European shares closed flat on Wednesday, surrendering early session gains, as healthcare stocks felt the pinch from U.S. President Donald Trump's latest threat to impose higher tariffs on pharmaceutical imports. The pan-European STOXX 600 index closed 0.06% lower, breaking its two-day winning streak despite starting the session on a positive note. Healthcare stocks bore the brunt of the selling pressure. The sector index plunged 2.8% to its lowest level in more than three months after Trump unveiled a graduated tariff plan targeting pharmaceutical imports that could see levies on the...
Stocks in the US declined on Tuesday, extending losses from the previous session, with the S&P 500 falling 0.8%, the Nasdaq sinking 1% and the Dow Jones falling about 260 points. Investor sentiment remained subdued amid persistent tariff uncertainty and growing concerns over the impact of trade tensions on corporate earnings. President Trump is scheduled to meet Canadian Prime Minister Carney on Tuesday, while negotiations between the US and several countries continue, though no formal agreements have been reached. Meanwhile, US imports in March soared again in anticipation of new...
The Hang Seng advanced 158 points or 0.7% to end at a one-month peak of 22,663 on Tuesday, marking its fourth straight gain amid signs of easing trade tensions. President Trump said Sunday that the U.S. was engaging with several countries, including China, on trade deals. Locally, Hong Kong's economy grew 3.1% yoy in Q1 2025—the strongest pace in five quarters—driven by strong tourism and robust exports ahead of planned U.S. tariff hikes. A rally in the yuan to a 1-1/2-month high and intervention by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority to support the local dollar also lifted...
European stocks edged higher on Tuesday, with both the STOXX 50 and the STOXX 600 adding 0.1%, as investors focused on corporate earnings while awaiting key catalysts, including the Fed's monetary policy decision due tomorrow. Market participants also kept a close watch on trade tensions, particularly negotiations involving the US and several Asian countries. On the earnings front, Continental shares soared about 4% after the company's sales hit a 4-year high. Also, Vestas gained about 6% after the Danish company swung to profit in Q1 and Hugo Boss jumped almost 7% after a revenue...
Hong Kong shares rose 142 points, or 0.6%, to 22,645 in early trade on Tuesday, marking a fourth straight session of gains as markets reopened after a holiday. Broad sector gains—particularly in financials, property and consumer staples—pushed the index to a one-month high. Sentiment was further boosted by flash data showing the city's economy expanded 3.1% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, the strongest pace in five quarters, driven by robust tourism and exports ahead of U.S. President Trump's planned tariff hikes. In China, stock markets also resumed activity amid signs Beijing is...
US stocks closed lower Monday, unable to shake losses as investors weighed strong economic data against trade tensions and the upcoming Fed meeting. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq slipped 0.6% and 0.7% respectively, with the former snapping nine-day win streaks, while the Dow lost 98 points. Markets reacted to President Trump threatened new tariffs, including a 100% levy on foreign films, but sentiment improved following stronger-than-expected ISM services data. Still, uncertainty persisted after Trump said he has no plans to speak with China's President Xi, keeping investors cautious. Energy...