HK stocks edge up ahead of tariff talks
HK stocks edge up ahead of tariff talks
The Hang Seng Index ended 84.04 points, or 0.37 percent, up at 22,775.92. File photo: RTHK
Asian and European markets mostly rose on Thursday ahead of weekend tariff talks between China and the United States, with London boosted by reports that a "major trade deal" flagged by Donald Trump was with Britain.
In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index gained 84.04 points, or 0.37 percent, to close at 22,775.92.
The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index rose 0.7 percent to end at 8,300.25 while the Hang Seng Tech Index rose 0.56 percent to end at 5,228.91
Stocks across the border closed higher, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.28 percent to 3,352.
The Shenzhen Component Index closed 0.93 percent higher at 10,197.66.
The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, gained 1.65 percent to close at 2,029.45 points.
The ChiNext Index, together with the Shenzhen Component Index and other indices, reflects the performance of stocks listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.
After the fireworks sparked by the US president's "Liberation Day" on April 2, markets have enjoyed a period of calm in recent weeks on optimism that countries will reach agreements with Washington to avoid his potentially damaging tariffs.
That sentiment was given a boost this week when Chinese and US officials said top negotiators would meet on Saturday and Sunday for their first talks since Trump unveiled his bombshell levies.
The pound extended gains to spike at US$1.3377 but later eased back to sit barely moved from the day before.
London was on the front foot in the morning, tracking gains in Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul and Mumbai.
Paris and Frankfurt also enjoyed gains, while US futures were up.
Singapore, Wellington, Manila, Bangkok and Jakarta fell, while Taipei was flat.
The White House's hardball approach to trade continues to cause anxiety, and Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell warned on Wednesday that there was "a great deal of uncertainty" about where the administration's policies will end up.
In a news conference after the Fed stood pat on interest rates, Powell said: "If the large increases in tariffs that have been announced are sustained they're likely to generate a rise in inflation, a slowdown in economic growth and an increase in unemployment.
"The effects on inflation could be short-lived, reflecting a one-time shift in the price level," he added, but also warned it was "possible that the inflationary effects could instead be more persistent".
The Fed, in its post-meeting statement, said that "uncertainty about the economic outlook has increased further" and that the chances of higher unemployment and inflation had also risen. (AFP)
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