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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.
With the United States warning banks about potential risks from Anthropic’s latest artificial intelligence model, analysts note how China is monitoring for any potential contagion risks. Photo: Reuters
Artificial intelligence

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

With Beijing prioritising financial stability, analysts say state lenders take a measured approach to generative models amid growing global cybersecurity risks.

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

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.

Customers look at gold jewelry at a store in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China on March 23, 2026. Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images
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.

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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.

An aerial view of the Kowloon district of Hong Kong. Photo: Sam Tsang
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.

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.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority maintained the city’s base rate at 4 per cent on Thursday. Photo: Jonathan Wong
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.

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.

Former US Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh speaks during a monetary policy conference at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution in Palo Alto, California, May 9, 2025. Photo: Reuters
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.

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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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People wait to cross a road in front of an electronic display showing the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong on March 4, as the US-Israel war in Iran sent oil prices rising. Photo: AFP
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.

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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US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell speaks during a press conference at the Federal Reserve Board Building in Washington on January 28. Photo: AFP
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.

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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A pedestrian walks past a “Now Hiring” sign posted in front of a business in Los Angeles in August 2025. Photo: AFP
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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Banking & finance

Macroscope | Trump-Takaichi meddling in finance spells more turbulence ahead

The two leaders’ moves into economics despite their lack of knowledge threaten to further destabilise global finance and inflate debt levels.

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