Silver prices weakened slightly and are now hovering around US$39–39.40 per ounce, still near their highest levels since 2011. Strengthening bond yields and the US dollar have somewhat curbed the upward trend, but the white metal still posted a year-over-year surge of more than 36%—leading gold's rise of around 31%. The global silver market has recorded a deficit for five consecutive years, and by 2025, a shortfall of approximately 149 million ounces is expected. Mine production has increased slightly, but not enough to offset surging demand. Despite pressure from a strengthening US dollar...
The Hang Seng surged 354 points or 1.5% to end at 23,512 on Tuesday, reversing Monday's losses amid strength in all sectors. Hopes that President Trump and China's leader Xi Jinping may speak this week boosted sentiment, signaling a potential easing in trade tensions. Meantime, Finance Secretary Paul Chan reaffirmed Hong Kong's 2025 GDP growth target of 2% to 3%, citing solid Q1 data as well as recent monetary easing and business support measures in China. In corporate news, Vodafone and CK Hutchison finalized their UK merger, launching VodafoneThree with plans to invest £11 billion over...
European shares rebounded on Tuesday, with the Stoxx 50 and Stoxx 600 rising about 0.2%, supported by broader market gains. Investors remained focused on US trade policy developments, with some hope after the White House said Presidents Trump and Xi may speak this week, despite rising trade tensions. Caution persisted as Trump's unpredictable tariff plans continued to unsettle markets. The US administration also asked an appeals court to pause a ruling that could block new tariffs and urged countries to submit trade proposals by Wednesday. In Europe, attention turned to upcoming euro zone...
Japan stocks were lower after the close on Tuesday, as losses in the Paper & Pulp, Transport and Communication sectors led shares lower. At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 declined 0.05%. The best performers of the session on the Nikkei 225 were IHI Corp. (TYO:7013), which rose 6.07% or 875.00 points to trade at 15,280.00 at the close. Meanwhile, M3 Inc (TYO:2413) added 6.05% or 122.50 points to end at 2,146.00 and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (TYO:7012) was up 6.02% or 615.00 points to 10,825.00 in late trade. The worst performers of the session were Suzuki Motor Corp....
Asia-Pacific markets mostly rose Tuesday following gains on all three Wall Street benchmarks overnight, despite mounting global trade frictions. China pushed back against the U.S.′ accusations that it had violated a temporary trade agreement. Instead, the Asian powerhouse blamed Washington for failing to uphold the deal — a sign that negotiations between the world's two largest economies are deteriorating. Meanwhile, the European Union criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's intention to double steel tariffs to 50%, saying that such a move "undermines" its own negotiations with the U.S....
(Hong Kong) In the financial markets today, the Hang Seng Index opened with a gain of 123 points or 0.53%, reaching 23,281 points. The state-owned enterprise index also saw an increase of 47 points or 0.57%, hitting 8,407 points, while the technology index climbed by 27 points or 0.54% to 5,162 points. Tech stocks are performing well, with Tencent rising by 1.1% and crossing the 500 yuan threshold. Other major tech companies like Alibaba, Meituan, Xiaomi, JD.com, and Kuaishou saw stable movements. Financial stocks are holding steady, with HSBC Holdings, AIA Group, China Ping An, and Hong...