Scott Bessent often says he wants to be America’s “top bond salesman”. For the treasury secretary, falling bond yields would be a sign of success. An accountant might raise an eyebrow, though, on encountering a salesman who juiced his figures by purchasing his own wares. On August 19th Mr Bessent set out plans for the…
This undated photo shows signage for AIA Group Ltd at the Hong Kong Observation Wheel and atop the AIA Central building in Hong Kong. (PHOTO/BLOOMBERG) AIA Group Ltd reported 13 percent growth in new business value in the first half of this year, led by strong sales in key markets including the Hong Kong Special…
China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng said Beijing will embed anti-sanctions provisions into its financial laws, vowing to counter what he called unreasonable foreign suppression. Speaking at a Shanghai forum on Wednesday, He underscored explicit provisions in a draft financial law to block and counter “improper unilateral sanctions.” Without naming any country, He said authorities would…
Hong Kong’s residential property market recovery is unlikely to be derailed by a potential increase in interest rates amid the Middle East conflict, as demand is supported by professionals relocating to the city and surging rents, according to Moody’s Ratings. At the same time, the moribund office and retail property sectors were showing signs of…
Britons are awaiting the final results of local elections across the U.K., with polls pointing to a backlash against the ruling Labour party as cost of living pressures have once again dominated political discourse. Early council election results show Reform UK have made significant gains at the expense of Labour and the Conservatives, as the…
K&K Property launched 122 one-bedroom units at foto+, a single residential tower in Mong Kok close to Olympic station, while Wang On Properties put 100 units up for sale at the Connext project in Wong Tai Sin. By 7pm Friday, 103 of the foto+ units had found buyers, and seven Connext flat were taken, according…
Hong Kong’s lived-in home prices rose 1.6 per cent in February, marking the 11th straight month of positive movement for the residential property segment, as the city’s rents scaled another peak, according to official data. Since reversing a downward trend in April, second-hand home prices had climbed nearly 8 per cent so far, bringing the…
Hongkonger Katie Chan was hoping to buy a flat to live in, and although the 37-year-old accountant was in no rush, the potential longer pause in interest rate cuts could delay her decision. For Chan, the ideal mortgage would be if the one-month Hong Kong interbank offered rate (Hibor) fell below 1.95 per cent, but…
The Federal Reserve’s final meeting of the year is set to begin on Tuesday morning, Dec. 9, with the central bank scheduled to announce its final monetary policy decision at 2:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday afternoon. Investors expect the Fed will cut rates by 0.25%, its third cut of the year, at the conclusion of…
John Williams, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, speaks during an Economic Club of New York (ECNY) event in New York, US, on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. David Dee Delgado | Bloomberg | Getty Images Communication at the Federal Reserve, particularly at the highest levels, rarely happens by…