Hong Kong stocks fell 197 points, or 0.8%, to 26,282 in Friday's morning session, retreating after their biggest one-day gain since mid-August amid caution ahead of China's October trade data. Exports are expected to slow sharply after months of front-loading to avoid U.S. tariffs, while imports likely stay weak amid fragile consumer sentiment. Attention also turned to October Chinese CPI and PPI data due over the weekend, with deflation risks still a concern. On Wall Street, stocks declined overnight as renewed tech weakness and worries over the prolonged U.S. government shutdown hit...
Oil steadied after a modest decline on Tuesday as expectations of a supply glut and a trade war between the world's two largest economies weighed on the demand outlook. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were trading above $61 a barrel, with Brent crude closing near $65 in the previous session. The International Energy Agency on Tuesday cut its forecast for global oil consumption this year and next as trade tensions escalated. The supply build is likely to be more than enough to meet consumption, it said in a monthly report. Crude prices remain near four-year lows, after a sharp drop...
Gold prices ended Tuesday's session on a higher note as traders bought the precious metal amid uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's tariff plans, which have kept market participants on edge. XAU/USD was trading at $3,240 per troy ounce, up more than 6.50%. The precious metal rose sharply towards the end of the New York session on Tuesday as US Treasury yields continued to fall for a second straight day. Concerns that US President Trump will start imposing tariffs on pharmaceuticals soured the market mood. Keeping the trade war in the air, China ordered its domestic airlines to halt...
The Australian Dollar (AUD/USD) gave up its earlier strength on Tuesday, falling from session highs near 0.6340 to trade closer to the 0.6280 area during North American hours. The reversal came as the US Dollar Index (DXY) attempted a modest bounce off its three-year low near the 99.00 mark. This shift in tone followed remarks from US officials suggesting reduced recession risks and progress on trade negotiations with Europe, though concerns remain over the unresolved US-China tariff fight.USD sentiment fluctuates on mixed economic signalsKevin Hassett from the US National Economic Council...
Oil prices were little changed on Tuesday as investors digested the latest headlines on U.S. President Donald Trump's on-again, off-again tariffs and tried to figure how much the U.S.-China trade war could reduce global economic growth and oil demand. Brent crude futures fell 21 cents, or 0.3%, to settle at $64.67 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 20 cents, or 0.3%, to settle at $61.33. Vacillating U.S. trade policies have created uncertainty for global oil markets and prompted the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to lower its demand outlook...
Sterling rallies despite unchanged UK unemployment at 4.4% as strong wage growth complicates BoE's easing path.The US Dollar Index drops over 5% in three weeks as safe-haven demand fades and tariff risks grow.UK inflation data and Powell's speech are in focus; the UK remains exempt from US tariffs for now.The Pound Sterling (GBP) rose and refreshed six-month highs against the US Dollar (USD) on Tuesday as the financial markets' narrative remains linked to the US imposing tariffs. Cable shrugged off soft United Kingdom (UK) jobs data; hence, GBP/USD rallied 0.36% and is trading at...