Market Update
Middle East Tensions Keep China Investors On Edge
Li Chen
18 Jun, 2025
Hong Kong
Rapidly escalating Middle East tensions weighed on market sentiment in China and Hong Kong trading.
The Hang Seng index fell by more than 1%, the mainland-focused CSI 300 index decreased slightly, and crude oil prices edged higher.
Investors stayed on the sidelines amid rising prospects that the U.S. could join the next wave of Israeli attacks on Iran's nuclear infrastructure.
The Israel-Iran war entered its sixth day after Israel launched a wave of unilateral missile attacks on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, military sites, and key nuclear scientists and military personnel.
Iran threatened to shut down the oil shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz as Israel targeted more than 10 cities and ramped up its assaults on Tehran.
The early departure of the U.S. president from the two-day G7 summit in Canada stoked speculation that the U.S. is preparing to assist Israel in conducting attacks targeting underground nuclear infrastructure.
Chinese military experts warn that Israel's lack of evidence of Iran's advanced nuclear capabilities appears similar to discredited claims made before the Iraq War.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index decreased 1.2% to 23,694.42, and the CSI 300 index edged down 0.1% to 3,867.53.
Electric vehicle and parts makers traded down amid worries of rising macroeconomic uncertainty.
BYD decreased 0.1% to HK $128.90, Li Auto dropped 3.8% to HK $104.50, CATL declined 1.3% to HK $305.80, and Geely Automobile Holdings fell 0.7% to HK $16.24.
Gold, Oil, and Natural Gas Extend Recent Gains; Stocks Face Headwinds
Barry Adams
17 Jun, 2025
New York City
Stocks struggled to advance on Wall Street on Tuesday amid growing geopolitical anxieties and lingering uncertainty about the U.S. trade policy.
The S&P 500 index declined 0.4%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.5%, as investors worried that the recent jump in crude oil prices was likely to stoke inflationary forces.
Crude oil prices jumped 2% to above $73 a barrel, and natural gas prices advanced about 2% and approached $3.85 per MMBTU as shipping companies reoriented away from the Strait of Hormuz.
On Monday, the S&P 500 index advanced 0.9%, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.5% as investors overlooked escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Investors are reassessing the future trajectory of benchmark indexes amid a lack of progress on trade negotiations with key trading partners, a higher-for-longer interest rate narrative, and record-high valuations.
In addition, the passage of the mega-tax bill is less certain amid growing resistance in the U.S. Senate, as the finance committee resists large tax cuts for the wealthy and supports larger cuts for Medicaid.
Commodities, Currencies, Indexes, Yields
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.3% to 6,012.31, the Nasdaq Composite edged down 0.5% to 19,606.48, and the Russell 2000 index declined 0.6% to 2,111.07.
The yield on 2-year Treasury notes edged lower to 3.96%, 10-year Treasury notes decreased to 4.42%, and 30-year Treasury bonds declined to 4.92%.
WTI crude oil increased $1.30 to $73.07 a barrel, and natural gas prices edged higher by $0.05 to $3.80 a thermal unit.
Gold increased by $10.45 to 3,394.54 an ounce, and silver edged up by $0.66 to $36.98.
The dollar index, which weighs the US currency against a basket of foreign currencies, increased by 0.18 to 98.18 and traded at the lowest level since April 2022.
U.S. Stock Movers
Defense stocks extended recent gains amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Lockheed Martin jumped 0.7% to $470.40, Northrop Grumman added 0.7% to $501.01, and L3Harris Technologies Inc. inched up 0.6% to $249.25.
Companies in the oil complex traded higher after crude oil prices rose as the Iran-Israel war extended to its fifth consecutive day.
Exxon Mobil Corp. added 0.8% to $113.40, Chevron Corp. increased 0.9% to $147.30, and Conoco Phillips advanced 1.1% to $95.99.
Gold, Oil, and Natural Gas Extend Recent Gains; Stocks Face Headwinds
Barry Adams
17 Jun, 2025
New York City
Stocks struggled to advance on Wall Street on Tuesday amid growing geopolitical anxieties and lingering uncertainty about the U.S. trade policy.
The S&P 500 index declined 0.4%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.5%, as investors worried that the recent jump in crude oil prices was likely to stoke inflationary forces.
Crude oil prices jumped 2% to above $73 a barrel, and natural gas prices advanced about 2% and approached $3.85 per MMBTU as shipping companies reoriented away from the Strait of Hormuz.
