Tag: Asia

Markets extend steep losses as China virus death toll rises

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Asian markets tumbled again Tuesday, extending a global sell-off as the toll from a rapidly spreading Chinese virus spiked to more than 100 dead and thousands infected, with investors fretting over the impact on an already fragile world economy. Traders have been running for the hills as the coronavirus is reported in more countries, with oil also tanking on expectations that demand in China, the world’s top consumer of the […]

Asian markets rise as China, US finally put pen to paper on deal

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Asian markets rose early Thursday as details were released of the China-US trade deal signed in Washington, with analysts saying it would allow investors to turn their focus to the global outlook and earnings season. After years of painstaking on-off talks between the economic superpowers, Donald Trump finally put pen to paper on an agreement that lowers tensions between the two and provides a major boost to the global outlook. […]

Asian markets lifted by China support and trade optimism

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Asian markets started the new decade on the front foot, with most rallying out of the blocks Thursday on lingering trade optimism, while China’s central bank announced fresh stimulus for the country’s stuttering economy. The broad advances come as investors remain upbeat about the global outlook after Washington and Beijing eventually reached a trade agreement to ease tensions between the two, while Brexit uncertainty has essentially been removed. However, geopolitical […]

Asian markets rally following China data, eyes on trade talks

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Asian markets rose Monday as investors cheered data showing a surprise jump in Chinese factory activity, while oil prices bounced from last week’s sharp losses after Iraq said top producers could announce a cut in output this week. But while the week started on a positive note, worries about the trade talks were revived by China’s Global Times newspaper saying Beijing wanted all US tariffs rolled back as part of […]

Asian markets lifted by growing trade optimism

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Rising expectations that China and the United States will soon reach an interim trade deal provided fresh impetus to Asian markets on Wednesday, with Donald Trump saying the talks were “in the final throes”. However, observers said that while the broad consensus is that the two will tie up something soon, there is an underlying unease at the lack of detail that is brewing uncertainty. “We’re getting to the point […]

Asia markets plunge on trade fears after US passes HK rights bill

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong led losses as Asian markets tanked on Thursday after US lawmakers passed a bill supporting the city’s civil rights, sparking fears it could derail delicate China-US trade talks. Investors already nervous about the progress of negotiations were sent running for the hills after both houses of Congress overwhelmingly agreed to the bill and sent it to be signed off by Donald Trump. The Hong Kong Human Rights and […]

Asian markets mixed as dealers eye trade talks, Hong Kong rallies

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Asian markets were mixed Monday on broad optimism that China and the United States are close to a mini trade deal, while Hong Kong rallied after last week’s hefty losses but investors remain on edge over violent protests that have wracked the city. US traders sent the Dow above 28,000 for the first time on Friday after top White House officials played up the progress of negotiations with Beijing. Donald […]

Asian markets boosted by fresh China-US trade optimism

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Asian markets rose Friday as trade hopes were given a boost by Donald Trump’s economic aide saying “enormous progress” had been made in talks with China, easing recent concerns that they were stumbling. Hong Kong enjoyed a much-needed leg-up after a bruising week but sentiment remained fragile after the city endured another night of violent protest, with the transport network partially shut down and many businesses closed for the fifth […]

Asian markets mixed as dealers await trade news, Hong Kong rises

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Asian markets were mixed in early trade Tuesday with investors keeping tabs on the latest developments in the China-US trade talks, while Hong Kong staged a minor recovery after the previous day’s steep losses. The pound built on gains after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was given a boost by news the Brexit party would not run against his Conservatives in hundreds of seats in next month’s general election. While […]

Asian markets mixed as traders await news on China-US talks

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Asian markets were mixed Tuesday as investors took a step back after recent rallies, awaiting the next developments in the China-US trade talks. Wall Street provided a perfect lead — with all three main indexes closing at record highs — on optimism the economic superpowers are close to agreeing on the first part of a wider tariffs pact. Global markets have been enjoying a healthy run in recent weeks, boosted […]

Asian markets mostly but trade concerns cast shadow

HONG KONG, United States (AFP) — Most Asian markets rose on Friday as traders overcame early jitters about the China-US trade talks that were fuelled by a report saying Beijing officials had raised doubts about the chances of a long-term deal. Investors were also spooked by a speech by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in which he called China “truly hostile” to the US, leading Beijing to accuse the White House of “viciously” attacking it. […]

Most Asian markets extend gains on trade, rates, earnings hope

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Asian markets mostly rose Tuesday, taking up the baton after a record close on Wall Street, with investors filled with a renewed sense of hope over China-US talks, while the pound was winning support from easing Brexit fears. Expectations for another Federal Reserve interest rate cut this week and a strong corporate reporting season were also providing a much-needed lift to confidence after a rollercoaster year on global trading floors. […]