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<rss version="2.0"><channel><title>rthk.hk - Express News: Finance</title><link>https://news.rthk.hk</link><description>rthk.hk - Express News: Finance</description><language>en</language><copyright>Radio Television Hong Kong</copyright><webMaster>webmaster@rthk.gov.hk (webmaster)</webMaster><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:30:50 +0800</pubDate><lastBuildDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 13:14:51 +0800</lastBuildDate><category>News</category><docs >http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs ><ttl>10</ttl><image><url>http://rthk.hk/include2010/homepics/images/home_logo.png</url><title><![CDATA[rthk.hk - Express News: Finance]]></title><link>https://news.rthk.hk</link></image><item><title><![CDATA[Paul Chan reaffirms Hong Kong airport hub strength]]></title><guid>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866334-20260816.htm</guid><link>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866334-20260816.htm</link><description><![CDATA[Financial Secretary Paul Chan has reaffirmed the critical role of Hong Kong’s aviation sector in driving the city’s economic growth, citing a sharp rise in passenger numbers and major infrastructure overhauls that are cementing its status as an international aviation hub.

Writing in his weekly blog on Sunday, Chan highlighted the breadth of the city's air network, noting that around 140 airlines currently connect Hong Kong to more than 225 destinations worldwide. 

This extensive system, he said, provides a seamless and highly efficient framework for arrivals, departures, and transfers, offering travellers a wide range of flexible options.

Backing up his remarks with data, Chan revealed that Hong Kong International Airport recorded over 200,000 aircraft movements in the first half of this year — a 4.4 percent increase year-on-year. 

Passenger traffic climbed 11.7 percent during the same period, reaching 32.8 million travellers.

"Efficient and convenient international connectivity, coupled with a continuous lineup of mega events, has successfully attracted more business and leisure visitors to Hong Kong," he wrote.

The upward trend has extended into the tourism sector, with visitor arrivals in the first seven months of the year totalling 31.22 million — a 12 percent jump compared to the same timeframe last year. 

According to Chan, this steady influx of people not only enriches the city's vitality, but also opens up new business opportunities across multiple industries.

Looking ahead, Chan emphasised that Hong Kong is proactively expanding its aviation network. 

As regional trade patterns evolve, the city is exploring new bilateral civil aviation agreements and upgrading airport infrastructure. 

The three-runway system, now in its second year of operation, is steadily boosting aircraft movement capacity.

Meanwhile, the newly opened Terminal 2 departure facilities — which began service in May and currently host 15 airlines — are projected to handle approximately eight million passenger trips in their first year.

On the technology front, the Airport Authority’s "smart airport" initiative is leveraging biometrics and artificial intelligence to streamline the passenger experience. 

Innovations already in place include facial recognition check-in, mobile express baggage drop-off, and smart security screening systems.

Chan also looked further into the future, pointing to the Skytopia project, which aims to transform the airport into an integrated tourism and commercial landmark. 

Key components include a new arts hub integrating creation, trading, and storage set for early 2027, alongside the Phase 2 expansion of AsiaWorld-Expo and a 500-berth marina, both of which are slated for phased openings starting in 2028.

"Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub is not only the lifeline of the local aviation industry, but also the hardware foundation that enables Hong Kong to function as a 'super value-adder' and a 'super connector'," he wrote.



Edited by Tony Sabine]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 13:14:51 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[FS cautiously optimistic in H2 despite global risks]]></title><guid>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866330-20260816.htm</guid><link>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866330-20260816.htm</link><description><![CDATA[Financial Secretary Paul Chan has expressed cautious optimism regarding Hong Kong’s economic trajectory for the second half of the year, asserting that the SAR is well-positioned to navigate potential turbulence from the shifting global political landscape.

Speaking on a Commercial Radio programme on Sunday, Chan noted the economy performed robustly in the first half of the year, driven largely by strong export activity. 

Both external demand and domestic consumption remained resilient, he said. 

He cited encouraging indicators, including 14 consecutive months of retail sales growth and a modest uptick in the catering sector.

On the financial front, Chan observed that the property and stock markets are showing signs of stabilisation with a positive bias, and the labour market continues to hold up favourably. 

Given these underlying strengths, he said he expects the economy to maintain steady momentum throughout the remainder of the year.

Despite this recent performance, Chan acknowledged that external headwinds — particularly US trade policies and interest rate movements — pose notable risks to Hong Kong. 

Still, he does not foresee dramatic shifts in the near term. 

"As for interest rate trends, the market currently expects no major changes for the rest of the year — maybe one more rate hike of 0.25 percent, which has already been priced in," he said. 

"The US is also facing the midterm elections soon. We believe that for the remainder of this year, the impact on us will be present but the risks are manageable."

On trade, Chan highlighted the agility of both mainland and Hong Kong companies in adapting to changing conditions over the past few years. 

He pointed out that while the US remains an important trading partner, its relative significance has diminished. 

"If you look at our export markets, the US is now ranked fourth in terms of volume. It's still an important market, of course, but compared with Southeast Asia and other regions, its relative scale is smaller," he said. 