On Monday, the S&P 500 index advanced 0.9%, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.5% as investors overlooked escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Investors are reassessing the future trajectory of benchmark indexes amid a lack of progress on trade negotiations with key trading partners, a higher-for-longer interest rate narrative, and record-high valuations.
In addition, the passage of the mega-tax bill is less certain amid growing resistance in the U.S. Senate, as the finance committee resists large tax cuts for the wealthy and supports larger cuts for Medicaid.
U.S. Stock Movers
Defense stocks extended recent gains amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Lockheed Martin jumped 0.7% to $470.40, Northrop Grumman added 0.7% to $501.01, and L3Harris Technologies Inc. inched up 0.6% to $249.25.
Companies in the oil complex traded higher after crude oil prices rose as the Iran-Israel war extended to its fifth consecutive day.
Exxon Mobil Corp. added 0.8% to $113.40, Chevron Corp. increased 0.9% to $147.30, and Conoco Phillips advanced 1.1% to $95.99.
Europe Movers: Aeroports de Paris, Flughafen Wien, Hercules, Peel Hunt
Inga Muller
17 Jun, 2025
Frankfurt
Flughafen Wien AG traded flat at €54.00 after the operator of Vienna, Malta, and Kosice airports released its traffic results for May 2025.
Total passenger volume rose by 3.7% to 3,884,572 travelers from a year ago, while Vienna Airport reported a 2.0% increase to 2,900,976 passengers.
The number of local passengers at Vienna Airport climbed 3.3% to 2,272,453 travelers, whereas transfer passenger traffic fell to 576,180 travelers, comprising a drop of 9.7% from the previous year.
The number of flight movements in May increased slightly by 0.5% year-on-year to 21,828 takeoffs and landings, and cargo volume totaled 27,945 tons, an increase of 14.7% from the comparable figure in May 2024.
Passenger traffic in May from Vienna Airport to Western Europe fell slightly by 1.0%; to Eastern Europe, it was up 1.5%; to North America, down 4.1%; to Africa, down 7.4%; to destinations in the Middle East, up 1.0%; and to the Far East, up 32.7%.
In the period from January to May, the total number of passengers handled by Vienna Airport increased by 3.2% from the previous year to 11,727,957 passengers, with cargo volume up 10.2% to 128,224 tons and total passenger volume up 5.5% to 15,566,977 travelers in the entire Flughafen Wien Group.
Hercules Plc. gained 2.1% to 48.00 pence after the staffing company for the UK infrastructure and construction sectors released financial results for the first six months of 2025 ending on March 31.
Revenue edged up to £54.6 million from £46.2 million, net profit rose to £1.1 million from £0.9 million, and adjusted earnings per share climbed to 2.11 pence from 1.77 pence a year ago.
The company has announced an unchanged interim dividend of 0.6 pence per share payable on August 22 to shareholders on record on July 18.
“With committed spend between £700 billion and £750 billion for the next 10 years, we are confident in meeting market expectations for the full year,” the company said in a release to investors.
The company’s civil projects division has won £12 million of project contracts since the start of fiscal year 2025.
For the six months, the company reported cash of £9.8 million, compared to £1.7 million a year earlier.
Peel Hunt Ltd. advanced 1.1% to 88.98 pence after the UK investment bank reported results for the fiscal year 2025 ending on March 31.
Revenue edged up to £91.31 million from £85.83 million, net loss narrowed to £2.73 million from £3.20 million, and diluted loss per share shrank to 2.3 pence from a loss of 2.7 pence a year ago.
The company reported net assets of £88.7 million and cash balances of £20.4 million in the year.
Revenue in the execution services and research and distribution segments increased, while investment banking sales were down to £31.5 million from £32.6 million a year earlier.
Aeroports de Paris SA slipped 1.01% to Є108.30 after the airport operator reported traffic figures for May 2025.
The company carried 32,373,902 passengers, an increase of 2.7% from 31,402,406 a year earlier.
At Paris airport, the traffic in May rose 3.3% to 9,394,290 travelers from 9,092,628 a year ago.
In mainland France, traffic in May declined 1.5%; in Europe, it was up 3.5%, and in the other international segment, traffic was up 5.0%.
Passenger count increased in the Schengen area, Africa, North America, Latin America, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and other parts of Europe as well, while in the U.K. and the European Union excluding Schengen, traffic fell 0.5% in the month.
