Hong Kong stocks were back in the red Friday as markets digested news of a softening U.S. job market and an unexpected decline in China's export figures. The Hang Seng Index decreased by around 244.07 points, or roughly 0.9%, to end at 26,241.83. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index fell around 88.41 points, or 0.9%, to 9,267.56. China's exports in October slipped 1.1% year on year in US dollar terms to $305.4 billion, missing a consensus estimate of a 2.9% increase, according to a Bloomberg survey, the South China Morning Post reported. The contraction could signal a worsening outlook...
USD/CHF remains subdued for the second successive session, trading around 0.7970 during the Asian hours on Monday. The pair struggled as the Swiss Franc (CHF) receives support from increased safe-haven demand amid ongoing global trade uncertainties, driven uncertain tariff concerns. Swiss Producer and Import Prices data for June will be eyed later in the day. Additionally, the CHF draws support from wavering expectations of further Swiss National Bank (SNB) policy easing amid a renewed inflation risk. The SNB officials are expected to keep the interest rate steady at 0% in September, with...
The Silver price ( XAG/USD) attracts some buyers to around $38.85, the highest since 2011 during the Asian trading hours on Monday. The white metal edges higher as US President Donald Trump's shock trade tariff on copper spurred a rush to import silver into the world's largest economy. Last week, Trump said that the 50% tariff on copper imports will take effect on August 1. The decision was made after Trump received a national security assessment. It's worth noting that Silver and copper are both used in industrial applications, especially in electronics and clean energy. If copper becomes...
Oil prices nudged higher on Monday, adding to gains of more than 2% from Friday, as investors eyed further U.S. sanctions on Russia that may affect global supplies, but a ramp-up in Saudi output and ongoing tariff uncertainty limited gains. Brent crude futures rose 15 cents to $70.51 a barrel by 0400 GMT, extending a 2.51% gain on Friday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed to $68.59, up 14 cents, after settling 2.82% higher in the previous session. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he will send Patriot air defence missiles to Ukraine. He is due to make a...
The US dollar index held firm around 97.8 on Monday, maintaining its recent gains as investors assessed the latest developments in global trade. President Trump announced a 30% tariff on imports from the EU and Mexico, set to take effect on August 1, further escalating trade tensions. In response, EU and Mexican officials signaled their willingness to continue negotiations with Washington this month in hopes of securing a lower rate. Meanwhile, the EU is reportedly intensifying talks with other countries hit by US tariffs, including Canada and Japan, as it considers possible coordinated...
Gold prices rose to around $3,360 per ounce on Monday, marking a fourth consecutive session of gains, as President Donald Trump's announcement of new tariffs drove investors toward the safety of bullion. In letters to the EU and Mexico, Trump set a 30% tariff for both and referred to their respective trade deficits with the US as a "major threat" to national security. This follows a broader set of tariff hikes unveiled last week, targeting more than 20 countries—including Japan, South Korea, Canada, and Brazil—as well as a 50% duty on copper imports. The new measures are set to take effect...