Articles in this Cluster
23-04-2025
Asia-Pacific stocks rallied after Wall Street gains on hopes U.S.-China trade tensions may ease. President Trump said final tariffs on Chinese exports won’t be near 145% but won’t be zero, and he has no intention to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell, boosting sentiment.
Regional moves: Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose ~2.5% and Hang Seng Tech ~3.2%; China’s CSI 300 +0.22%; Japan’s Nikkei +2.09% (Topix +2.05%); Taiwan’s Taiex +3.5%; South Korea’s Kospi +1.51% (Kosdaq +0.93%); Australia’s ASX 200 +1.22%; India’s Nifty 50 +0.64% and Sensex +0.56%. U.S. markets rebounded sharply (Dow +2.66%, S&P 500 +2.51%, Nasdaq +2.71%).
Sector highlights: Tech and consumer cyclicals led gains in Hong Kong and Taiwan; TSMC and Foxconn rose ~5% and 4.2% respectively. Gold retreated (~$3,363/oz) after briefly topping $3,500, weighing on gold miners in Australia, while major miners BHP, Fortescue, and Rio Tinto climbed. Macquarie Group shares jumped over 5% after Nomura agreed to buy its U.S. and European public asset management units for $1.8 billion.
After-hours U.S. movers: Tesla dipped on revenue/earnings miss; Enphase fell >12% on miss and soft outlook; Intuitive Surgical ~-6% after flagging lower 2025 margins due to tariffs despite Q1 beats.
Entities: Asia-Pacific stocks, U.S.-China trade tensions, Donald Trump, Jerome Powell, Hang Seng Index • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: positive • Intent: inform
23-04-2025
U.S. delisting fears for Chinese stocks have resurfaced after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said “everything is on the table,” amid President Trump’s “America First Investment Policy” directing agencies to tighten scrutiny of China-linked investments. Under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, the SEC can delist firms that fail audit access for two consecutive years; new SEC chair Paul Atkins signaled support for enforcement. Goldman Sachs warns an extreme scenario could force U.S. investors to liquidate up to $800 billion in Chinese equities, while Chinese investors might sell sizable U.S. assets. ETFs like KraneShares say delisting remains low probability and are shifting exposure to Hong Kong listings as a hedge. Many major Chinese firms, including Alibaba, have secondary Hong Kong listings; PDD notably does not. Political pressure is rising, with Congress urging banks to drop roles in Chinese IPOs and renewed scrutiny of U.S. endowments’ China exposure. While the PCAOB currently sees no issuers at risk, experts note the timeline could advance, making delistings possible as early as 2026. Despite signals from the White House of potential near-term easing in tensions, investors may de-risk first.
Entities: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (HFCAA), Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), Goldman Sachs, KraneShares • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
23-04-2025
European stocks were set to open higher Wednesday as global sentiment improved on reduced trade-war fears and reassurance about Fed leadership. U.S. President Trump signaled final tariffs on Chinese goods will be below 145% (but not zero) and said he has no intention of firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell, boosting U.S. futures and Asian markets. European investors await earnings from NatWest and Heathrow and euro zone PMI data. Spot gold fell about 0.55% to $3,362.85/oz after hitting a record earlier in the week amid the risk-on tone. FTSE 100, DAX, CAC 40, and FTSE MIB were all indicated sharply higher at the open.
Entities: European stocks, Donald Trump, Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, China tariffs • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: positive • Intent: inform
23-04-2025
U.S. stock futures jumped after President Trump said he has no intention of firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell, easing market jitters amid recent criticism of Powell and calls for rate cuts. Dow futures rose over 400 points, with S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures up 1.45% and 1.69%, respectively. The rally follows a strong session where the Dow gained more than 1,000 points and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rose over 2%, aided by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hinting at potential de-escalation in U.S.-China trade tensions despite high reciprocal tariffs. Investors have recently flocked to gold, which hit a record $3,509.90, suggesting sidelined capital could return to equities. After-hours movers included Tesla (down after missing Q1 estimates), Enphase Energy (down over 12% on a miss and soft outlook), and Intuitive Surgical (down nearly 6% on margin guidance despite Q1 beats). Powell’s term runs through May 2026.
Entities: Jerome Powell, Donald Trump, Federal Reserve, U.S.-China trade tensions, Dow Jones Industrial Average • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: positive • Intent: inform
23-04-2025
President Trump signaled a major softening in the US-China trade war, saying tariffs on Chinese goods—recently escalated to over 145%—will “come down substantially,” though not to zero. His comments followed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s private remarks that the current tariff levels are effectively embargoing trade and are unsustainable, hinting at near-term de-escalation aimed at “rebalancing” rather than decoupling. Markets rallied in response across the US and Asia. China has retaliated with its own steep tariffs, export controls, and industry-specific pressures but says it remains open to talks on equal terms. Trump expressed optimism about negotiations with Xi Jinping, signaling a conciliatory tone.
