in Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 moved up 0.21%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 23,991, pointing to a lower open compared to the HSI's last close of 24,069.94. Overnight stateside, U.S. stocks rose with the broad-based...
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...