Europe Movers: Flughafen Wien, Hercules
Inga Muller
17 Jun, 2025
Frankfurt
Flughafen Wien AG traded flat at €54.00 after the operator of Vienna, Malta, and Kosice airports released its traffic results for May 2025.
Total passenger volume rose by 3.7% to 3,884,572 travelers from a year ago, while Vienna Airport reported a 2.0% increase to 2,900,976 passengers.
The number of local passengers at Vienna Airport climbed 3.3% to 2,272,453 travelers, whereas transfer passenger traffic fell to 576,180 travelers, comprising a drop of 9.7% from the previous year.
The number of flight movements in May increased slightly by 0.5% year-on-year to 21,828 takeoffs and landings, and cargo volume totaled 27,945 tons, an increase of 14.7% from the comparable figure in May 2024.
Passenger traffic in May from Vienna Airport to Western Europe fell slightly by 1.0%; to Eastern Europe, it was up 1.5%; to North America, down 4.1%; to Africa, down 7.4%; to destinations in the Middle East, up 1.0%; and to the Far East, up 32.7%.
In the period from January to May, the total number of passengers handled by Vienna Airport increased by 3.2% from the previous year to 11,727,957 passengers, with cargo volume up 10.2% to 128,224 tons and total passenger volume up 5.5% to 15,566,977 travelers in the entire Flughafen Wien Group.
Hercules Plc. gained 2.1% to 48.00 pence after the staffing company for the UK infrastructure and construction sectors released financial results for the first six months of 2025 ending on March 31.
Revenue edged up to £54.6 million from £46.2 million, net profit rose to £1.1 million from £0.9 million, and adjusted earnings per share climbed to 2.11 pence from 1.77 pence a year ago.
The company has announced an unchanged interim dividend of 0.6 pence per share payable on August 22 to shareholders on record on July 18.
“With committed spend between £700 billion and £750 billion for the next 10 years, we are confident in meeting market expectations for the full year,” the company said in a release to investors.
The company’s civil projects division has won £12 million of project contracts since the start of fiscal year 2025.
For the six months, the company reported cash of £9.8 million, compared to £1.7 million a year earlier.
European Markets Turned lower Amid Worries of Inflation Rebound
Bridgette Randall
17 Jun, 2025
London
European markets struggled to gain traction on Tuesday in the absence of market-moving news.
Benchmark indexes in Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, and London traded around the flatline, as investors awaited rate decisions from the Bank of England and the U.S. Federal Reserve.
The Bank of Japan held its rates steady at 0.5% and signaled its plans to slow the purchase of government bonds from next year.
The central bank also left its rates at the highest level since 2008, citing escalating tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty stemming from the U.S. trade policy.
Market sentiment remained depressed amid worries of a prolonged war between Israel and Iran, and the U.S. prepared to provide additional military assistance to Israel.
Crude oil and natural gas prices extended recent gains by 2% to five-month highs after Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index decreased by 1.1% to 23,432.43, the CAC-40 index edged lower 0.6% to 7,693.70, and the FTSE 100 index declined 0.4% to 8,840.26.
The yield on 10-year German bonds inched higher to 2.55%, French bonds increased to 3.27%, the UK gilts moved up to 4.57%, and Italian bonds edged higher to 3.52%.
The euro decreased to $1.16; the British pound was lower at $1.36; and the U.S. dollar was lower and traded at 81.25 Swiss cents.
Brent crude increased $0.88 to $74.11 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas was higher by €0.37 to €38.25 per MWh.
European Stock Movers
Defense stocks were among the most actively traded stocks, and escalating tensions in the Middle East compounded ongoing geopolitical worries because of Russia's war in Ukraine.
MTU Aero Engines AG decreased 1.9% to €341.80, BAE Systems plc fell 1% to 1,909.0 pence, Dassault Aviation SA declined 2% to €299.0, and Rheinmetall AG dropped 3.2% to €1,703.0.
Fashion stocks remained under pressure for the second consecutive week amid uncertainty about the U.S. tariffs and slowing demand in China and Japan.
Kering SA decreased 1.8% to €189.50, Hermes International SCA declined 1% to €2,285.0, LVMH fell 1.1% to €462.30, Moncler SpA eased 0.6% to €50.96, and Burberry Group advanced 0.6% to 1,117.50 pence.