"The psychological effect is greater, and that can affect financial markets, leading to greater market fluctuations. As long as we manage the risks properly, we'll be fine."

He also touched on geopolitical uncertainties, including the conflict in the Middle East, which already affected energy supplies in the first half of the year. 

Disruptions to supply chains and potential inflationary pressures are concerns, but Chan maintained that these risks remain containable.

Ultimately, Chan stressed that in the face of external uncertainties, it is all the more crucial for Hong Kong to stay resolute and accelerate its efforts to reinforce stability and growth.



Edited by Tony Sabine]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 11:20:11 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[US stocks retreat from record high after weak data]]></title><guid>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866241-20260815.htm</guid><link>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866241-20260815.htm</link><description><![CDATA[The US stock market edged back from its all-time high on Friday following the latest report on the economy to come in surprisingly weak, this time about how much shoppers are spending at retailers. Such data could keep interest rates low, which is something Wall Street loves, but it also raises the risk of a slowing economy when inflation is still high.

The S&P 500 slipped 0.2 percent from its record set the day before. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 107 points, or 0.2 percent, and the Nasdaq composite sank 0.3 percent.

The S&P 500 fell 13.23 points to 7,785.76, but still closed out a third straight winning week, its longest such streak since a nine-week run that ended in May.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 107.58 to 53,732.41, and the Nasdaq composite sank 73.87 to 26,729.16.

Stocks gave up modest gains from early in the morning after oil prices swung higher. The price for a barrel of Brent crude rose 1.7 percent to US$88.52 as uncertainty continues about when the war with Iran will allow oil tankers to freely exit the Persian Gulf again.

Also raising uncertainty was a report showing shoppers spent less at US retailers last month than the month before. That surprised economists, who were forecasting another month of growth.

On the bright side for financial markets, such a pullback in spending could take pressure off inflation, which could encourage the Federal Reserve to hold off on hikes to interest rates. 

US consumers still appear to be getting more discouraged about the economy. A preliminary survey by the University of Michigan suggested sentiment among them is weakening by more than economists expected.

The survey said drops occurred across the political spectrum and showed up particularly among older, lower-income and other groups who can be hurt most by inflation.

On Wall Street, Reddit jumped 12.6 percent on the news that it will join the S&P 500 index on Tuesday. 

Applied Materials fell 5.1 percent even though the company, whose technology helps make semiconductors, reported stronger profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. 

AI stocks in general have been swinging sharply on worries that their prices shot too high because of AI euphoria and that their strong growth in revenue may not be sustainable. (AP)


Edited by Robert Kemp]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 08:09:56 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[US retail sales weakest in over a year in July]]></title><guid>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866212-20260814.htm</guid><link>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866212-20260814.htm</link><description><![CDATA[US retail sales declined unexpectedly in July, government estimates showed on Friday, marking their weakest showing in more than a year as consumers pulled back at auto dealers and online stores.

Total sales were down 0.6 percent in July from the previous month, at US$763.6 billion, according to the US Department of Commerce.

Excluding sales at auto dealers and gasoline stations, sales dipped 0.2 percent on a month-on-month basis.

Analysts had expected a 0.1 percent uptick in sales for the month instead, and all eyes are on US consumer health as households grapple with inflation while drawing down on their savings.

"American consumers are showing signs of fatigue. July retail sales were disappointing on all levels," said Navy Federal Credit Union chief economist Heather Long.

Consumers likely brought forward their spending to capitalise on online sales events in June, Long said. But she warned: "Even with lower spending on gas in July, consumers weren't eager to spend elsewhere."

Inflation has remained elevated in recent months, boosted by higher gasoline prices, after US-Israel strikes targeting Iran prompted Tehran to block most traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

The waterway is critical for global energy transit and the disruption has pushed prices up at US gasoline stations.

But gasoline prices cooled in July, weighing on sales at the pump, even as costs remain higher than before the Middle East war started.

Among major categories, retail sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers were down 1.8 percent from the prior month. Spending ticked down at grocery stores too, while hobby spending was flat.

Sales at gasoline stations dropped by 0.9 percent, and those at online stores tumbled 2.2 percent.

Still, retail sales were up five percent from the same period a year ago. (AFP)


Edited by Aaron Tam]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 22:35:03 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Govt raises full-year GDP growth forecast]]></title><guid>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866187-20260814.htm</guid><link>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866187-20260814.htm</link><description><![CDATA[The government on Friday raised Hong Kong's economic growth forecast for 2026 to 3.5 percent to 4.5 percent, thanks to a strong first half.

The economy was earlier projected to grow by 2.5 to 3.5 percent year on year.

The upward revision came after the city posted a 5.1 percent growth in the January-to-June period, the best half-year performance in nearly five years.

GDP growth reached 4.3 percent in the second quarter following a 5.9 percent increase in the first three months of the year.

Speaking at a press conference, Government Economist Irina Fan noted the city has recorded six consecutive quarters of growth higher than the 10-year quarterly average of 2.8 percent.

