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...
The EUR/USD tanks and breaks below 1.08 after the March preliminary United States (US) Purchase Manager's Index (PMI) reading came in stronger on the Services sector than expected. Overall, the pair is expected to stay around 1.08 for now after United States (US) officials commented on Monday that the upcoming reciprocal tariffs will rather be targeted by sector and country, not at all simply broad-based as US President Donald Trump had originally announced. Meanwhile, on the economic data front, the preliminary Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for March is being released on Monday. In the...
The Pound Sterling (GBP) is trimming some of its earlier gains versus the US Dollar (USD) on Monday and begins the week on an upbeat mood after Flash PMIs in both sides of the Atlantic came mixed. At the time of writing, GBP/USD trades at 1.2933, up 0.16%. Sterling trims early strength but stays afloat above 1.29, traders digest PMIs and brace for UK CPI, US PCEThe market mood improved as traders seemed relieved that the United States (US) reciprocal tariffs will be targetted to certain countries. Data-wise, S&P Global revealed that manufacturing activity in the US deteriorated...
The US dollar index rose above the 104.3 mark, reaching its highest level since March 4, as investors assessed the latest PMI data and awaited further clarity on President Trump's trade policies ahead of the April 2 deadline for his reciprocal tariffs. The latest survey revealed that US business activity picked up in March, with a significant rebound in the service sector offsetting a renewed decline in manufacturing output. However, business expectations for the year ahead fell to their second-lowest level since October 2022, driven by concerns over demand, tariffs, and broader policy...
Oil prices climbed in choppy trade on Monday as investors weighed the impact of fresh U.S. sanctions on Iranian exports against talks to end the war in Ukraine, which could increase supply of Russian crude to global markets. Brent crude futures rose 36 cents, or 0.5%, to $72.52 a barrel by 1004 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 40 cents, or 0.6%, at $68.68. "Crude remains rangebound as traders continued to weigh the impact of new U.S. tariffs, the risk of an economic slowdown, as well as increased OPEC+ supply from next month and the prospect of stepped-up U.S. sanctions...
Gold's price (XAU/USD) stabilizes near $3,030 at the time of writing on Monday as traders assess fresh tariff headlines over the weekend. News emerging that the Trump administration will ease off on the broad scope of tariffs being imposed on April 2 brings sighs of relief in markets. Instead, United States (US) President Donald Trump is said to be looking for more specifically targeted tariffs on specific sectors per country or region. This helps ease the fear of broad reciprocal tariffs. The idea behind these tariffs is to get companies to reshore back to the US. However, a 25% tariff...