European Markets Turned lower Amid Worries of Inflation Rebound
Bridgette Randall
17 Jun, 2025
London
European markets struggled to gain traction on Tuesday in the absence of market-moving news.
Benchmark indexes in Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, and London traded around the flatline, as investors awaited rate decisions from the Bank of England and the U.S. Federal Reserve.
The Bank of Japan held its rates steady at 0.5% and signaled its plans to slow the purchase of government bonds from next year.
The central bank also left its rates at the highest level since 2008, citing escalating tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty stemming from the U.S. trade policy.
Market sentiment remained depressed amid worries of a prolonged war between Israel and Iran, and the U.S. prepared to provide additional military assistance to Israel.
Crude oil and natural gas prices extended recent gains by 2% to five-month highs after Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz.
European Stock Movers
Defense stocks were among the most actively traded stocks, and escalating tensions in the Middle East compounded ongoing geopolitical worries because of Russia's war in Ukraine.
MTU Aero Engines AG decreased 1.9% to €341.80, BAE Systems plc fell 1% to 1,909.0 pence, Dassault Aviation SA declined 2% to €299.0, and Rheinmetall AG dropped 3.2% to €1,703.0.
Fashion stocks remained under pressure for the second consecutive week amid uncertainty about the U.S. tariffs and slowing demand in China and Japan.
Kering SA decreased 1.8% to €189.50, Hermes International SCA declined 1% to €2,285.0, LVMH fell 1.1% to €462.30, Moncler SpA eased 0.6% to €50.96, and Burberry Group advanced 0.6% to 1,117.50 pence.
Europe TUESDAY
Bridgette Randall
17 Jun, 2025
London
European markets struggled to gain traction on Tuesday in the absence of market moving news.
Benchmark indexes in Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, and London traded around the flatline, as investors awaited rate decisions from the Bank of England and the U.S. Federal Reserve.
The Bank of Japan held its rates steady at 0.5% and signaled its plans slow purchase of government bonds from next year.
The central bank also left its rates at the highest level since 2008, citing escalating tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty stemming from the U.S. trade policy.
Market sentiment remained depressed amid worries of a prolonged war between Israel and Iran, and the U.S. prepared to provide military additional assistance to Israel.
Crude oil and natural gas prices extended recent gains by 2% to five-month highs, after Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz.
European Stock Movers
Defense stocks were among the most actively traded stocks, as escalating tensions in the Middle East compound ongoing geopolitical worries because of Russia's war in Ukraine.
MTU Aero Engines AG decreased 1.9% to €341.80, BAE Systems plc fell 1% to 1,909.0 pence, Dassault Aviation SA declined 2% to €299.0, and Rheinmetall AG dropped 3.2% to €1,703.0.
Fashion stocks remained under pressure for the second consecutive week amid uncertainty about the U.S. tariffs and slowing demand in China and Japan.
Kering SA decreased 1.8% to €189.50, Hermes International SCA declined 1% to €2,285.0, LVMH fell 1.1% to €462.30, Moncler SpA eased 0.6% to €50.96, and Burberry Group advanced 0.6% to 1,117.50 pence.
U.S. Movers: Lennar Corp.
Scott Peters
17 Jun, 2025
New York City
Lennar Corp. gained 2.7% to $112.45 after the home builder reported results for the fiscal second quarter of 2025 ending on May 31, citing continued weakness in the market.
Revenue declined to $8.38 billion from $8.76 billion, net earnings edged down to $477.45 million from $954.31 million, and diluted earnings per share fell to $1.81 from $3.45 a year ago.
New orders increased 6% to 22,601 homes, bringing the backlog to 15,538 homes with a value of $6.5 billion.
New home deliveries increased 2% to 20,131 homes in the quarter from 19,690 homes a year earlier, and the average sales price of homes was $389,000, compared to $426,000 in the same quarter last year.
In the second quarter, the company repurchased 4.7 million shares of its stock for $517 million at an average share price of $109.79.
The home builder guided third-quarter new orders and deliveries to be between 22,000 and 23,000 and the average sales price to be between $380,000 and $385,000.
In comparison, new home deliveries in the third quarter of 2024 were 21,516, new orders were 20,587 homes, and the average sales price of homes delivered was $422,000.
The company also estimated financial services operating earnings to be between $175 million and $180 million in the third quarter, compared to $144 million a year earlier.