Fan said the economic outlook remains positive, citing robust global demand for technology- and AI-related products.

"Nevertheless, external headwinds persist, so geopolitical tensions in the Middle East remain fluid, and the potential to spill over to energy markets as well as global inflation, and the inflation dynamics in major economies, the policy path of major central banks, as well as the trade protectionist measures among advanced economies still required close monitoring," she told reporters.

"Risk associated with the rapid expansion of the global AI investments also required monitoring."

Fan noted varying performances among sectors, with exports rising 28.9 percent in the second quarter and 23.8 percent in the prior three months, whereas growth in private consumption expenditure slowed to 2.8 percent between April and June after a 4.9 percent growth in the first quarter.

On inflation, the government expects consumer prices to rise in the coming months as the earlier surge in international oil prices continued to feed through. But it also expects price pressures in other areas to remain largely contained.

The forecasts for the underlying and headline consumer price inflation remained unchanged at 2.5 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively. 


Edited by Edmond Fong]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 17:54:48 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Hang Seng Index bucks regional gains]]></title><guid>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866175-20260814.htm</guid><link>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866175-20260814.htm</link><description><![CDATA[Most Asian stocks rose on Friday, tracking a record day on Wall Street, as another soft US inflation reading solidified expectations that the Federal Reserve will hold off hiking interest rates.

But shares in Hong Kong bucked the trend, with the benchmark Hang Seng Index falling 279 points, or 1.1 percent, to 25,116 on turnover of HK$254.18 billion. 

The tech index was 84 points, or 1.8 percent, down at 4,707 while the China enterprises index was 85 points, or 1 percent, lower at 8,340. 

On the mainland, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index inched up 0.01 percent to end the day at 3,927.

The Shenzhen Component Index was 64 points, or 0.45 percent, higher at 14,354 while the ChiNext Index gained 40 points, or 1.12 percent, to 3,626.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei advanced 405 points, or 0.59 percent, to 68,713, notching a 4.7 percent weekly gain. The broader Topix climbed 21 points, or 0.51 percent, to 4,197, a record close.

In Seoul, the Kospi ended up 164 points, or 2.42 percent, at 6,977 for its highest close  since July 23, led by gains in chipmakers on AI optimism.

The benchmark ended the week up 11.5 percent, the first weekly gain in eighth weeks and the biggest since early May.

Crude prices jumped almost 2 percent – almost wiping out Thursday's drop – after the United Arab Emirates blamed Iran for attacks on two vessels linked to its state-owned oil company as they passed through the Strait of Hormuz. (Agencies)


Edited by Edmond Fong]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 17:07:41 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Hong Kong stocks open lower]]></title><guid>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866134-20260814.htm</guid><link>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866134-20260814.htm</link><description><![CDATA[Asian stocks mostly rose on Friday, poised for their strongest week in two months as benign inflation data dented expectations of an imminent US rate hike, although faltering talks to end the war in the Middle East are likely to keep risk sentiment in ⁠check.

In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index opened down 177 points, or 0.7 percent, at 25,219.

The China enterprises index was 50 points, or 0.59 percent, lower at 8,376 while the tech index edged down 28 points, or 0.6 percent, to 4,763.

Up north, the Shanghai Composite Index inched up three points, or 0.08 percent, to 3,930. 

The Shenzhen Component Index was 45 points, or 0.32 percent, higher at 14,335 while the ChiNext Index was up 24 points, or 0.67 percent, at 3,610.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei opened up 502 points, or 0.74 percent, at 68,811 and was set for a gain of over 5 percent. The 225 benchmark was 550 points up at one stage before noon.

In Seoul, the Kospi looks set to snap a seven-week decline on Friday, rising to its highest level in three weeks as chipmakers gained on AI optimism after opening up 182 points, or 2.68 percent, at 6,995. However, its opening gains were halved at one stage before lunch to put the benchmark 98 points up.

Brent futures steadied at US$87.03 per barrel after a drop on Thursday but were set for a 4 percent weekly gain, snapping a two-week losing streak, after the United States threatened to ramp up economic pressure on Iran, including extending a naval blockade.

Markets have so far shrugged off the lack of progress in ending the Iran war, instead focusing on the broad AI theme and the global monetary policy outlook.

US inflation reports this week suggested pricing pressure remained under control, lowering the odds of a rate increase from the Federal Reserve next month.

Charu Chanana, chief investment strategist at Saxo, said risk appetite can hold for now because the immediate Fed hike risk has been repriced lower, noting softer oil is also helping.

"But ⁠this is still a headline-driven rally rather than a clean risk-on regime," said Chanana. "Without clarity on the Middle East/Hormuz, ⁠another oil spike could quickly revive inflation ⁠and Fed concerns." (Reuters & Xinhua)



Edited by Edmond Fong]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 11:01:20 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trump announces tariffs of up to 100 pct on drones]]></title><guid>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866115-20260814.htm</guid><link>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866115-20260814.htm</link><description><![CDATA[US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday tariffs of up to 100 percent on imports of unmanned drones and their components, as Washington concluded that the country was "too reliant" on foreign sources of drones.

A proclamation signed by Trump imposes a 100-percent ad valorem tariff on drones of a certain size or with certain capabilities that are particularly sensitive for national security purposes, the White House said, adding that a tariff of 25 percent will be imposed on drones that are smaller in size.

A 15 percent tariff will be imposed on drones and components from the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan, and a 10-percent ad valorem tariff will be imposed on drones from the UK, the White House added.

Trump has made tariffs a central pillar of his foreign and trade policies despite legal setbacks and criticism from some analysts.

Trump said in the proclamation text released by the White House that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had probed the effects of imports of unmanned aircraft systems or drones.

"The Secretary found that import penetration from foreign producers of UAS is substantial and that the United States is too reliant on foreign sources of UAS and UAS components," Trump said.

Lutnick found that drone and drone components from certain foreign entities "pose security and safety risks" and that the domestic US industry does not produce enough to meet security needs, Trump said.

The tariffs will take effect in 21 days, the White House said.

For components of drones that are not particularly sensitive, the tariffs will take effect 180 days after signing, it said.

For products the Pentagon has approved for an exemption from the Federal Communications Commission's "Covered List" within 20 days of signing, the tariffs will take effect 180 days after signing, the White House said.

The Chinese company DJI, founded in 2006, has captured more than two-thirds of the global drone market in recent years, according to several studies.

Last week, China announced restrictions on drone exports to the United States and blacklisted six companies in response to trade sanctions imposed by Washington.

That move came days after the US imposed fresh tariffs on 60 trading partners, including China. (Agencies)



Edited by Cecil Wong]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 06:54:44 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[S&P hits record, US stocks up on inflation data]]></title><guid>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866104-20260814.htm</guid><link>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866104-20260814.htm</link><description><![CDATA[Wall Street stocks advanced on Thursday with the S&P 500 finishing at a fresh record as investors welcomed further signs of easing US inflation while oil prices pulled back.

The Producer Price Index in July was flat on a month-on-month basis, while it rose 4.7 percent from a year ago, down from a 5.5 percent increase in June.

The reading, which followed a benign consumer inflation reading on Wednesday, bolstered expectations that US Federal Reserve officials would not feel obliged to raise borrowing costs quickly.

"A September interest rate hike – as we've been forecasting – is now looking unlikely," said Stephen Brown, an economist at Capital Economics.

Still, market watchers are on guard about the risk of persistent inflation.

The US Treasury Department's auction on Thursday for the 30-year bond drew the highest yield since 2001 at 5.216 percent.

All three major US indices finished higher, with the broad-based S&P 500 up 0.7 percent at 7,798.99, a new record.

Art Hogan of B Riley Wealth Management said the two reports on inflation "seem to be fine" but cautioned against reading too much into the market's current dynamics.

"This has been the slowest week of the summer in terms of overall volumes, so it's hard to put a lot of credibility in any of the moves that we've seen," Hogan said. "We're kind of grinding higher, but not with any enthusiastic volume."

Earlier, Seoul's Kospi jumped 3.6 percent thanks to chipmakers SK Hynix and Samsung as investors returned to AI names.

The South Korean index had tumbled 40 percent by early August since hitting a record high in June. It has since recovered by about 20 percent.

London's stock market was hit as shares in heavyweight mining companies retreated after copper giant Antofagasta downgraded its production outlook.

Oil prices slipped after recent gains amid uncertainty over the prospects for Gulf shipments from the Strait of Hormuz, with both US President Donald Trump and Iran claiming control of the key waterway.

Among individual companies, Dow component Cisco fell 8.4 percent despite reporting better-than-expected results on growth connected to artificial intelligence.

A UBS note said the pull-back in Cisco shares likely reflected concerns about a possible slowdown in profit margins but called any retreat "an attractive buying opportunity."

But Netflix jumped 5.4 percent after Bill Ackman's Pershing Square disclosed a stake in the streaming company.

The S&P 500 rose 0.7 percent, to 7,798.99, the Nasdaq rose 0.8 percent, to 26,803.03, while the Dow rose 0.1 percent, to 53,839.99. 

The S&P 500 is up about 14 percent in 2026, while the Nasdaq has gained about 15 percent. (AFP/AP)



Edited by Robert Kemp]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 05:19:30 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[US producer inflation cools in July]]></title><guid>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866089-20260813.htm</guid><link>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866089-20260813.htm</link><description><![CDATA[US producer inflation cooled in July on a year-on-year basis, government data showed on Thursday, as energy prices dropped from the prior month following an earlier surge due to war in the Middle East.

The Producer Price Index (PPI) jumped 4.7 percent from a year ago, down from a 5.5 percent increase in June, said the Department of Labor.

PPI was flat on a month-on-month basis.

The slowdown came on the back of a fall in energy prices, which dipped 3.1 percent from the previous month.

This was a smaller decline than seen in June, but nonetheless suggests that the energy shock due to the war on Iran was easing somewhat.

A longer term resolution remains elusive, however, adding to concerns that inflation could persist.

Global energy costs have surged since US-Israel strikes targeting Iran from late February prompted Tehran to virtually block off access to the Strait of Hormuz.

The waterway is key to international energy transit. Prices at US gasoline pumps have climbed since, adding pressure to businesses' transportation costs.

In July, more than half of the drop in goods costs was linked to lower gasoline prices, the Labor Department said.

"The indexes for fresh and dry vegetables, diesel fuel, jet fuel, residual fuels, and thermoplastic resins and materials also fell," the report added.


Edited by Aaron Tam]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:16:29 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[CK Hutchison sees profit jump 30-fold in H1]]></title><guid>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866075-20260813.htm</guid><link>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866075-20260813.htm</link><description><![CDATA[CK Hutchison Holdings on Thursday reported an over 30-fold increase in its profit for the first half of the year, driven by substantial gains from its recent asset disposals as well as strong performances in its ports and retail businesses.

The Hong Kong conglomerate said that profit attributable to shareholders between January and June was HK$26.8 billion, compared to the HK$852 million a year ago.

Excluding the gains from the one-off items and disposals of UK telecoms assets, underlying profits rose by seven percent year on year to HK$12.6 billion during the six-month period.

Revenues, meanwhile, came in at HK$255.4 billion, up six percent year on year from the HK$240.7 billion seen a year ago.

Speaking in a statement, the group's chairman, Victor Li, noted that the gains came amid an "exceptionally turbulent and uncertain" global environment, where the geopolitical tension led by the US-Iran war disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and caused volatilities in commodity prices.

Looking ahead, he expects the operation environment in the second half of the year to remain challenging, adding that the group would adopt a cautious approach during the period.

"With demand in certain segments expected to soften, the group’s core businesses will keep a heightened focus on cost and cash flow management in order to respond nimbly to conditions in their markets as they develop," he said.

"The group will also maintain its disciplined capital allocation to support its strong financial and liquidity profile," he added.

The group declared an interim dividend of HK$0.7455 per share, up from the HK$0.7100 per share seen last year.

The company said its liquidity and financial profile was significantly strengthened through the disposals of UK Rails and UK Power Network in the first half of the year.

The group's ports division, meanwhile, reported a four percent rise in sales to HK$24.52 billion, as well as an eight percent rise in storage income largely contributed by Oman and Pakistan.

The group's retail business saw revenue climb nine percent to HK$107.7 billion, lifted by robust performances across most health and beauty segments, as well as the "strong recovery" in its Hong Kong retail operations.

Separately, profit at CK Asset Holdings, the group's other flagship firm that focuses on residential and commercial property, recorded a 37.8 percent annual increase in net profit during the period, reaching HK$8.68 billion.

Underlying profit at the company climbed by about five percent to HK$6.64 billion.

The commercial and residential developer declared an interim dividend of HK$0.41 per share.


Edited by Aaron Tam]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 21:58:06 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Profits more than double as home sales power MTR Corp]]></title><guid>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866062-20260813.htm</guid><link>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866062-20260813.htm</link><description><![CDATA[The MTR Corporation reported on Thursday that its net profit for the first half exceeded HK$15.78 billion, more than double that of a year ago.

The jump came as strong gains from property development offset flat performances at its rail and commercial operations.

Profits from property development rose by more than 120 percent to HK$12.2 billion, mainly thanks to gains from projects at Tai Wai Station and Southside Package 5 in Wong Chuk Hang.

The group said much of the profits from real estate development would be used to invest in new railway projects and asset replacements.

Earnings from recurrent businesses, meanwhile, rose by 1.3 percent to over HK$3.43 billion.

The fair value gain from investment properties was HK$205 million during the six-month period, compared to a loss of HK$1.224 billion in the same period last year.

Rail revenues declined by 4.1 percent to approximately HK$26.23 billion, despite rises in patronage from cross-boundary and high-speed services.

The board declared an interim dividend of 42 Hong Kong cents per share, maintaining the same level as last year.

Chief executive Jeny Yeung noted the company had just set out a five-year plan to transform the company to become a "future-fit, AI and technology-empowered organisation" to ignite long-term success.

"As we carry out one of the largest railway expansions in our history, we are also contending with external challenges such as global economic headwinds, shifting consumer and travel patterns, uncertainties in the retail and property markets, and increased competition both at home and abroad," she said.

"In the second half of the year, we anticipate that our patronage will keep seeing mild increases based on recent trends, while our advertising and property rental businesses may also benefit from the gradual stabilisation of the retail and property markets.

"As always, we will keep a close eye on inflation and interest rate trends as macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions continue to fluctuate."

The group also noted it would expand its recurrent revenue streams, while exercising prudent and proactive financial and cash flow management to counter the challenges.

Looking ahead, it said it would continue discussions with the government to finalise the Northern Link (Part 2) project agreement and move ahead at full steam on the Northern Metropolis main transport development, on top of commencing designs for the Pak Shek Kok Station project.

To fund a series of new railway projects in the city, the MTR said it had raised HK$57.34 billion through bond sales so far this year.




Edited by Tony Sabine]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:08:56 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Hang Seng Index slips despite regional tech optimism]]></title><guid>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866049-20260813.htm</guid><link>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866049-20260813.htm</link><description><![CDATA[Mainland stocks ended lower on Thursday as early gains in co-packaged optics shares lost momentum and failed to offset losses in metal stocks.

In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index ended 43 points, or 0.2 percent, down at 25,396 on turnover of HK$263.71 billion.

The tech index rose 15 points, or 0.3 percent, to 4,792 while the China enterprises index fell 19 points, or 0.2 percent, to 8,426.

Materials shares tumbled 5.4 percent, with China Gold International Resources slumping HK$17.10, or 8.43 percent, to HK$185.70.

Shares of Tencent Holdings fell 4.5 percent to a two-week low after the company reported a record quarterly negative free cash flow while raising its capital expenditure on AI investments.

"Investors are concerned that weak consumption trends may limit ad-load expansion and revenue growth, while AI investments may take ⁠longer to generate commensurate returns," UBS analysts said in a note to clients.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index fell 19 points, or 0.5 percent, to close at 3,926 on turnover of 1.16 trillion yuan.

The Shenzhen Component Index was 125 points, or 0.87 percent, lower at 14,289 on turnover of 1.39 trillion yuan while the ChiNext Index declined 16 points, or 0.45 percent, to 3,586 on turnover of 661.48 billion yuan.

Optical module leader TFC ⁠Optical Communication rose as much as 13 percent after ⁠US-listed CoreWeave and Super Micro Computer posted upbeat forecasts that signalled booming demand for AI computing capacity.

However, the broader 5G Communication ⁠Index, which rose in the  morning session, ended the day roughly flat.

The index was still up nearly 14 percent this month as investors regained confidence in optical communication shares following a recent sell-off.

Mainland memory chip giant CXMT lost 1.2 percent.

Onshore financial shares edged up 0.4 percent after China's central bank said on Wednesday it would maintain an appropriately loose monetary stance and roll out practical, effective measures as needed, but stopped short of signalling explicit cuts to policy rates or banks' reserve-requirement ratio.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei closed 784 points, or 1.16 percent, higher at 68,308 while the Topix hit a record high of 4,176, up 37 points or 0.86 percent, as chip-related stocks tracked US peers higher and a robust earnings outlook for local firms lifted sentiment.

In Seoul, the Kospi ended 234 points, or 3.56 percent, higher at 6,813 to hit its highest level in three ⁠weeks, led by a jump in chipmakers. (Reuters/Xinhua)



Edited by Tony Sabine]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:07:29 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[HK slips as region rises with US rate concerns easing]]></title><guid>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866002-20260813.htm</guid><link>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866002-20260813.htm</link><description><![CDATA[Asian stocks rose on Thursday after US inflation data came in ⁠as expected, dampening expectations of further near-term Federal Reserve rate hikes, while oil held near US$80 a barrel as Washington and Tehran remained deadlocked over efforts to end the Gulf war.

In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index opened down 152 points, or 0.6 percent, at 25,288.

The tech index was 13 points, or 0.29 percent, lower at 4,762 and the China enterprises index was 45 points, or 0.54 percent, down at 8,400.

Across the border, the Shanghai Composite Index opened up 10 points, or 0.27 percent, at 3,957. 

The Shenzhen Component Index was 122 points, or 0.85 percent, up at 14,536 whle the ChiNext Index was 54 points, or 1.52 percent, higher at 3,656.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei opened up 509 points, or 0.75 percent, at 68,033 before doubling its gains at one point before lunch to be 1,064 points, or 1.58 percent, at 68,588.

In Seoul, the Kospi shot up 278 points, or 4.23 percent, to 6,857 at one stage before noon after opening strongly up 194 points, or 2.96 percent, to 6,773. 

The gains came as US consumer prices increased 0.1 percent in July in line with expectations, with the small increase possibly weakening the argument for an interest rate increase from the Fed next month. 

Money markets are predicting a 40 percent chance of a rate hike, down from 54 percent a week ⁠ago, according to CME Group's FedWatch.

With August CPI data due before next month's Federal Open Market ⁠Committee [FOMC] meeting and crude oil ⁠futures rising moderately since July, "both the Fed and markets will likely want to assess the data right up until just before the September FOMC," said Den Miki, senior rate strategist at SMBC Nikko ⁠Securities, in a note.

Oil prices eased but remained elevated in Asia. US crude fell ‌0.83 percent to US$82.58 a barrel and Brent fell to US$88.35 per barrel, down 0.71 percent on the day. (Reuters & Xinhua)



Edited by Wendy Wong]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 10:42:03 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[US stocks mostly up on slightly lower inflation data]]></title><guid>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1865967-20260813.htm</guid><link>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1865967-20260813.htm</link><description><![CDATA[Wall Street stocks mostly gained following slightly better US consumer pricing data, but an uptick in US Treasury bond yields suggested lingering unease about inflation.

US consumer inflation slowed to 3.4 percent in July from 3.5 percent the previous month, in line with analyst forecasts.

Analysts said the report likely gives the US Federal Reserve more latitude to hold off on imminent interest rate increases, despite persistent inflation above Fed targets.

Major indices spent most of the day in positive territory, propelled by a rally in semiconductor shares following strong earnings reports from CoreWeave and other artificial intelligence players.

But yields on the 10- and 30-year US Treasury bonds climbed after the federal consumer price index (CPI) report, showing "market participants are still looking for inflation to continue," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare.

O'Hare said US Treasury data showing the July deficit growing to US$432.3 billion, the highest monthly figure since 2021, as a reminder that of lofty bond supply.

US markets on Thursday will digest July data for wholesale inflation, another key input to the Fed outlook.

Still, gains by semiconductors and other companies indicates that "overall you still have a market pretty disposed to upside action," O'Hare said.

While both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rose, the Dow finished the session with a slight loss.

Paris, London and Frankfurt closed marginally lower, pulled down by energy shares.

Trading in London "was defined by caution rather than conviction. Investors remained focused on the ongoing Middle East conflict and the unresolved question of whether the Strait of Hormuz will reopen," said Patrick Munnelly, a strategist at Tickmill Group.

Oil prices stabilised on Wednesday after big swings in recent weeks as US-Iran war tensions ebbed and flowed.

Pakistan's interior minister was visiting Iran to discuss regional security, stability and other developments, as Islamabad tries to mediate a resolution to the conflict.

It comes as the International Energy Agency (IEA) sharply reduced its forecast for global oil demand this year, as supplies remain crimped by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and high prices deter buyers.

Demand is expected to slump by 1.6 million barrels per day compared with its forecast slump of one million in its July report.

"The ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz and elevated fuel prices continue to weigh on oil consumption," the Paris-based IEA said. (AFP)



Edited by Robert Kemp]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:21:29 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[US inflation cools slightly to 3.4pc in July]]></title><guid>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1865943-20260812.htm</guid><link>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1865943-20260812.htm</link><description><![CDATA[US consumer inflation slowed slightly to 3.4 percent in July despite turbulent oil prices due to the Iran war, government data showed, with the figures likely giving the Federal Reserve room to breathe on interest rates.

The consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.1 percent from a month earlier, but fell on a year-on-year basis, according to data released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics on Wednesday.

July's consumer inflation figures were in line with the expectations of economists polled by Dow Jones Newswires and the Wall Street Journal.

US households have been battered by more than five years of elevated prices since the pandemic hit, and the July data is still well above the Federal Reserve's long-term two-percent target.

Still, with last month's inflation data also showing some easing in prices, the latest reading may give the central bank some room to manoeuvre ahead of potential rate hikes.

US President Donald Trump's Republicans are facing a stern test in upcoming midterm elections, with Democrats seeking to wrest control of Congress over his handling of the world's largest economy.

Inflation has surged since Trump launched the war on Iran in late February, with Tehran's retaliatory action virtually blocking the critical Strait of Hormuz through which a fifth of global energy supplies normally transit.

Consumer inflation came in at 2.4 percent in February, before spiking to a three-year high of 4.2 percent in May.

In July, energy prices continued to lead the line in terms of price increases, with gasoline prices up 24.6 percent from a year ago.

Fuel oil, used by households for heating and in various industrial applications, was up 39.1 percent from the year before.

Still, the energy index overall was 1.5 percent lower than a month ago, indicating a downward trajectory for prices of those commodities as talks to end the war continue.

Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 2.5 percent from a year ago. (AFP)



Edited by Raymond Yeung]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 21:40:03 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[HK stocks finish Wednesday lower]]></title><guid>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1865904-20260812.htm</guid><link>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1865904-20260812.htm</link><description><![CDATA[The Hang Seng Index ended lower on Wednesday, finishing 0.83 percent lower at 25,440.

The Hang Seng's China Enterprises and Tech indexes also finished the day lower, closing down nearly one percent.

On the mainland, stocks closed higher, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.32 percent to 3,946 points.

The Shenzhen Component Index closed 1.09 percent higher at 14,414 points. 

In Japan, Tokyo stocks ended higher, supported by buying of some semiconductor-related shares.

The benchmark Nikkei ended up 553 points, or 0.83 percent, from Monday at 67,524.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 38.39 points, or 0.94 percent, higher at 4,139, hitting a record high.

Japanese markets were closed on Tuesday for a public holiday.
   
Investors took a wait-and-see stance during early trading ahead of the release of the US consumer price index for July. 

But the Nikkei gained ground in the afternoon, boosted by chip-related shares, analysts said. (Xinhua)



Edited by Tony Sabine]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:53:32 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[IEA cuts oil demand forecast again amid Hormuz crisis]]></title><guid>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1865897-20260812.htm</guid><link>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1865897-20260812.htm</link><description><![CDATA[Global oil supplies will fall by 4.3 million barrels per day (bpd), or around four percent, this year, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its monthly oil market report on Wednesday. 

It comes as renewed hostilities in the Middle East since July are set to plunge the world deeper into an oil-market deficit.

"With an agreement enabling the reopening of Hormuz and unhindered transit through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait still elusive, we have again lowered supply estimates for the rest of the year," the IEA said.

The 4.3 million bpd supply drop compares with the 3.7 million bpd forecast ⁠in the IEA's July report, and will take total supply to the IEA's lowest forecast yet for this year at 102.02 million bpd. (Reuters)



Edited by Tony Sabine]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:17:39 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[HK, mainland shares retreat at open]]></title><guid>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1865870-20260812.htm</guid><link>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1865870-20260812.htm</link><description><![CDATA[Shares in Hong Kong and on the mainland opened lower on Wednesday as investors awaited a crucial inflation report expected to influence upcoming monetary policy decisions.

The city's benchmark index, the Hang Seng Index, declined by 0.6 percent to open at 25,498 points.

The key tech gauge dropped by 38 points, or 0.8 percent, at the open, with shares of tech giants broadly decreasing.

On the mainland, shares also opened in the red, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down by 0.01 percent to 3,933 points.

The Shenzhen Component Index opened 0.04 percent lower at 14,253 points.  

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, was down 0.2 percent to open at 3,542 points.

The ChiNext Index, together with the Shenzhen Component Index and other indices, reflects the performance of stocks listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

However, the STAR Composite Index, which reflects the performance of stocks on China's sci-tech innovation board, opened 0.3 percent higher at 1,995 points.

The broad declines came as shares in the US also finished lower a day earlier as investors weighed on the global inflation outlook.

All eyes will be on a US consumer price index report for July — scheduled to be released on Wednesday — that could set expectations for the US Federal Reserve meeting in September.

Earlier, the central bank's July meeting saw three board members call for an increase, dissenting from the final decision to hold rates, and investors are betting they will announce one before the end of the year, with some eyeing at least two.

The money markets have priced in a 50-50 chance of an interest rate hike from the Fed meeting next month.

Meanwhile, a back-and-forth between the US and Iran continued to be in focus amid escalating tensions that sent oil prices surging to a one-week high and Wall Street finishing lower on Tuesday. (Agencies)




Edited by Tony Sabine]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 11:13:33 +0800</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Oil prices up, US stocks down, on Mideast doubts]]></title><guid>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1865825-20260812.htm</guid><link>https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1865825-20260812.htm</link><description><![CDATA[Oil prices touched a one-week high on Tuesday and Wall Street finished lower as traders grew more pessimistic about a potential deal to bring stability to the Middle East and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Uncertainty over the global inflation outlook also weighed. Gold prices retreated from a two-month peak ahead of consumer price data due ⁠on Wednesday.

The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed as long as the US does not change its behaviour and accept Iran's conditions to end the war, the newly appointed secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council said on Tuesday.

"Markets are grappling with the prospects of some form of detente, although they're misguided in thinking that any form of resolution is the last chapter of this story," said Ron Albahary, chief investment officer at LNW.

A back-and-forth between the US and Iran has been in focus amid escalating tensions that sent oil prices surging 5 percent on Monday. US President Donald Trump on Monday had responded to Iranian conditions for a deal with his own, calling for Iran to pay compensation for those killed in wars, attacks and protests, potentially complicating efforts to reopen ⁠the crucial waterway.

Brent futures rose US$1.19, or 1.4 percent, to settle at US$88.91 a barrel, as US crude finished up US$1.07, or 1.3 percent, at US$83.20.

"This ⁠is going to be almost a war ⁠of attrition now," said Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG. "You probably can see the (oil) market sitting around the US$75 to US$95 range while we wait to see who blinks first."

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3 percent to 53,791, the S&P 500 lost 0.3 percent to ⁠7,728 and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.6 percent to 26,445.

While Wednesday's US July consumer price report will not capture the most recent rise in energy costs, it could still prove instrumental in setting expectations for September's Federal Reserve meeting, for which money ⁠markets show there is a 50-50 chance of a hike.

"We think the risks are skewed towards a hot print, which would probably drive a rebound in rate expectations and, potentially, renewed worries about stagflation," said Jonas Goltermann, chief markets economist at Capital Economics.

The yield on benchmark US 10-year notes fell 0.35 basis points to 4.695 percent. 

The Nasdaq was down about 2 percent from a record high close touched in early June. Amazon and Alphabet each fell, weighing on the tech-heavy index and the S&P 500.

Overnight, Nvidia said it had teamed up with six major financial institutions, including BlackRock, Apollo and Goldman Sachs to create a set of funding measures worth more than US$500 billion for AI infrastructure.

It did not disclose much more detail, such as financial terms, investment commitments or how the planned US$500 billion might fit into existing funding deals.

"A small part of me was left wondering whether this is how it ⁠felt when subprime mortgages first became a mainstream product – the innovation that eventually helped trigger the GFC," Sycamore added, referring to the global financial crisis.

Intel raised US$20 billion through a share sale, the first offering of its stock since the chipmaker listed in 1971. (Reuters)



Edited by Cecil Wong]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 06:31:54 +0800</pubDate></item></channel></rss>
