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...
The dollar made a steady start on Monday as investors prepared for a week packed with economic data that may give a first glimpse of whether U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war is hitting home. At 143.57 yen and $1.1360 per euro the greenback has, for now, found a footing, while staying on course for its largest monthly fall in nearly 2-1/2 years as Trump has rattled confidence in the dependability of U.S. assets [MKTS/GLOB] It is down more than 4% on both the euro and the yen through April, though bounced at the end of last week on an apparent conciliatory shift in the tone of...
Brent crude oil futures rose to around $66.9 per barrel on Monday, amid hopes for easing in the U.S.-China trade tensions. While it remains uncertain whether formal trade negotiations between the two countries have begun, President Donald Trump last week softened his rhetoric towards China, and Beijing has exempted some U.S. imports from its 125% tariffs. However, overall gains may be capped as progress in U.S.-Iran nuclear talks has raised concerns about the potential return of Iranian crude to the market. Additionally, the prospect of OPEC+ ramping up production for a second straight month...
The US dollar (USD) edged higher on Friday (4/25) as investors digested conflicting messages from the United States and China regarding potential tariff negotiations. While President Donald Trump hinted that dialogue was underway, Beijing has flatly denied that any talks are currently taking place. The differences injected volatility into the market, although the greenback maintained its lead, with the US Dollar Index (DXY) up around 0.37% near the 99.65 zone at the time of writing. Despite entering a data-light session ahead of the May 7 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, market...
Gold prices fell 2% on Friday and were on track for a weekly decline as the dollar strengthened and signs of easing U.S.-China trade tensions after a report that Beijing has exempted some U.S. goods from its tariffs weighed on bullion. Spot gold fell 1.7% to $3,292.99 an ounce by 1:39 a.m. EDT (1739 GMT), after dropping as much as 2% earlier in the session. Bullion was down 1.2% for the week. U.S. gold futures settled 1.5% lower at $3,298.40. "The apparent reduction in tariffs has had a negative impact on gold prices ... But so far we haven't seen any substantial liquidation," said TD...
Oil prices edged up on Friday but fell for the week, pressured by market expectations of a supply glut and uncertainty surrounding tariff talks between the U.S. and China. Brent crude settled 32 cents higher at $66.87 a barrel, bringing losses to 1.6% for the week. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 23 cents to $63.02 a barrel, marking a weekly decline of 2.6%. China exempted some U.S. imports from its high tariffs in a sign on Friday that the trade war between the world's top two economies may be easing, although Beijing quickly dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump's assertion that...