News

PMI rises to 8-month high on reduced uncertainty but downturn continues

PMI rises to 8-month high on reduced uncertainty but downturn continues

* Markets may be seeing some "relative" bargain buying - analyst (Adds comment, details, updates prices)

Hedge funds are holding their nerve on China's ability to rebound quickly from the coronavirus outbreak rattling global markets, but many are also adding caveats as they try to predict the potential economic fallout.

* SMFG and Mizuho reported a profit increase in Q3 (Adds results of SMFG and Mizuho)

Sterling returns to levels before December election that gave Johnson victory

* Dec retail sales value drops 19.4% y/y, 11th month of decline

A man has been sentenced to death in Iran for spying for the CIA and attempting to pass on information about the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme, Iran's judiciary spokesman said on Tuesday, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

Hong Kong stocks climbed for a second straight session on Tuesday, as measures by China's central bank calmed investors concerned about the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak. ** At the close of trade, the Hang Seng index was up 1.2% at 26,675.98. The Hang Seng China Enterprises index rose 1.6%. ** The sub-index...

Hong Kong's retail sales fell 19.4% in December from a year earlier, weighed down by anti-government demonstrations, now in their eighth month, as protesters roamed through shopping malls and clashed with police over the festive period.