Vietnamese crab exporterdouble-skinned crabs
Advertisement
Advertisement
TOPIC

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.
People walk past a real estate agency in Telford Plaza, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong on August 16. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong property

The View | Why a hawkish US Fed won’t derail Hong Kong’s property recovery

Higher interest rates may dampen momentum, but solid demand, improving sentiment and effective policy execution will prove more decisive.

Hong Kong property

Once the world’s most-visited city, Hong Kong now converts hotels to dorm rooms

China economy

Editorial | Global monetary tightening tests China’s 2-speed economy

Banking & finance

What does the rate increase by the US Fed mean for the Chinese yuan?

Analysts weigh whether Beijing is set to push ahead with a rate cut to bolster China’s economy despite the US Fed raising interest rates.

5
Analysts say that China’s central bank may push ahead with rate cuts this year. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong property market gets reprieve on rates, for now

Major banks hold rates steady despite Fed action, but some sellers and buyers are already anticipating increases later, agents say.

Banking & finance

Fed rate hike risks worsening China’s economic divide

The first US interest rate increase in more than three years is unlikely to damp China’s surging tech exports while potentially worsening a squeeze on other manufacturers.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Gold in Hong Kong

Gold rebounds after Fed rate rise as banks back long-term demand outlook

Investment banks say central bank purchases and demand from China and India should support bullion prices.

Gold prices have soared over the past couple of years amid rising geopolitical tensions and concerns over US debt levels. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)

In wake of US rate hikes, Hong Kong dollar may come under pressure: HKMA

HSBC and other major banks keep prime rates unchanged after HKMA raises base rate by a quarter-point in lockstep with Fed.

videocam
5
United States

US Fed raises interest rates for first time in 3 years, irking Trump

US president demands immediate rate cuts as Chair Kevin Warsh warns inflation remains ‘too high’.

11
Hong Kong property

Singapore-led Southeast Asian buyers expand Hong Kong commercial property assets

Southeast Asian capital, led by Singapore, now eclipses mainland Chinese as the city’s leading non-local commercial property investors.

The Center in Central, Hong Kong. Photo: Dickson Lee
United States

Ahead of Fed meeting, Trump says US should have world’s lowest interest rate

Speaking in Ireland, US president insists on lower rates despite rising inflation concerns ahead of midterm polls.

13
US President Donald Trump walks to the first tee at the Amgen Irish Open on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong home prices headed for 15% gain this year: Midland forecast

As the market digests uncertainties, new property launches are accelerating and buyers are returning to the market, executive says.

6
Commodities

Bullish chorus grows: Wall Street backs gold despite US job growth, hawkish Fed

Record buying spree by central banks offsets Fed tightening fears, pushing gold towards US$5,000 by year-end, investment banks forecast.

International Property

Which property markets will be the winners and losers if Fed raises US rates?

Fed chairman’s focus on inflation at meeting last month has heightened expectations of monetary tightening.

Real estate agents’ signs at a sold home and homes for sale in London last month. Photo: EPA
United States

Trump threatens to cut trade with some countries if Fed doesn’t lower rates

The message suggests the US president is running out of patience with the central bank just months after Warsh took over from Powell.

videocam
24
US President Donald Trump speaks with the new Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh on the day of his swearing-in ceremony at the White House in May. Photo: Reuters
Banking & finance

Hong Kong’s Silver Bonds draw record 480,000 bids with higher interest rate

Hong Kong is expected to raise the final issuance to the upper limit of HK$55 billion, as applications from elderly investors have surged.

Global monetary policy

Macroscope | Asia is not on the edge of a new 1997-style financial crisis

While risks to Asia’s financial stability exist, they have nothing to do with the policy and structural weaknesses behind the 1997 crisis.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Hong Kong property

Rate rise expectations mount in Hong Kong following Fed chief’s comments

But property consultancy Knight Frank says likelihood of near-term rise in prime rate by city’s note-issuing banks remains low.

Blocks of high-rise flats in Mid-Levels. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Japan

US Treasury’s Bessent calls on Japan to boost yen through rate increases

A weak yen, which has pushed up import prices and broader inflation, has been blamed in part on the central bank’s slow pace of rate increases.

Hong Kong property

Can Hong Kong expect to see fewer creditor-led commercial property sales?

City’s office and retail property segments have been mired in a multi-year slump that has triggered loan defaults.

United States

Warsh signals US Fed may need to raise rates if above-target inflation lingers

This was the closest he has come to acknowledging interest rate hikes may be needed to ease price pressures.

videocam
6
Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh attends a dinner at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium on Thursday in Wyoming. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong housing rally faces test as property flippers retreat

Secondary home prices are the highest in three years, but July short-term trading of those held for less than a year was half the level seen in March.

5
China Resources Land sold all 180 units offered in its first price-list batch at The Sterling in southwest Kowloon on Saturday, generating nearly HK$1.6 billion. Photo: Facebook/Louis Chan
Banking & finance

Yuan, Hong Kong dollar bonds surge as issuers seek cheaper funding

Issuance of dim sum, panda and wonton bonds accelerates as Beijing promotes the yuan’s global use and deeper cross-border access broadens demand.

Japan

Macroscope | Japan isn’t the only Asian economy giving bond markets a headache

Bond markets are nervous about central banks’ ability to contain inflation as South Korea, Indonesia and the Philippines face similar pressures.

videocam
Hong Kong property

To rent or not to rent? That is the question for Hong Kong homebuyers

Rising residential rents and the looming shadow of interest rate increases have the city’s homebuyers trying to balance out the risks.

12
City One Shatin in Sha Tin recorded only 12 sales transactions in July as owners lowered their asking prices. However, 118 rental transactions were made during the same month. Photo: Jelly Tse
Gold in Hong Kong

Why Fed moves trump geopolitical risks, China gold buying in analysts’ forecasts

Bullion forecasts have softened, LBMA’s survey shows, despite the World Gold Council reporting unprecedented demand in second quarter.

The outlook for gold marks a significant retreat from the bullishness seen at the start of the year. Photo: dpa
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong’s commercial property investment growth beats Asian peers

‘Highly active’ market in city tops Singapore and Australia, although base effect, assets in receivership contribute to increase, JLL says.

Banking & finance

Hong Kong raises Silver Bonds coupon rate to 4.25% for latest batch

The city plans to issue up to HK$50 billion of Silver Bonds next month, with the higher rate intended to pre-empt a rise in US interest rates.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement