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...
US President Donald Trump said he would reduce the 50-day deadline he gave Russian leader Vladimir Putin to reach a ceasefire with Ukraine, saying he was disappointed with his counterpart over the ongoing war. "I'm disappointed with President Putin, very disappointed with him. So, we'll have to see, and I'll reduce the 50 days I gave him to a shorter time," Trump told reporters in Scotland on Monday as he welcomed British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for a meeting. Trump earlier this month issued a 50-day deadline and threatened severe economic sanctions against Russia if it did not end...
European governments and companies reacted with a mix of relief and concern on Monday (July 28th) to the framework trade agreement reached with US President Donald Trump. They acknowledged what they considered an unbalanced deal, but managed to avoid a deeper trade war. The agreement announced Sunday between the two countries, which account for nearly a third of global trade, will see the US impose 15% import tariffs on most EU goods – half the threatened tariffs, but much higher than Europe had hoped. However, many specific details of the deal remain unknown. "While awaiting the full...
The leaders of Cambodia and Thailand met in Malaysia on Monday (July 28) to try to reach a ceasefire agreement on the fifth day of their fierce border conflict, amid international efforts to halt the fighting. The Southeast Asian neighbors, engaged in their deadliest conflict in more than a decade, accused each other of starting the fighting last week, before escalating it with heavy artillery bombardment and Thai airstrikes along their 817-km (508-mile) land border. Photos from the Thai and Malaysian governments showed the Chinese and U.S. ambassadors to Malaysia attending Monday's...
The United States and European Union have reached a landmark trade agreement that includes a 15% tariff on EU goods entering the U.S., President Donald Trump announced Sunday while in Scotland. The broad-strokes deal encompasses significant EU purchases of U.S. energy and military gear, along with substantial investments in the American economy. According to Trump, the European Union has committed to purchasing $750 billion worth of energy from the United States. He also stated that the EU has agreed to make $600 billion in investments in the U.S. "They are agreeing to open up their...
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she will travel to Scotland this weekend to meet with US President Donald Trump, as both sides aim to reach a trade deal before the August 1 deadline when 30% tariffs on the bloc's exports are due to take effect. After months of negotiations and back-and-forth diplomacy between Brussels and Washington, D.C., the two sides have zeroed in on a deal last week that will see the EU face 15% tariffs on most of its trade. Limited exceptions are expected to apply to aviation, some medical devices and generic drugs, some alcoholic beverages,...