The Hang Seng Index reversed its downward trend in Hong Kong on Thursday (February 12th), weakening by around 0.9% to around 27,000 after a strong session earlier. This decline halted the momentum of the short term rally, as investors began to reduce risk in large cap stocks. Among the index's contributors, Tencent was a major drag, with its shares falling by around 2.3%, putting pressure on the technology sector, which has recently been a driving force behind market gains. Weakness in large cap companies like this typically quickly impacts sentiment due to their significant weighting in...
Oil prices fell to a four-year low on Wednesday in its worst five-day losing streak in three years, while several commodities, including base metals, tumbled as the trade war between China and the U.S. is set to intensify. Stocks in Asia extended a slide on Wall Street as U.S. President Donald Trump looked set to press ahead with whopping 104% duties on Chinese goods as global recession fears gripped financial markets. "Crude oil extended losses amid signs of escalation in the trade war," ANZ said in a note. "Copper has lost nearly 10% since Trump announced his reciprocal tariffs on major...
The Japanese Yen (JPY) retains its bullish bias for the second straight day against a broadly weaker US Dollar (USD) and drags the USD/JPY pair back closer to the 145.00 psychological mark during the Asian session on Wednesday. Investors continue to take refuge in traditional safe-haven assets, including the JPY, amid concerns about a tariffs-driven global recession. Adding to this reports that US President Donald Trump has agreed to meet Japanese officials to initiate trade discussions fuel optimism about a possible US-Japan trade deal, which further underpins the JPY. Meanwhile, investors...
Gold price (XAU/USD) regains positive traction following the previous day's failed attempt to surpass the $3,022-3,023 hurdle and retakes the $3,000 psychological mark during the Asian session on Wednesday. Persistent worries about escalating trade tensions and fears of a recession continue to prompt investors to take refuge in the traditional safe-haven bullion. Apart from this, bets for multiple rate cuts by the Federal Reserve (Fed) this year and some follow-through US Dollar (USD) selling for the second straight day turn out to be key factors that underpin the non-yielding yellow...
The Silver price (XAG/USD) recovers some lost ground to around $29.85 during the Asian trading hours on Wednesday. Analysts believe the recent correction could be a setup for a strong rebound amid rising trade tensions and recession fears. Traders brace for the FOMC Minutes, which are due later on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump said late Tuesday that he wasn't considering a pause on his plan to impose sweeping additional tariffs on dozens of countries despite contact from trade partners seeking to avoid the levies. However, he hinted that he could be open to some...
The euro gained on Tuesday following a report that German political parties have agreed to form a coalition, while the U.S. dollar weakened against major currencies and China's offshore yuan hit a record low. Germany's conservatives under chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz reached a deal on Tuesday with the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) to form a government, NTV reported. However, two people familiar with the matter denied to Reuters that a deal had been reached. Investors have been focused on the trade dispute sparked by President Donald Trump's massive tariffs that have roiled...