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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.
Residential buying sentiment may soften given the reduced rate cut outlook, according to Morningstar. Photo: Dickson Lee
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

Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)

HKMA warns of interest rate uncertainty amid Middle East conflict

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.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: AP
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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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
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong, Sydney or Dubai? Prime real estate investors take their pick

Rich buyers are reshaping ultra-luxury property markets from Sydney and Hong Kong to Dubai, drawn by each city’s unique selling proposition.

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong developer Sino Land posts steady profit amid market improvements

Chairman Daryl Ng highlights the city’s encouraging property sales performance in the second half of 2025.

Banking & finance

HSBC to boost spending in Hong Kong, other high-growth markets to US$1.8 billion

HSBC reported a 7 per cent profit drop, but shares rose on its CEO’s comments on higher return goals, steady dividends and new growth plans.

HSBC Holdings is the largest banking group in Europe and Hong Kong by assets. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong home sales head for 22-year high as developers test price resilience

Deep discounts that were offered by developers to reduce unsold inventory may be a thing of the past, analysts say.

Aerial view of residential buildings in Tseung Kwan O. Photo: Sam Tsang
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.

Singapore

Singapore wage growth outpaced inflation for most in 2025, PM says

Singapore’s definition of household income now includes income from non-work sources, including rental and investment income.

Hong Kong property

How Hong Kong’s headquarters economy fuels rebound in commercial property

The headquarters economy is powering office and retail recovery, with rising demand, stabilising rents and renewed investor confidence.

The city’s office market showed signs of stability in 2025. Photo: SCMP
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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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, (left) gestures as US President Donald Trump delivers a speech in front of US Navy personnel at the US naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, on October 28, 2025. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong property

SHKP posts another Sierra Sea sell-out as Hong Kong property rebound strengthens

Fifth consecutive sell-out at Sai Sha development shows recovery gathering pace, with analysts forecasting further price increases ahead.

Japan

Macroscope | Could Japan stop being the ballast of the bond market?

A lower house election victory would give flight to Prime Minister Takaichi’s fiscal expansionism – and introduce upheaval far beyond Japan.

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United States

Trump picks former Federal Reserve official Kevin Warsh to chair US central bank

The nomination comes as economic issues – from tariffs to affordability – dominate the policy agenda ahead of the November midterm elections.

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Kevin Warsh is a former governor of the Federal Reserve Board. Photo: AP
US Federal Reserve

Before Trump’s Fed pick, a new clear favourite emerges for chair

Betting markets show shiny odds for a former governor, with a prominent asset manager trailing a distant second as the announcement looms.

Banking & finance

Hong Kong regains lustre as stocks rally, property picks up

A booming IPO market, lower interest rates and the return of overseas visitors are boosting Hong Kong’s economy, stock market and Exchange Fund.

Banking & finance

HKMA warns of risks as Hong Kong follows Fed in keeping interest rate unchanged

Analysts see the first US rate cut in June, with a falling Hong Kong interbank rate set to bring relief to borrowers.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority kept its base rate unchanged at 4 per cent on Thursday. Photo: Jonathan Wong
United States

US Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, defying Trump pressure

The US president had been pushing for cuts at the central bank’s first policy gathering this year.

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A view of the US Federal Reserve building in Washington on Monday. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong home prices snap 3-year downturn as rents surge to a new high

The property market has turned a corner, buoyed by rate cuts, stock gains and talent schemes, analysts say.

Bonds

Spiking yen fuels risk-averse mood as investors take defensive stance

Yen hits two-month high amid fears US and Japan will intervene to prop up the currency ahead of Japan’s election next month.

Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)

How lower US interest rates can help Hongkongers amid steady local prime rates

Most new mortgages, many corporate loans are based on interbank rates, which will continue to fall, monetary authority’s deputy chief says.

A view of residential buildings in front of Lion Rock Hill on April 15, 2025. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong property

All signs point to rebound in Hong Kong’s housing market: Morgan Stanley analyst

A combination of factors – falling interest rates, rising rents and stamp duty removal – bodes well for the market after years of downturn.

Praveen Choudhary, head of Asia gaming, Hong Kong and India property research at Morgan Stanley, has covered Asian property markets through many boom-and-bust cycles. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Bonds

Japan bond volatility raises contagion alarm for Asia’s stocks and debt

Japan’s yield spike is testing safe-haven assumptions, with markets debating whether the movement is local or systemic.

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong’s housing market gets a vote of confidence from major banks

Most financial institutions forecast price gains ranging from 5 to 10 per cent, supported by supply constraints and end-user demand.

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