The Hang Seng fell 249 points or 1.0% to close at 25,270 on Friday, slipping for the second session as all sectors dipped. Weak July data in China hit investor sentiment as industrial output grew the least in eight months, retail sales notched a six-month low, and the jobless rate rose to a four-month high of 5.2%. The Chinese statistics agency also warned of persistent risks from global headwinds and weather disruptions. Still, the index rose 1.7% for the week, its second straight gain, helped by Wall Street record highs and optimism over a possible Fed rate cut in September, as well as a...
Gold extended its recent gains above $3,350 per ounce on Friday, on track for its third weekly advance, as skepticism over a US-China trade deal continued to support the metal's safety appeal. On Thursday, President Trump stated that trade talks with China are in progress, countering Chinese claims that no discussions have taken place to ease the ongoing dispute. Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Bessent said the steep tariffs between the two countries must be reduced before negotiations can move forward, but emphasized that Trump would not unilaterally lower tariffs on Chinese imports....
The US dollar (USD) weakened on Thursday (4/24) as a mix of mixed economic data, dovish Federal Reserve (Fed) signals, and unclear US-China tariff messages rattled market sentiment. After testing highs near 100.00 earlier in the day, the US Dollar Index (DXY) reversed course and was last seen hovering around 99.41, down 0.37%. Investors recalibrated expectations after US President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent rejected claims of unilateral tariff cuts on Chinese goods. While Trump hinted at potential tariff relief if talks resume, Chinese officials reiterated that no...
Oil prices edged up on Thursday as investors weighed a weaker U.S. dollar, potential OPEC+ production increases, mixed economic news, conflicting U.S. tariff signals and news from the Russia-Ukraine war. Brent crude futures rose 43 cents, or 0.7%, to settle at $66.55 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 52 cents, or 0.8%, to settle at $62.79. In the U.S., the number of people filing for unemployment benefits rose slightly last week, indicating a resilient labor market despite economic turbulence caused by tariffs on imported goods. Companies raised prices and cut...
Gold prices rose on Thursday after falling more than 3% in the previous session, helped by a weaker dollar and bargain hunting, while market attention remained focused on the latest news on U.S.-China trade relations. Spot gold was up 1.4% at $3,333.90 an ounce, as of 1:46 p.m. EDT (1746 GMT). Bullion hit a record high of $3,500.05 on Tuesday on concerns about the U.S. economy, but prices fell on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump walked back his threat to fire the Federal Reserve chief and appeared to soften his stance on China. U.S. gold futures settled 1.7% higher at $3,348.60....
Gold prices rose Thursday, on renewed demand from investors in the wake of the recent selloff. At 10:25 ET (14:25 GMT), Spot gold rose 0.9% to $3,317.19 an ounce, while gold futures expiring in June rose 1.1% to $3,329.65/oz. Gold had fallen from record highs this week after U.S. President Donald Trump raised the prospect of eventually reducing steep trade duties on China. But a lack of clarity on Trump's comments, coupled with less optimistic statements from other officials, made gold's fall short-lived. Traders remained cautious towards the dollar and Treasuries, keeping gold and the...