# Tags

RBA Pauses at 3.85% as It Waits on Inflation Data Before Cutting Rates

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) surprised markets on July 8 by keeping its official cash rate at 3.85%, the lowest since May 2023. The decision defied analysts’ expectations of a likely 25 basis point cut this month, marking the bank’s first hold since beginning its easing cycle in February. In its accompanying statement, the […]

Japan Brands Trump’s New Tariff Letters ‘Regrettable,’ As Deadline Looms

On Monday, President Donald Trump escalated trade tensions across Asia by sending formal notices to Japan and South Korea, threatening to impose 25% tariffs on their exports to the United States unless new trade pacts are finalized by August 1. The move has sparked concern in diplomatic circles, as it significantly raises the stakes in […]

Tesla Stock Drops 7% Following Musk’s Announcement of New Political Party

Tesla Inc. shares fell around 7% in premarket trading on July 7 after CEO Elon Musk revealed the launch of the “America Party,” marking a new foray into politics and prompting unease among investors. Analysts, including Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities, warn this move runs counter to investor expectations. An analyst emphasized that Musk’s shift toward […]

Samsung’s Second-Quarter Profit Takes 39% Hit from HBM Chip Delays

Samsung Electronics is forecast to report a 39% drop in its Q2 operating profit, falling to approximately ₩6.3 trillion ($4.62 billion)—its lowest performance in six quarters, according to LSEG SmartEstimate. The decline is primarily attributed to delay in delivering high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, notably its advanced HBM3E 12-high modules, to lead AI chipmaker Nvidia. Ryu […]

Trump Threatens Extra 10% Tariff for Aligning with BRICS Policies

On July 7, President Donald Trump escalated his trade stance, announcing that any country perceived to “align with the anti‑American policies of BRICS” will be hit with an additional 10% tariff, effective August 1, unless trade deals are secured by July 9. White House Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified that while the July 9 letters will detail new tariff […]

Europe Faces July 9 Tariff Deadline—Only a Framework Deal in Sight

With the July 9 deadline looming, European and U.S. trade negotiators are racing against the clock. If no deal is reached, President Trump has threatened up to 50% tariffs on EU exports, including autos, pharmaceuticals, and steel. In Washington this week, EU Trade Chief Maroš Šefčovič has met with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary […]

U.S.–Vietnam Trade Deal Offers Glimpse into Next Phase of Targeted Tariffs

On Thursday, President Trump unveiled a carefully calibrated bilateral trade agreement with Vietnam, signaling a strategic shift in U.S. tariff policy. Under the deal: Most Vietnamese imports will face a 20% tariff, down sharply from the temporary 46% applied in April. A punitive 40% rate will hit goods deemed to have been transshipped via Vietnam […]

UBS Survey Finds Reserve Managers Concerned Over Fed Autonomy and U.S. Legal Framework

According to a new UBS Asset Management survey, central banks across the globe are expressing growing skepticism about the long-term stability of the U.S. financial system. Nearly 67% of reserve managers surveyed fear for the Federal Reserve’s independence, and close to half now believe the U.S. rule of law may deteriorate to a point that […]

Hong Kong’s IPO Market Surges as Shein’s Hong Kong Listing Looms

Hong Kong’s IPO landscape is roaring back in 2025, posting the strongest first-half performance since 2021. Equity issuance reached US $12.8 billion—triple last year’s level—and the Hang Seng Index surged about 21% year-to-date. Driving this momentum has been a wave of A‑to‑H listings, where tech and EV firms like CATL, Xiaomi, and BYD collectively raised over $11 billion, […]