Hong Kong

Asian shares reached a record high on Tuesday, as investors hoped that the U.S. earnings of large-cap companies would be positive. However, uncertainty over President Donald Trump's tariff moves against South Korea has boosted gold and Silver. Trump said late Monday that he will increase tariffs to 25% on imports of goods from Asia's 4th largest economy. The Nasdaq Futures rose 0.5% as investors prepared for the slew earnings that will be released by Microsoft, Apple, and Tesla on Wednesday. Even South Korea's KOSPI surged by over 2% and reached a new high. The EURO STOXX futures are pointing to...

U.S. Stock Futures fell on Monday, after President Donald Trump threatened to slap additional tariffs on 8 European nations until Greenland was allowed by the U.S. The?dollar dropped against the safe haven currencies of the Swiss franc and yen. Concerns about the impact of a full-blown trade war between Europe and the U.S. on global growth and demand led to a gold and silver price jump. The holiday on the U.S. equity markets and bond market led to thin trading, which likely contributed to a drop of 0.7% in S&P futures and 1.0% in Nasdaq. EUROSTOXX Futures and DAX Futures...

On Thursday, oil prices fell from their multi-month highs and gold, a safe-haven asset, eased from its record high after U.S. president Donald Trump 'calmed the market's anxiety over a possible U.S. war against Iran. Investors have been looking for bargains elsewhere in the market as they move away from high-flying names in chip and artificial intelligence. Currency markets paused to catch their breath after the yen fell overnight against the U.S. Dollar to its lowest level since July 2024. The yen then rebounded sharply amid warnings about possible Japanese intervention. Japanese bond yields have eased from record highs following...

Asian stocks rose Wednesday, boosted by Japanese shares. Investors?prepared for a quick election in Japan, which could lead to fiscal stimulus. Worries about central bank independence, and 'benign U.S. data on inflation, whipsawed currencies. Gold prices reached a new record high as geopolitical tensions erupted across the globe. Oil prices also rose after U.S. president Donald Trump encouraged Iranians to continue protesting and said that help was on its way. Iran accused Trump, in turn, of inciting violence and encouraging political instability. Early Asian hours saw the Japanese yen at its lowest level since July 20,24, at 159.415 to the...

Global stocks edged up on Friday, ahead of an important U.S. report. Investors also awaited the Supreme Court's ruling on President Donald Trump’s global tariffs which shocked markets last year. Geopolitical tensions around the world have boosted oil and defence stocks. Traders will continue to be concerned about developments in Venezuela, Iran, and Greenland. The U.S. Supreme Court's possible ruling on tariffs will dominate Friday's news. The reduction of tariffs may impact U.S. revenue, driving Treasury yields up and causing new waves in volatility. Kyle Rodda is a senior financial markets analyst with Capital.com. He said that the Supreme Court's...

The European defence stocks rose to a "record high" on Thursday as oil prices and dollar gained ground. Geopolitical tensions rumbled from Venezuela to Greenland, keeping traders guessing. seizure Two Venezuelan-linked oil tanks in the Atlantic were reported alongside the news that U.S. Secretary Marco Rubio will?attend Meet?Denmark leaders Next week we will be discussing Greenland, and there are also some mixed economic statistics. STOXX, Europe's aerospace and defence stock index, has risen nearly 2% in the first hour of a fifth consecutive day of gains. They have already risen 13% so far this year and over 260% since Russia...

Oil prices remained stable?on Thursday, after a recent decline. Stocks fell as investors assessed the impact of escalating geopolitical tensions. labour market data. Top U.S. officials stated on Wednesday that the country must control Venezuela's oil sales and revenue indefinitely in order to stabilize the economy of the latter, rebuild its oil industry, and ensure that it acts in America’s interest. As part of Donald Trump's aggressive campaign to control oil flows in America, the U.S. also seized on the same day two Venezuelan-linked oil tanks in the Atlantic Ocean, including one that was sailing under the Russian flag. The...

Crude futures fell?and stocks in Asia declined as markets struggled to deal with the ramifications and fate of Venezuela's petroleum reserves. The oil prices continued to fall after U.S. president Donald Trump announced that Venezuela would "turn over" up to 50 million barrels to be sold at market price, following the capture and toppling of the nation's leaders. Japanese shares fell sharply while gold and industrials metals were near record highs. Geopolitical tensions in South America and China dominated the yen rally, while investors looked for clues on the timing of possible interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. Michael...

