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US Federal Reserve

US Federal Reserve
Founded in 1913, the Federal Reserve is the central banking system for the United States.
A combination of pictures shows US Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell (left) and President Donald Trump. Photo: AFP
United States

Trump threatens to fire Fed chair Powell if he doesn’t step down ‘in time’

Powell’s stint as the leader of the central bank expires in May, but his term on Board of Governors does not end until 2028.

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Artificial intelligence

China banks buffer against AI contagions as US sweats over Anthropic’s Mythos

Banking & finance

As France pulls gold from the US, how can China become the next global gold hub?

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Hong Kong property

Hong Kong developers test homebuyers with price increases after sell-outs

‘This is a classic recovery-phase strategy: testing price elasticity without undermining the building momentum,’ an analyst says.

The Chester has 241 flats with layouts from one to four bedrooms. Photo: Handout
Commodities

Gold may reverse course once Iran war ends, Fed adopts policy easing

Gold has been on a wild ride this year, surging as much as 25 per cent before the war in Iran wiped out almost all the gains.

Central banks

Macroscope | Asian central banks largely powerless in face of Iran war energy shock

Central banks cannot pump oil into the global economy in the same way they can flood the financial system with liquidity.

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Hong Kong property

La Mirabelle sells in hours as developers ramp up sales, buyers fret over rates

All 254 Tseung Kwan O flats snapped up as developers step up supply and demand stays firm.

La Mirabelle in Harbour Bay is to be developed in two phases, each comprising about 1,200 units, for a total of 2,550 units. Photo: Handouit
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong developers test market with 222 units released amid rate uncertainty

So far this year, 5,500 new residential units have been sold in Hong Kong, a 25 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong home prices surge to 22-month high, but Iran war clouds outlook

Price gains accelerated in February, according to official government index, but interest-rate risk looms, analysts say.

Hong Kong property

Will a longer pause in rate cuts threaten Hong Kong’s property upturn?

A wait-and-see approach by Hong Kong homebuyers amid rising geopolitical uncertainties could dampen recovery in the sector.

Residential buying sentiment may soften given the reduced rate cut outlook, according to Morningstar. Photo: Dickson Lee
Commodities

Gold slides as hawkish Fed and strong US dollar override geopolitical fears

Market watchers point to fading hopes of interest rate cuts and oil-driven inflation concerns as key drivers of the decline.

A modest rebound driven by technical buying on Friday did little to alter the broader downtrend, with gold prices hovering around the US$4,500 level. Photo: DPA
Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)

HKMA warns of interest rate uncertainty amid Middle East conflict

HKMA leaves city’s base rate untouched at 4 per cent, as HSBC, Standard Chartered and BOCHK keep prime lending and saving rates unchanged.

United States

US Fed defies Trump to keep interest rates unchanged amid Iran war concerns

Spiking oil prices could fuel inflation and curb growth, even as the US president repeatedly calls for rate cuts.

United States

Trump administration urges judge to revisit ruling blocking Powell subpoenas

A federal judge had ruled on Friday that a DOJ investigation into Powell was intended to pressure the Fed chairman to lower interest ‌rates.

US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. Photo: Reuters
United States

Judge quashes subpoenas of Fed chair, says probe was ‘politically motivated’

A ‘mountain of evidence’ suggests the subpoenas were to pressure Jerome Powell to obey Trump’s demands to cut interest rates, the judge says.

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US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a press conference in Washington in January. Photo: Reuters
China stock market

Trump’s Fed pick Warsh stokes uncertainty as investors weigh his policy shifts

US Treasuries have been falling recently, partially reflecting investor concerns that Warsh’s succession will slow rate reductions.

United States

US sheds 92,000 jobs in warning sign for Trump’s economy

Unemployment crept up, while job numbers showed a surprise reversal from growth in the previous month.

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Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks record steepest weekly slump in 4 months on US-Iran war

For the week, the Hang Seng Index fell 3.3 per cent, the worst weekly performance since November 21.

Shares in Hong Kong have been pummelled this week by the US-Iran war. Photo: Dickson Lee
US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Are investors spooked by Iran violence? Market response suggests not

Renewed fighting in the Middle East bodes ill for the global economy, but it is not yet enough to counterbalance other short-term factors.

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Hong Kong economy

From oil spikes to power bills, how war on Iran will hit Hongkongers’ wallets

Residents may face higher energy and dining costs as analysts stress the city cannot remain immune to surging oil prices.

Yuan

China’s yuan strengthens to near 3-year high as US dollar uncertainty grows

The offshore currency continues to appreciate, with official fixing also hitting its strongest level since May 2023.

The yuan has appreciated steadily in recent months. By contrast, the US dollar has remained under sustained pressure, with investor confidence sapped by persistent concerns over the Trump administration’s policy volatility and fears over long-term fiscal sustainability. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong budget 2026-27

Hong Kong budget 2026-27: should the coming blueprint boost yuan’s global push?

Experts say Hong Kong has ‘distinct advantages’ that can support the country’s financial development amid geopolitical uncertainties.

Given mainland China’s current capital controls, the internationalisation of the yuan has largely proceeded through offshore markets. Photo: Reuters
Banking & finance

Opinion | Why the Fed credibility crisis will hit emerging markets harder

As confidence in US monetary stewardship falters, inflation risks rise and capital flows become more volatile. Emerging markets with fewer policy buffers will bear the brunt.

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Cryptocurrency

‘Sentiment is bleak’: bitcoin declines amid geopolitical tensions

Bitcoin prices drop as much as 3.2 per cent to US$66,604 on Tuesday, before paring the decline.

Banking & finance

Can Hong Kong’s MPF members repeat record gains in Year of the Horse?

Volatility looms in the Year of the Horse, analysts forecast, after the Year of the Snake delivered estimated earnings of US$32 billion.

People walk during lunch hour in Central, Hong Kong. In the previous Year of the Horse in 2014, MPF members earned 2.2 per cent, while in 2002 they lost 0.4 per cent. Photo: Karma Lo
United States

US inflation cools more than expected, kindling hopes of Fed rate cut

The consumer price index rose 2.4 per cent year-on-year, the lowest level since May, though affordability concerns still weigh on households.

A shopper looks at vegetables in a grocery store in Schaumburg, Illinois, on Monday. Photo: AP
United States

US job market defies Trump policy fears with January growth

US job growth exceeded expectations in January, while unemployment dropped to 4.3 per cent, despite concerns over Trump’s policies.

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US-China relations

US seeks fair China competition, looks to realign Latin America ties

Scott Bessent says Washington wants to reduce security risks without decoupling from Beijing as it steps up engagement across Latin America.

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