U.S. Movers: Lennar Corp.
Scott Peters
17 Jun, 2025
New York City
Lennar Corp. gained 2.7% to $112.45 after the home builder reported results for the fiscal second quarter of 2025 ending on May 31, citing continued weakness in the market.
Revenue declined to $8.38 billion from $8.76 billion, net earnings edged down to $477.45 million from $954.31 million, and diluted earnings per share fell to $1.81 from $3.45 a year ago.
New orders increased 6% to 22,601 homes, bringing the backlog to 15,538 homes with a value of $6.5 billion.
New home deliveries increased 2% to 20,131 homes in the quarter from 19,690 homes a year earlier, and the average sales price of homes was $389,000, compared to $426,000 in the same quarter last year.
In the second quarter, the company repurchased 4.7 million shares of its stock for $517 million at an average share price of $109.79.
The home builder guided third-quarter new orders and deliveries to be between 22,000 and 23,000 and the average sales price to be between $380,000 and $385,000.
In comparison, new home deliveries in the third quarter of 2024 were 21,516, and the average sales price of homes delivered was $422,000.
The company also estimated financial services operating earnings to be between $175 million and $180 million in the third quarter, compared to $144 million a year earlier.
BOJ Holds Rates Steady, U.S.-Japan Trade Talks Stall
Akira Ito
17 Jun, 2025
Tokyo
Japan's stock market indexes advanced, and the Bank of Japan held rates as widely anticipated.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average added 0.4%, and the broader Topix edged up 0.2%, tracking gains in overnight trading in New York.
Market sentiment was cautious after Japan's prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, confirmed that differences remained with the U.S. over tariffs.
Japan's negotiators are now looking for a "package" deal that could pave the way for an agreement, but an additional tariff of 25% remains a sticky point.
Both sides agreed to extend discussions after talks on the sidelines of the G-7 meeting failed to produce an agreement.
Bank of Japan Held Rates Steady
The Bank of Japan held its overnight call rate at 0.5% at the end of its two-day meeting on Tuesday.
In a unanimous decision, the policy committee decided to leave rates unchanged, citing elevated geopolitical tensions and lingering uncertainty rooted in the U.S. trade policy.
Short-term interest rates remained at the highest level since 2008 and signaled its plans to adjust purchases of government bonds starting next April.
The Bank of Japan has been trimming its purchase of Japanese government bonds by 400 billion yen (or $2.8 billion) a quarter till the end of the March quarter, and slow purchases by 200 billion yen after.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average added 0.4% to 38,480.73, and the broader Topix gained 0.2% to 2,782.80.
In the year so far, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average is still down about 2%, but the broader Topix has risen above the flatline and advanced 1%.
Nippon Steel declined 3.3% to ¥2,777.0, and the company is scheduled to finalize its agreement to acquire U.S. Steel for about $14.9 billion.
After the purchase, Nippon Steel will be the largest steel company in the world, allowing it to increase its global competitiveness amid stiff price competition from Chinese steelmakers.
Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel are expected to finalize their "partnership" by June 18.
Shipping companies were in focus amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, and Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz.
Nippon Yusen KK decreased 0.5% to ¥5,123.0, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. fell 1.4% to ¥2,057.50, and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines declined 1.3% to ¥4,927.0.
BOJ Holds Rates Steady, U.S.-Japan Tra
Akira Ito
17 Jun, 2025
Tokyo
Japan's stock market indexes advanced, and the Bank of Japan held rates as widely anticipated.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average added 0.4%, and the broader Topix edged up 0.2%, tracking gains in overnight trading in New York.
Market sentiment was cautious after Japan's prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, confirmed that differences remained with the U.S. over tariffs.
Japan's negotiators are now looking for a "package" deal that could pave the way for an agreement, but an additional tariff of 25% remains a sticky point.
Both sides agreed to extend discussions after talks on the sidelines of the G-7 meeting failed to produce an agreement.
Bank of Japan Held Rates Steady
The Bank of Japan held its overnight call rate at 0.5% at the end of its two-day meeting on Tuesday.
In a unanimous decision, the policy committee decided to leave rates unchanged, citing elevated geopolitical tensions and lingering uncertainty rooted in the U.S. trade policy.
Short-term interest rates remained at the highest level since 2008 and signaled its plans to adjust purchases of government bonds starting next April.