Wall Street opened higher, while the yen fell to near-all-time lows versus the euro. Higher interest rates put pressure on Japanese government bonds. S&P 500 futures rose 0.4%. Nasdaq futures gained 0.1%. MSCI's broadest world share index added 0.2%. Due to the fact that the?U.S. The?U.S. Investors are primarily focused on closing the year before January's inflation and labour market releases," he said. Even though it was a holiday-shortened weekend for most of the world, momentum funds continued to flow to equities and precious metals ahead of delayed data which is expected to show that the U.S. economic growth has...

Asian shares rose broadly on Monday, tracking Wall Street's tech-driven gains. Meanwhile, the yen fell to new lows against the Euro and Swiss Franc due to higher interest rates. Even though it was a holiday-shortened weekend for most of the world, momentum funds continued to flow to commodities, precious metals, and equities ahead of delayed data which is expected to show that the U.S. economic growth has been strong in the third quarter. Median estimates predict an annualised increase of 3.2%. This is due to a sharp drop in imports following a surge earlier in the year before the introduction...

Investors digested central bank decisions that highlighted divergent monetary policies around the world. Global shares rose Thursday, after?benign U.S. data on inflation. U.S. consumer prices rose less than expected during the year ending November. This initially hurt the dollar, but lifted equities on the hope of U.S. interest rate cuts in 2019. The pound rose after the Bank of England reduced interest rates, but indicated that further easing was unlikely. As expected, the European Central Bank left euro zone rates unchanged and took a more optimistic tone about the economy. Bank of Japan expected to raise rates on Friday. However,...

Asian stocks fell on Tuesday while the dollar drifted to two-month lows. Investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of the release of several U.S. economic data including the jobs report that could 'help gauge the direction of Federal Reserve policy for next year. Risk assets were under pressure due to the defensive mood, including bitcoin. Bitcoin, which?hit an all-time low of two weeks in the previous session, was down by 0.3%, at $86,017.67. Nasdaq Futures dropped 0.8%, and European Futures declined 0.5%. Hang Seng's technology index fell 2.7%. The MSCI broadest Asia-Pacific share index outside Japan fell by 1.45%, its...

Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department data released on Tuesday showed that China's net imports of gold via Hong Kong fell by 24% in December compared to November. Why is it important? China's gold purchasing can have a significant impact on global gold markets. Hong Kong's data might not be a complete view of Chinese gold purchases as it is also imported through Shanghai and Beijing. By the Numbers The net imports from Hong Kong to China in December were 12.205 metric tons, down from 16.16 tons for November. China's total imports of gold via Hong Kong fell 7.3% to...

The companies announced that Zijin Gold would buy Canada's Allied Gold at a price of?about C$5.5billion ($4.02billion) in cash. This is as the Chinese miner accelerated its global expansion amid record-high yellow metal prices. Gold prices have risen, boosting margins and cash flow for miners. This has led to consolidation as large producers look to boost production through acquisitions instead of developing new mines. Canada and China have also agreed to a deal to improve their relationship after reaching a preliminary agreement this month to reduce tariffs on canola and electric vehicles, while vowing to lower trade barriers and enhance...

Investors rushed into safe-haven assets amid the geopolitical turmoil, and also on expectations of U.S. rate cuts. Metal prices rose 147% in 2017 due to a combination of?strong demand for investment, challenges with scaling up the refining process, and a persistent shortage on the market. How does silver trade work? Over the Counter London is the largest marketplace for silver and gold, and it's where brokers and banks handle all of the buy and sell orders. The trading is done over the counter between financial institutions. An investor must be in a relationship to gain access to this market. Bars...

The gold demand in India was muted as prices hit record highs, reducing the appeal of retail purchases. In China, bullion trades at a premium as demand remains steady before the Lunar New Year. Indian dealers offer a discount This week, official domestic prices will be up to $12 an ounce, including 6% import and 3% sales taxes, compared to the previous week's up to $6. On Friday, domestic gold prices were trading at around 142.800 rupees per 10 grams, which is not far off the record high reached earlier this week of 143.590 rupees. Chirag Thakkar is the CEO...

