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...
The Australian Dollar (AUD) remains steady on Thursday following two consecutive days of losses. The AUD/USD pair could see gains as the US Dollar (USD) faces pressure after the Federal Reserve's (Fed) Beige Book suggested weakening economic conditions. According to the Fed's April Beige Book, concerns over tariffs have worsened the economic outlook across several regions in the United States (US). Consumer spending presented a mixed picture, while the labor market showed signs of softening, with many districts reporting flat or slightly declining employment levels. Westpac anticipates...
Silver (XAG/USD) attracts some sellers after hitting a nearly three-week top near the $33.70 region during the Asian session on Thursday and erodes a part of the previous day's strong move up. The white metal currently trades around the $33.35-$33.30 area, down 0.75% for the day, though the technical setup supports prospects for the emergence of dip-buyers at lower levels. The overnight breakout through a short-term trading range held over the past week or so, along with the fact that oscillators on the daily chart have just started gaining positive traction, validates the near-term...
Oil prices inched higher in Asian trade on Thursday following steep losses in the prior session, as investors digested reports that OPEC+ plans to further ramp up production in June. The commodity was supported by signals of potential tariff negotiations between the U.S. and China.Brent Oil Futures expiring in June edged 0.3% higher to $66.33 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained 0.2% to $61.78 per barrel. Both contracts settled nearly 2% lower on Wednesday in anticipation of increased supply from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. OPEC+...
The dollar index slipped to around 99.6 on Thursday, easing after two consecutive sessions of gains, as investors took stock of President Donald Trump's shifting stance on Chinese tariffs. The Trump administration is reportedly considering lowering tariffs on Chinese imports pending talks with Beijing, while China signaled openness to trade talks on the condition that Washington refrains from further threats. However, optimism was tempered by comments from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who clarified that Trump has not proposed any unilateral tariff cuts and that formal negotiations...
Gold rose toward $3,360 per ounce on Thursday, following a two-day decline, as lingering uncertainty over the US-China trade war sustained demand for the safe-haven asset. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that steep tariffs between the US and China will need to be reduced before trade talks can advance, though he emphasized that President Trump will not unilaterally cut tariffs on Chinese goods. Meanwhile, Trump plans to exempt carmakers from certain tariffs after weeks of intense lobbying by industry executives, easing some concerns over trade tensions. Gold has now risen...