The Bank of Japan has been trimming its purchase of Japanese government bonds by 400 billion yen (or $2.8 billion) a quarter, but now the central bank plans to trim purchases by 200 billion yen.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average added 0.4% to 38,480.73, and the broader Topix gained 0.2% to 2,782.80.
In the year so far, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average is still down about 2%, but the broader Topix has risen above the flatline and advanced 1%.
Nippon Steel declined 3.3% to ¥2,777.0, and the company is scheduled to finalize its agreement to acquire U.S. Steel for about $14.9 billion.
After the purchase, Nippon Steel will be the largest steel company in the world, allowing it to increase its global competitiveness amid stiff price competition from Chinese steelmakers.
Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel are expected to finalize their "partnership" by June 18.
Shipping companies were in focus amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, and Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz.
Nippon Yusen KK decreased 0.5% to ¥5,123.0, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. fell 1.4% to ¥2,057.50, and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines declined 1.3% to ¥4,927.0.
China Stocks Struggle Amid Rising Risk of Rebound In Global Inflation
Li Chen
17 Jun, 2025
Hong Kong
Investors remained guarded in trading in China amid elevated tensions in the Middle East and a lack of visible progress in tariff talks.
The Hang Seng index decreased 0.3%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index fell 0.2% as investors grappled with mounting inflationary pressures driven by rising crude oil prices.
Investors avoided large bets as Iran responded with a barrage of missile attacks to the unilateral strikes by Israel.
The two Middle Eastern nations exchanged aerial attacks for the fifth consecutive day, as global crude oil and natural gas supply chains face disruptions.
Market sentiment was cautious after China reported a mixed batch of economic data on Monday.
Retail sales surpassed expectations, but the residential property market showed no signs of improvement for the fourth year in a row.
Despite the pause in sky-high tariffs, the uncertainty linked to the U.S. trade policy has weighed on the market sentiment.
The U.S. export-linked businesses are struggling to adjust to the sudden demand drop and the subsequent surge after the U.S. paused extreme tariffs until August 12.
At least 28 million jobs are at risk if the U.S. and China fail to agree on details of the trade framework that was announced after a two-day meeting in London, UK, last week.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index declined 0.3% to 24,028.27, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index dropped 0.2% to 3,867.83.
Residential property developers were among the most actively traded stocks.
China Vanke dropped 0.6% to HK $5.06, Longfor Group Holdings decreased 0.1% to HK $9.94, Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. rose 0.4% to HK $87.55, and Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd. fell 0.4% to HK $26.80.
Li Auto Inc. declined 1.6% to HK $109.40, BYD dropped 0.5% to HK $129.10, and Xiaomi Corp. fell 0.4% to HK $53.90.
China Stocks Struggle Amid Rising Risk of Rebound In Global Inflation
Li Chen
17 Jun, 2025
Hong Kong
Investors remained guarded in trading in China amid elevated tensions in the Middle East and a lack of visible progress in tariff talks.
The Hang Seng index decreased 0.3%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index fell 0.2% as investors grappled with mounting inflationary pressures driven by rising crude oil prices.
Investors avoided large bets as Iran responded with a barrage of missile attacks to the unilateral strikes by Israel.
The two Middle Eastern nations exchanged aerial attacks for the fifth consecutive day, as global crude oil and natural gas supply chains face disruptions.
Market sentiment was cautious after China reported a mixed batch of economic data on Monday.
Retail sales surpassed expectations, but the residential property market showed no signs of improvement for the fourth year in a row.
Despite the pause in sky-high tariffs, the uncertainty linked to the U.S. trade policy has weighed on the market sentiment.
The U.S. export-linked businesses are struggling to adjust to the sudden demand drop and the subsequent surge after the U.S. paused extreme tariffs until August 12.
At least 28 million jobs are at risk if the U.S. and China fail to agree on details of the trade framework that was announced after a two-day meeting in London, UK, last week.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index declined 0.3% to 24,028.27, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index dropped 0.2% to 3,867.83.
Residential property developers were among the most actively traded stocks.
China Vanke dropped 0.6% to HK $5.06, Longfor Group Holdings decreased 0.1% to HK $9.94, Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. rose 0.4% to HK $87.55, and Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd. fell 0.4% to HK $26.80.
Li Auto Inc. declined 1.6% to HK $109.40, BYD dropped 0.5% to HK $129.10, and Xiaomi Corp. fell 0.4% to HK $53.90.