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Interest rates

Interest rates
An interest rate is the amount charged by banks to borrowers for any loan, which is a percentage of the principal. It is an important monetary tool for central banks to control inflation and boost economic growth. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority maintains its official base rate in lockstep with the US Federal Reserve because the Hong Kong dollar has been pegged with the US currency since 1983. Hong Kong commercial banks can decide when to change their prime lending rate and deposit rate, which may differ in terms of timing and margin of change.
New cars are advertised for sale at deep discounts at a showroom in Chengdu, southwest China. Photo: Reuters
China inflation

China must take action to avoid Japan-style deflation spiral, scholars warn

Unless Beijing introduces more forceful policies, consumers could get locked into a mindset that is ‘nearly impossible to break’, scholars say.

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Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)

Hong Kong interbank rates forecast to drop on expected 2026 US monetary easing

United States

Opinion | Why Donald Trump will focus on the Fed in 2026

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China property

China housing market gets VAT relief on resales but demand outlook stays subdued

Policy lowering VAT to 3 per cent reduces seller costs but demand recovery is key to stabilising the housing sector, property agents say.

Individuals selling homes within two years of purchase will be subject to a VAT rate of 3 per cent, down from 5 per cent, from January 1. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong’s SHKP nudges up prices on latest Sierra Sea flats on offer

Developer offers 148 units in Phase 2A of Sierra Sea development, expecting strong demand from homebuyers.

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong primary home sales to see decade high as small flats perk up market

Attractive discounts, easing mortgage costs and policy support drive the market’s shift towards flats that cost below US$1.3 million.

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Hong Kong property

Yau Tong project nearly sells out amid hopes of home market recovery in 2026

The flats at One Park Place were in high demand after developers Sino Land, CSI Properties and MTR offered discounts of up to 15 per cent.

A view of One Park Place in Yau Tong. Photo: Google maps
Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin drops below US$90,000 as AI worries sour risk appetite

The fall signals renewed market jitters after the historic crypto crash in October.

Banking & finance

Six major Hong Kong banks keep prime rates unchanged despite HKMA base rate cut

Savings rates near zero limit room for cuts as lenders protect profitability margins, analysts say.

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United States

US Fed delivers quarter-point rate cut as policymakers weigh inflation outlook

Move falls short of Trump’s demands as debate over Fed independence intensifies and markets brace for global spillover effects.

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US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is set to step down in May. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong home prices to rise in 2026 due to mainland Chinese buyers, rate cut

‘Housing prices have bottomed out, and the outlook for 2026 is cautiously optimistic,’ JLL Hong Kong chairman Joseph Tsang says.

Homebuying sentiment is expected to rise in 2026. Photo: Dickson Lee
China trade

‘Strong breakwaters’: China’s central bank vows to shield from external shocks

Governor Pan Gongsheng says policy must prioritise the domestic economy, warning against ‘excessive policy swings’ that could undermine long-term stability.

Commodities

Silver surge outpaces gold on global squeeze, rising interest rate-cut hopes

White metal doubles in value this year to reach record high, outshining gold’s 60 per cent rise.

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong developers Emperor and Lai Sun find relief amid debt pressures

Emperor secures bank approval while Lai Sun negotiates asset sales as they work to ease debt pressures.

The Emperor Group Centre shopping centre in Wan Chai. Photo: Shutterstock Images
Bonds

Hong Kong dollar bonds to continue surge after record US$42 billion year

City’s deep, liquid market and low inflation attract issuers amid a structural shift away from the US dollar, analysts say.

A view of Central and Victoria Harbour on November 26, 2024. Photo: AFP
Mainland China

Gold fever in China

Prices for the precious metal have hit record highs spurred by Chinese retail investors and central bank purchases.

Hong Kong property

‘No acne’ salon boss snaps up US$19.58 million Ho Man Tin luxury duplex

The director behind Hong Kong’s “no acne” salon has bought into the Ultima development, putting a fresh face on the city’s luxury market.

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Hong Kong property

Momentum builds: ‘bigger’ Hong Kong property rebound forecast for 2026

Resurgent stock market helps steer secondary home prices to 14-month high as rent index maintains historical peak.

Residential property prices are projected to rise by about 3 per cent in 2025 and around 3 per cent to 5 per cent next year, analysts say. Photo: Eugene Lee
Yuan

China sets strongest yuan fix in over a year as Fed-cut bets rise

China’s currency is outperforming the euro and yen despite economic headwinds, with analysts pointing to Beijing’s geopolitical leverage as the driver.

Hong Kong property

‘Out of ICU’: Hong Kong’s quarterly real estate deals triple to US$4.9 billion

Hong Kong was the second-best performing commercial real estate market in Asia-Pacific after Malaysia in the three months to September: MSCI.

United States

Trump eyes Christmas deadline to name new Fed chair: Bessent

The US treasury secretary says simplifying the Fed is key, as he conducts interviews with the five candidates to succeed Chair Jerome Powell.

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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks to the media, following trade talks between the US and China, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on October 26. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong sees lacklustre weekend property sales at Tuen Mun development

The Reserve at Gold Coast Bay sells only 14 flats of the 152 units on offer as of 6.30pm.

Potential homebuyers are seen at the Tsim Sha Tsui showroom of The Reserve at Gold Coast Bay in Tuen Mun. Photo: Dickson Lee
Banking & finance

As China’s central bank projects confidence, are rate cuts on the back burner?

The People’s Bank of China said the economy was on track to hit its annual growth target despite facing a challenging environment.

Currencies

Dollar carry trade defies ‘Sell America’ woes, trounces world’s stocks

A Bloomberg gauge of the US dollar bounced back around 3 per cent from a September low, in part because of the so-called carry trade.

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong property deals rise to 3-month high as buyers benefit from rate cut

October marks the third straight month of gains in the sector, strengthening the outlook for a sustained market recovery.

Homebuyers on Sunday stand in line at the sales office of Wheelock Properties’ Spring Garden residential project in Wan Chai. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Bonds

Hong Kong dollar bond sales slump amid elevated interest rates

Bond sales in the local currency fell about 30 per cent month on month to HK$357.7 billion (US$46 billion) in October.

Bond sales in Hong Kong fell as Hibor remained elevated after hitting a four-month high in late September. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong finance chief Paul Chan says economy ‘doing OK’ as GDP rises by 3.8%

Financial Secretary Paul Chan welcomes move to cut interest rate to 4.25 per cent, saying it will ease pressure on residents and businesses.

Standard Chartered Bank

Standard Chartered’s profit rises on trade loans, wealth management

Net profit rose to US$1.03 billion, or 44.5 US cents per share, in the quarter that ended in September, the London-based bank said in a filing.

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