〈The Standard, April 19, 2025〉U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's termination "cannot come fast enough," while calling for the U.S. central bank to cut interest rates, the sort of pressure that Powell just a day before had pledged to resist as the Fed grapples with an outlook complicated by Trump's own policies.
Trump, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, reiterated his stance on rate cuts, saying that Powell "should have lowered interest rates, like the (European Central Bank), long ago, but he should certainly lower them now."
〈Hong Kong Business, April 18, 2025〉Prime office rents in Hong Kong continued their downward slide in Q1 2025, falling to $89.90 per square foot per month, according to the latest Asia-Pacific Office Highlights report by Knight Frank.
The citys office vacancy rate also climbed to 13.6%, underscoring persistent oversupply and weak demand.
With landlords under pressure, the market remains heavily tilted in favor of tenants. Companies seeking space — particularly in the legal and financial sectors — are leveraging this environment to negotiate better deals, shorter leases, and higher incentives.
〈Asian Post, April 17, 2025〉The Lands Department has issued six pre-sale consents for residential and non-residential developments in the first quarter of this year.
Of the six, five were for residential projects, totaling 2,749 residential units. Among these, three developments are slated for completion next year. These include a phase in Chai Wan with 592 units, another in Tin Shui Wai with 525 units, and a project in Sha Tin consisting of 240 units. Two other projects, a 748-unit development in Yau Tong and a 644-unit development in Fanling, are expected to be completed in 2027.
〈Hong Kong Business, April 16, 2025〉The retail sector in Hong Kong is facing a slower-than-expected recovery, with persistent economic challenges weighing heavily on consumer spending, according to Knight Frank.
Total retail sales for the first eleven months of 2024 amounted to $344b, marking a 7.1% decline compared to the same period in 2023.
Durable consumer goods bore the brunt, posting an 11.8% drop, whilst discretionary categories such as department stores and jewellery also suffered double-digit declines. The luxury retail segment, in particular, has struggled amidst the tough economic landscape.
〈RTHK News, April 15, 2025〉The global economy is likely to avoid a recession despite the hit to growth from US President Donald Trump's tariff rollout, the head of the International Monetary Fund said on Thursday.
The stop-start US tariff plans have fueled levels of market volatility unseen since the Covid-19 pandemic, and most economists expect the imposition of new import levies will stifle growth and push up inflation, at least in the short term.
Trade disruptions “incur costs”, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told reporters in Washington on Thursday according to prepared remarks, adding that the Fund now expects “notable” markdowns to growth but no recession.
