The Hang Seng Index reversed its downward trend in Hong Kong on Thursday (February 12th), weakening by around 0.9% to around 27,000 after a strong session earlier. This decline halted the momentum of the short term rally, as investors began to reduce risk in large cap stocks. Among the index's contributors, Tencent was a major drag, with its shares falling by around 2.3%, putting pressure on the technology sector, which has recently been a driving force behind market gains. Weakness in large cap companies like this typically quickly impacts sentiment due to their significant weighting in...
The annual inflation rate in the US rose to 3% in September 2025, the highest since January, from 2.9% in August and below forecasts of 3.1%. The energy index increased 2.8% and the food index increased 3.1%. Meanwhile, core inflation actually slowed to 3% from 3.1%, with markets expecting it to stay at 3.1%. Compared to the previous month, the CPI increased 0.3%, below 0.4% in August and forecasts of 0.4%. The index for gasoline rose 4.1% and was the largest factor in the all items monthly increase Source: Trading Economi
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that all trade negotiations with Canada have been terminated, accusing Ottawa of using a "fraudulent" advertisement involving late President Ronald Reagan. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump alleged that the Ronald Reagan Foundation had announced Canada used a fake ad featuring Reagan criticizing tariffs. Trump claimed the ad, which he said "was for" $75 million, was created to "interfere with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, and other courts." "Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA...
President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia will never bow to pressure from the United States or any other country, warning that the response to any attack deep into Russian territory would be extremely serious and overwhelming. US sanctions are an "unfriendly" measure and "will have certain consequences, but they will not significantly affect our economic well-being," Putin said. He said the Russian energy sector is confident. "This is, of course, an attempt to pressure Russia," Putin said. "But no self-respecting country and no self-respecting people will make decisions under...
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng is set to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer from Friday, as the world's two largest economies try to ease an unexpected flare-up in tension ahead of a key leaders' summit. The commerce ministry said He, China's top economic official, will visit Malaysia from October 24 to 27 for a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations it is hosting. Earlier, the top U.S. trade officials said they would also head to Malaysia to discuss Beijing's curbs on exports of rare earths with Chinese officials. Tension has...
The Trump administration announced on Wednesday new sanctions targeting Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, as part of efforts to pressure Moscow to end the war in Ukraine, which began with Russia's 2022 invasion. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated, "Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire," adding that the companies "fund the Kremlin's war machine." The sanctions also extend to dozens of their subsidiaries. Bessent emphasized that Treasury is ready to take further action to support President Trump's push to end the conflict and urged...