Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index opened up 75 points, or 0.28 percent, to 26,508 on Tuesday, marking its fourth consecutive day of gains. This increase was driven by the relatively stable financial sector ahead of the major issuers' earnings season. Investors appeared to be entering selectively, not euphorically, but enough to maintain upward momentum. Financial stocks were the main drivers early in the session. HSBC rose 1.1 percent ahead of its earnings release, AIA Group gained 0.9 percent, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing rose 0.4 percent, and China Ping An edged up 0.1 percent. The Hang...
Oil prices fell early on Friday ahead of a summit meeting between the United States and Russia, while China released weak economic data. West Texas Intermediate crude oil for September delivery was last seen down US$0.48 to US$63.48 per barrel, while October Brent oil was down US$0.39 to US$66.45. The drop comes as U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin ready to meet on Friday in Anchorage, Alaska, to discuss a potential ceasefire in Russia's war on Ukraine. A deal could see the United States easing sanctions on Russia's oil exports, adding more barrels to an...
Oil prices fell on Friday as traders awaited talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, which some expect could lead to an easing of the sanctions imposed on Moscow over the Ukraine war. Brent crude futures fell 50 cents, or 0.8%, to $66.34 a barrel by 0923 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures declined 57 cents, or 0.9%, to $63.39. At Friday's meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska, a ceasefire in the Ukraine is at the top of the agenda. Trump has said he believes Russia is prepared to end the war in Ukraine. However, he is also threatening...
The U.S. dollar slipped on Friday as investors remained cautious about the rate outlook ahead of import price data, after recent figures suggested inflation could accelerate in the coming months. The yen outperformed the euro and the pound after surprising strong Japanese growth data which showed export volumes held up well against new U.S. tariffs. All eyes will be on a meeting in Alaska later on Friday between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, though hopes of sealing a ceasefire agreement on Ukraine remain uncertain. U.S. import price figures will...
Oil prices fell on Friday as concerning economic data from the U.S. and China, the world's two largest oil users, increased worries about fuel demand while investors also await the summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Brent crude futures fell 39 cents, or 0.58%, to $66.45 a barrel by 0750 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures declined 42 cents, or 0.66%, to $63.54. For the week, WTI is set to drop 0.5% while Brent is set to decline 0.2%. Chinese government data released on Friday showed factory output growth slumped to an eight-month low...
Gold prices gained on Friday, helped by a pullback in the dollar, although bullion was headed for a weekly fall as hotter-than-expected U.S. inflation data dented expectations for a super-sized 50-basis-point (bps) Federal Reserve rate cut. Spot gold rose 0.2% to $3,341.90 per ounce as of 0653 GMT. Bullion has lost 1.5% for the week. U.S. gold futures for December delivery gained 0.1% to $3,387.60. "Gold is still grappling with the aftermath of the PPI jump, which raised questions over just how far the Fed may be inclined to reduce rates this year," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst...