Market Update
Indexes In Shanghai and Hong Kong Advanced In January Overlooking Trade and Geopolitical Tensions
Li Chen
30 Jan, 2026
Hong Kong
Stock indexes in China and Hong Kong traded down as investors locked in profits ahead of a flood of earnings reports next week.
The Hang Seng Index decreased 1.6%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index declined 1% amid elevated geopolitical tensions and the possible rise in trade frictions with the U.S.
The Hang Seng Index halted a seven-day rally, and the index gained about 7.4% in January, its best monthly rise since February 2025, when it rose 13%.
In January, the benchmark index in Shanghai increased 3.5%, and the broader CSI 300 Index advanced 1.6%.
In overnight trading in New York, the S&P 500 index decreased 0.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.7% after investors reacted to Microsoft's earnings and the Fed's interest rate decisions.
Markets in Asia traded mixed ahead of the ramp-up in earnings next week, and the U.S. president said he will announce his selection for the next Federal Reserve chair on Friday.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index dropped 1.6% to 27,509.91, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index decreased 1% to 4,705.81.
Zijin Mining Group dropped 8% to HK $42.0, and Zijin Gold International plunged 10% to HK $219.20 after gold prices swung 8% in overnight intraday trading in New York.
New World Development rose 3.4% to HK $11.54 after the company confirmed that potential investors approached its parent company, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises.
Fed Sounds Confident About Economy, Flight to Metals Accelerates; Microsoft, IBM, and Meta In Focus
Barry Adams
29 Jan, 2026
New York City
Stocks on Wall Street advanced on Thursday as investors reviewed the latest earnings reports and the Fed's rate decisions.
The S&P 500 index inched up 0.1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.2% amid elevated geopolitical risks and trade friction.
In Wednesday's session, the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.2%, driven by another run-up in Micron Technology, Nvidia, and other leading semiconductor designers.
The widely followed benchmark index crossed 7,000 for the first time in intraday trading on Wednesday, after the Federal Reserve held steady its key lending rate range between 3.5% and 3.75%, as expected.
The central bank signaled that the U.S. economy is holding up and rates "are sufficiently restrictive" in post-decision comments while talking to reporters.
The U.S. Federal Reserve lowered rates three times in 2025, and traders are anticipating at least two additional rate cuts totaling 50 basis points in 2026.
Oil explorers advanced on reports that the U.S. is preparing to conduct additional air strikes in Iran, which could disrupt global crude oil flows.
The U.S. president said that the U.S. naval forces in the region are ready to "act with speed and violence, if necessary," adding to fears that Iran's retaliation could disrupt oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, responsible for roughly one-third of the global supply.
Gold jumped 2% to $5,525.19 an ounce, and silver advanced 1.9% to $118.79 amid a surge in buying after the U.S. Federal Reserve held the benchmark interest rate range steady.
U.S. Movers
Microsoft Corp. dropped 7% to $448.67 after the software company reported higher-than-expected earnings in its latest quarter, but capital expenditures were ahead of expectations.
Meta Platforms soared 7.4% to $724.97, and the parent company of Facebook reported better-than-expected revenues and earnings in the fourth quarter.
Revenue increased to $59.9 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $8.88 per share, and the company forecasted first-quarter sales to range between $53.5 billion and $56.5 billion.
Southwest Airlines jumped 5.6% to $43.16 after the company estimated a higher-than-estimated adjusted profit of $4.0 per share in 2026.
Tesla Inc. rose 3% to $443.20 despite the electric vehicle maker reporting mixed results in the fourth quarter.
Tesla reported its first annual sales decline, driven by a fall in vehicle sales in three of the last four quarters.
IBM rose 9.1% to $320.50, and the legacy tech major's quarterly results surpassed market expectations.
The company reported adjusted earnings of $4.32 per share on revenue of $19.3 billion.
Fed Sounds Confident About Economy, Flight to Metals Accelerates; Microsoft, IBM, and Meta In Focus
Barry Adams
29 Jan, 2026
New York City
Stocks on Wall Street advanced on Thursday as investors reviewed the latest earnings reports and the Fed's rate decisions.
The S&P 500 index inched up 0.1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.2% amid elevated geopolitical risks and trade friction.
In Wednesday's session, the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.2%, driven by another run-up in Micron Technology, Nvidia, and other leading semiconductor designers.
The widely followed benchmark index crossed 7,000 for the first time in intraday trading on Wednesday, after the Federal Reserve held steady its key lending rate range between 3.5% and 3.75%, as expected.
The central bank signaled that the U.S. economy is holding up and rates "are sufficiently restrictive" in post-decision comments while talking to reporters.
The U.S. Federal Reserve lowered rates three times in 2025, and traders are anticipating at least two additional rate cuts totaling 50 basis points in 2026.
Oil explorers advanced on reports that the U.S. is preparing to conduct additional air strikes in Iran, which could disrupt global crude oil flows.
The U.S. president said that the U.S. naval forces in the region are ready to "act with speed and violence, if necessary," adding to fears that Iran's retaliation could disrupt oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, responsible for roughly one-third of the global supply.
Gold jumped 2% to $5,525.19 an ounce, and silver advanced 1.9% to $118.79 amid a surge in buying after the U.S. Federal Reserve held the benchmark interest rate range steady.
U.S. Movers
Microsoft Corp. dropped 7% to $448.67 after the software company reported higher-than-expected earnings in its latest quarter, but capital expenditures were ahead of expectations.
Meta Platforms soared 7.4% to $724.97, and the parent company of Facebook reported better-than-expected revenues and earnings in the fourth quarter.
Revenue increased to $59.9 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $8.88 per share, and the company forecasted first-quarter sales to range between $53.5 billion and $56.5 billion.
Southwest Airlines jumped 5.6% to $43.16 after the company estimated a higher-than-estimated adjusted profit of $4.0 per share in 2026.
Tesla Inc. rose 3% to $443.20 despite the electric vehicle maker reporting mixed results in the fourth quarter.
Tesla reported its first annual sales decline, driven by a fall in vehicle sales in three of the last four quarters.
IBM rose 9.1% to $320.50, and the legacy tech major's quarterly results surpassed market expectations.
The company reported adjusted earnings of $4.32 per share on revenue of $19.3 billion.
Steady International Flows Power Seven-Day Rally In China Stocks
Li Chen
29 Jan, 2026
Hong Kong
Stocks in mainland China and Hong Kong advanced amid earnings optimism and sustained flows to emerging markets.
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.5%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index jumped nearly 1% as the Sell America trade continued to direct funds to emerging economies of Asia and Europe.
Oil explorers advanced on reports that the U.S. is preparing to conduct additional air strikes in Iran, which could disrupt global crude oil flows.
The U.S. president said that the U.S. naval forces in the region are ready to "act with speed and violence, if necessary," adding to fears that Iran's retaliation could disrupt oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, responsible for roughly one third of global supply.
Gold jumped 3% to $5,585 an ounce, and silver advanced 2.5% to $119.50 amid a surge in buying after the U.S. Federal Reserve held the benchmark interest rate range between 3.5% and 3.75%.
The central bank signaled that the U.S. economy is holding up and rates "are sufficiently restrictive" in post-decision comments while talking to reporters.
The U.S. Federal Reserve lowered rates three times in 2025, and traders are anticipating at least two additional rate cuts totaling 50 basis points in 2026.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.5% to 27,963.29, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index advanced 0.9% to 4,762.26.
Zijin Gold International decreased 2.6% to HK $242.60, Zijin Mining Group advanced 2.6% to HK $45.82, CNOOC Ltd. gained 2.7% to HK $25.32, and PetroChina increased 2.6% to HK $9.50.
Longfor Group Holdings jumped 4.4% to HK $10.32, China Vanke Company soared 7.3% to HK $4.01, and China Resources Land increased 3.8% to HK $30.94.
Steady International Flows Power Seven-Day Rally In China S
Li Chen
29 Jan, 2026
Hong Kong
Stocks in mainland China and Hong Kong advanced amid earnings optimism and sustained flows to emerging markets.
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.5%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index jumped nearly 1% as the Sell America trade continued to direct funds to emerging economies of Asia and Europe.
Oil explorers advanced on reports that the U.S. is preparing to conduct additional air strikes in Iran, which could disrupt global crude oil flows.
The U.S. president said that the U.S. naval forces in the region are ready to "act with speed and violence, if necessary," adding to fears that Iran's retaliation could disrupt oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, responsible for roughly one third of global supply.
Gold jumped 3% to $5,585 an ounce, and silver advanced 2.5% to $119.50 amid a surge in buying after the U.S. Federal Reserve held the benchmark interest rate range between 3.5% and 3.75%.
The central bank signaled that the U.S. economy is holding up and rates "are sufficiently restrictive" in post-decision comments while talking to reporters.
The U.S. Federal Reserve lowered rates three times in 2025, and traders are anticipating at least two additional rate cuts totaling 50 basis points in 2026.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.5% to 27,963.29, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index advanced 0.9% to 4,762.26.
Zijin Gold International decreased 2.6% to HK $242.60, Zijin Mining Group advanced 2.6% to HK $45.82, CNOOC Ltd. gained 2.7% to HK $25.32, and PetroChina increased 2.6% to HK $9.50.
Longfor Group Holdings jumped 4.4% to HK $10.32, China Vanke Company soared 7.3% to HK $4.01, and China Resources Land increased 3.8% to HK $30.94.