Entities: Donald Trump, US-China trade war, tariffs, Scott Bessent, China • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
23-04-2025
After market turmoil and warnings from top advisers and major retail CEOs, President Trump walked back threats to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell and signaled a softer stance on escalating tariffs with China. CEOs from Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Lowe’s warned of supply chain disruption and potential empty store shelves if tariffs persisted. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s comments about a multi-year path to rebalance trade and efforts to de-escalate tensions helped steady markets. Following Trump’s assurance he wouldn’t remove Powell, stocks rose for a second day, though gains moderated as officials stressed no unilateral tariff cuts and a lengthy timeline for any trade reset.
Entities: Donald Trump, Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve, China tariffs, Walmart • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
23-04-2025
Hangzhou, dubbed China’s Silicon Valley, is experiencing a surge in tech innovation and confidence despite U.S. tariffs and export controls. Supported by local government incentives, a strong talent pipeline, and a pro-entrepreneurship environment centered around Zhejiang University, startups are rapidly scaling. AI firm DeepSeek’s breakthrough open-source model has become a national milestone, signaling China’s growing competitiveness in advanced tech and earning high-level political backing. While U.S. restrictions are disrupting access to American markets and chips, local entrepreneurs argue it will spur further self-reliance and innovation. Though tech growth can’t fully offset broader economic pressures, Hangzhou’s ecosystem is poised to have global impact.
Entities: Hangzhou, Zhejiang University, DeepSeek, U.S. tariffs and export controls, China’s Silicon Valley • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: positive • Intent: inform
23-04-2025
U.S. stocks rallied on Wednesday on shifting signals from the Trump administration about tariffs, trade, and the Federal Reserve, underscoring markets’ sensitivity to headline-driven policy uncertainty. The S&P 500 rose 1.7% after early gains faded when the Treasury Secretary dismissed talk of unilateral tariff cuts; markets had initially climbed on Trump’s pledge not to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell following earlier threats. Analysts called the volatility characteristic of a bear market and warned that the administration’s “threaten-retreat” pattern could dampen business and consumer decisions. Tech led gains, with the Nasdaq up 2.5% and big moves in Amazon, Meta, and Tesla. Global markets rose, the dollar strengthened, 10-year Treasury yields edged down, and gold retreated from record highs. Despite recent rallies, the S&P 500 remains about 10% below its level at Trump’s inauguration.
Entities: U.S. stocks, Trump administration, Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, S&P 500 • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
23-04-2025
Hong Kong stocks rallied for a second day on hopes of easing US-China trade tensions after President Trump signaled lower tariffs on Chinese goods and affirmed support for Fed Chair Powell. The Hang Seng Index rose 2.4% and the Hang Seng Tech Index 2.5%. Tech and export-focused names led gains: Alibaba +5.8%, Kuaishou +3.8%, Xiaomi +6.4%, Shenzhou International +4%, Sunny Optical +3.6%. Laggards included Zijin Mining (-4.9%), China Mobile (-1.8%), and Nongfu Spring (-1.2%). Mainland benchmarks were mixed, while US stocks also climbed on Trump’s comments.
Entities: Alibaba, Kuaishou, Hang Seng Index, US-China trade tensions, Donald Trump • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: positive • Intent: inform
23-04-2025
Analysts say recent White House signals about easing tariffs on China reflect U.S. pressure rather than real progress in trade talks, giving Beijing leverage to hold out for better terms. President Trump said tariffs “will not be as high as 145%” and would “come down substantially, but won’t be zero,” after claiming high-level contacts were ongoing. Chen Zhiwu of the University of Hong Kong called the remarks typical signaling, indicating U.S. anxiety while China shows no impatience, suggesting Beijing can afford to wait.
Entities: Donald Trump, China, Beijing, White House, tariffs • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: analyze
23-04-2025
Global stock markets rallied after Donald Trump signaled he would substantially reduce tariffs on China and affirmed he has no intention of firing Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell. Asian indexes rose 1.6%–2.4%, European markets gained up to 2.6%, and U.S. stocks opened sharply higher before closing up. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent struck a conciliatory tone, suggesting a near-term de-escalation in U.S.-China trade tensions. The prospect of lower tariffs and Fed independence boosted risk assets; the dollar and oil rose, while gold retreated from record highs.
Entities: Donald Trump, China tariffs, Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, Global stock markets • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: positive • Intent: inform
