The Hong Kong stock market opened on a positive note today (22 July), with the Hang Seng Index rising by 30 points, or 0.12%, to 25,024 points. The China Enterprises Index gained 11 points, or 0.13%, to 9,051 points, while the Technology Index increased by 4 points, or 0.08%, to 5,589 points. Among financial stocks, HSBC Holdings rose by 0.81% to HK$99.25, Ping An Insurance recorded a slight increase of 0.09%, and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing edged up by 0.14%. However, AIA Group saw a decline of 0.58%. Major tech stocks showed mixed performances. Xiaomi Group advanced by 0.26%,...
European stocks closed firmly lower on Monday, extending the pullback from the last session as markets assessed the latest economic data ahead of monetary policy decisions from the Fed, BoE, and BoJ. The STOXX 50 dropped 0.4% to 4,948, while the STOXX 600 dropped 0.1% to 516. Flash PMIs for the Eurozone showed that private sector activity continued to contract in December, aligning with concerns of muted growth for next year. Also, Moody's downgraded France's credit rating to Aa3 from Aa2 over the weekend, citing concerns about weakened public finances amid ongoing political instability. In...
US stocks opened the week mostly higher, with the S&P 500 up 0.2%, the Nasdaq up 0.5%, and the Dow Jones holding near the flatline. Investors are focused on the Fed's policy decision, with another 25bps rate cut widely anticipated. The market will also be watching the latest economic projections, particularly the prospect of a rate cut in 2025. Several key economic indicators are also due this week, including the S&P Global PMI, retail sales, and PCE report. On the corporate side, Broadcom shares rose 5.5%, extending Friday's nearly 24% surge that pushed the chipmaker's market...
US stock index futures rose as investors anticipated another interest rate cut at the Federal Reserve's final meeting of the year and ahead of a busy week of economic data. Contracts on the S&P 500 Index rose 0.2% as of 5:24 a.m. in New York, while futures on the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 rose 0.3% MicroStrategy Inc., Palantir Technologies and Axon Enterprise advanced in premarket trading after the announcement that the stocks would be added to the Nasdaq 100 in the index's annual restructuring. Bitcoin rose to a record high on President-elect Donald Trump's support for digital assets and...
The Hang Seng fell 176 points or 0.9% to end at 19,795 on Monday(16/12), ending lower for the second session to hit its lowest level since Dec.6. An unexpected slowdown in China's retail trade burdened sentiment, highlighting the ongoing struggles of the economy. Meanwhile, China's statistics agency said domestic demand remains weak amid challenging global conditions. All sectors dipped, dragged by tech, property, and consumers. Still, the slump was capped by a modest rise in US futures, with markets awaiting the Fed's interest rate decision this week. The central bank is expected to...
European stocks started the week on a cautious note, with the STOXX 50 slipping 0.1% and the STOXX 600 hovering near the flatline, as traders brace for a week of key central bank decisions from the Fed, BoE, and BoJ. Adding to concerns were signs of economic weakness in the Euro Area. Flash PMIs from France revealed the country's private sector contracted for a fourth consecutive month, with a sharp deepening in the manufacturing downturn. Over the weekend, Moody's unexpectedly downgraded France's credit rating to Aa3 from Aa2, citing concerns over weakened public finances due to ongoing...