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 Nikkei 225 Index gained 0.2%, surpassing 39,250, while the broader Topix Index added 0.15% to reach 2,770 on Tuesday, extending gains from the previous session as the yen halted its recent rally, easing pressure on domestic equities. On Monday, data revealed that Japan's economy grew by 0.7% quarter-on-quarter in the fourth quarter, up from 0.4% growth in the previous quarter and exceeding expectations of 0.3%. On an annualized basis, Japan's GDP expanded by 2.8% in Q4, in line with forecasts and accelerating from a 1.7% increase in Q3. However, investor sentiment remained cautious after...
Asia-Pacific markets were set to open mixed Tuesday, a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping signaled support to the country's private sector and urged businesses to "show their "talents." Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.43%, ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia's policy decision. Reuters estimates a 25-basis-point rate cut to 4.1%. The Australian dollar had strengthened 0.05% to 635 against the dollar. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 started the day 0.28% higher, while the broader Topix index advanced 0.37%. South Korea's Kospi was marginally higher, while the small-cap Kosdaq...
European stocks bounced back on Monday, with the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 closing about 0.5% higher at new records, boosted by a surge in defense stocks amid expectations of increased defense spending by European governments. European leaders meet in Paris today to discuss Russia's invasion of Ukraine and formulate a response after the U.S. signaled limits to its support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, U.S.-Russian negotiations on the Ukraine war are set to begin this week in Saudi Arabia, although uncertainty persists over Ukraine's participation, and European countries were not invited. Also,...
The Hang Seng closed nearly unchanged at 22,616 on Monday, after an initial surge of almost 1.5% earlier in the session. Gains in property and financial stocks offset losses in the technology and consumer sectors. Traders took profits following a tech-driven rally while awaiting further policy signals from Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting with private enterprises, including Alibaba, Meituan, Xiaomi Corp, and BYD Co. Investors also monitored reports from Reuters indicating that Beijing hopes the European Commission will make a "political decision" regarding the bloc's anti-subsidy...
The Hang Seng closed nearly flat at 22,616 on Monday after rising almost 1.5% earlier in the session. Gains in property and financial stocks ultimately offset losses in technology and consumer sectors. Traders appeared to take profits following a tech-driven rally while awaiting further policy signals from Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting with private enterprises, including Alibaba, Meituan, Xiaomi Corp, and BYD Co. Investors also monitored reports from Reuters, which indicated that Beijing hopes the European Commission will make a "political decision" regarding the bloc's...
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...