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group is China's largest jewellery retailer with thousands of shops across mainland China and Hong Kong. The group has begun to look further afield in search of new growth. It started?in Southeast Asia, with a brand-new store in Thailand. The company opened its flagship store at Bangkok's Siam Paragon, a luxury shopping and lifestyle center in Bangkok. This move is part a 'wave' of Chinese and Hong Kong brands moving abroad to offset slowing domestic demand and rising market saturation in the world’s second-largest economic powerhouse. Sonia Cheng said that the company's expansion abroad "sees strong...

AustralianSuper, BlueScope Steel's largest shareholder, said that a $9 billion takeover bid from SGH & Steel Dynamics in the U.S. undervalued the company and it supported its decision to reject this offer. After announcing its increase from 12.5% on Thursday, the pension fund now holds 13.52% in BlueScope. BlueScope, which rejected the SGH Steel Dynamics offer of?A$30 a share on Wednesday, said that it was "significantly undervalued" and accused the acquirers for trying to purchase BlueScope 'on the cheap. AustralianSuper's spokesperson stated that "we?support the BlueScope Board's decision to?reject?the offer" and to'remain focused' on executing the strategy of the company...

BlueScope Steel’s largest investor, AustralianSuper said on Friday that it supported the Australian company's decision to reject a $9 billion offer from U.S.-based Steel Dynamics and?SGH?. After announcing its increase in stake on Thursday, the pension fund now holds 13.52 % of BlueScope. BlueScope rejected the $A30 offer from?SGH & Steel Dynamics on Wednesday, saying that it was "very significantly undervalued". The company also accused the acquirers of trying to buy BlueScope 'on the cheap. AustralianSuper's spokesperson stated that "we support the BlueScope Board's decision to reject the offer and remain focused on executing the company's strategy, without distraction." The...

BlueScope Steel's investors are hoping for a A$13.2 Billion ($8.92 Billion) buyout offer from SGH and U.S. based Steel Dynamics to gain their support to sell Australia’s largest steelmaker. BlueScope closed Wednesday with a 1.12% increase in its shares at A$29.87. This is a fractional amount below the A$30 offer that was made public on Monday. The BlueScope board has yet to deliver an official recommendation on the all-cash bid, which was the fourth approach from Steel Dynamics put to the Melbourne-headquartered firm since late 2024. SGH, owned by Australian billionaire Kerry Stokes would purchase BlueScope, and then sell the...

Hong Kong's anti graft agency announced on Friday that 21 people were arrested on suspicion of corruption relating to renovations at two residential estates. Hong Kong has intensified a 'crackdown on corruption related to building renovations after a fire in November which destroyed seven high-rise buildings and killed over 160 people. John Lee, Hong Kong's leader, set up an independent panel last month to investigate the fire, the construction industry and determine if there was any bid-rigging. In a press release, the Independent Commission Against Corruption said it had conducted enforcement operations against a triad corruption syndicate involved in building...

Hong Kong's Census and Statistics Department reported on Monday that China's net imports of gold via Hong Kong rose 101.5% in November compared to October. Why it's important China is the world's largest gold consumer. Its buying activities can have a significant impact on?global?gold markets. Hong Kong's data might not be a complete view of Chinese gold purchases as it is also imported through Shanghai and Beijing. By the Numbers The net imports from Hong Kong into China in November were 16.16 metric tonnes, up from 8.02 tons for October. China's total gold imports via Hong Kong in November increased...

Silver rose above $80 per ounce on Monday for the first-time, fueled by a strong industrial and investment market, persistent shortages of supply, its recent designation as "a U.S. Critical Mineral" and a wave momentum-driven purchases. Prices fell 4.2% at 0830 GMT, after a record high of $83.62 was reached earlier in the day. Investors booked profits and a easing of geopolitical tensions reduced demand for safe havens. Spot silver is up more than 160% in the last year, outpacing gold’s rise of over 70%. How does silver trade work? Over the Counter London is the largest marketplace for physical...

This week, gold discounts in India reached their highest level in over six months as a relentless price rise curbed retail purchases. Meanwhile,?discounts? in China shrank sharply after reaching five-year highs last week. A jeweller in Kolkata, eastern India said: "People are in festive moods and are travelling so they're not interested in buying at these record high prices." On Friday, domestic gold prices reached a new record of 139.286 rupees (1,550.34 dollars) per 10 grams, after a rise in spot gold rates internationally. Spot gold reached a new high of $4.530.60 an ounce due to speculative buying and momentum-driven...