Apr 23, 2025, 11:45 GMT+7
(Reuters) - Hong Kong shares climbed to a near three-week peak on Wednesday, tracking global peers higher, amid optimism over potential de-escalation in Sino-U.S. trade tensions and U.S. President Donald Trump's assurance that he won't fire Federal Reserve chief.
** Mainland Chinese shares also gained in morning trade.
** By midday break, Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng Indexwas up 2.41% at 22,081.42 points, its highest point since April 3.
** The Hang Seng China Enterprises Indexjumped 2.15%, while the Hang Seng Tech Indexsurged 3.11%.
** Market sentiment stabilised "following a more conciliatory tone from President Trump and rising hopes of de-escalation in the U.S.-China trade tensions," analysts at OCBC said in note.
** During a question-and-answer volley with reporters on Tuesday, Trump expressed optimism that a trade deal with China could "substantially" cut tariffs.
** U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that he believes there will be a de-escalation in U.S.-China trade tensions, but negotiations with Beijing have not yet started and would be a "slog."
** Trump also backed off from threats to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell after days of intensifying criticisms of the central bank chief for not cutting interest rates.
** However, in onshore markets, gains in A shares were rather muted as investors remained wary of fast-changing tariff developments and huge uncertainty around the prospects of bilateral trade relations with the United States.
** At the midday break, the Shanghai Composite indexwas up 0.04% at 3,301.01 points, while the blue-chip CSI300 indexwas up 0.22%.
** Chinese exports have held up well, but Commerzbank economists warn the momentum may soon wane.
** "We think that any deal between China and the U.S. that will result in lower tariffs is unlikely to happen any time soon," Commerzbank economists said in a note.
"In the short term, it will be difficult for U.S. companies to find substitutes for Chinese intermediate inputs. However, supply chains will likely adjust to a certain extent over time."
** Across the region, MSCI 's Asia ex-Japan stock index advanced 1.87%, while Japan's Nikkei indexgained 2.10%.

Sumber : Reuters