The US dollar rebounded on Wednesday, climbing against major currencies after President Donald Trump eased tensions over the Federal Reserve and trade with China. The shift offered investors much-needed relief, with market sentiment buoyed by Trump’s decision not to remove Fed Chair Jerome Powell and speculation that trade tariffs on Chinese goods could be reduced.
The greenback had been under pressure, lingering near three-year lows amid uncertainty over Trump’s tariff policies and repeated criticism of the Federal Reserve. However, comments from both Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested a possible thaw in US-China relations and signalled a willingness to engage in deeper economic collaboration.
Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, said: “I have no intention of firing him,” referring to Powell. “I would like to see him be a little more active in terms of his idea to lower interest rates.” The remark came after days of speculation over the Fed’s independence, which had rattled investors and triggered volatility in global markets.
The dollar index rose 0.297% to 99.86 in early Asian trading, before stabilising as cautious optimism returned. The euro slipped 0.86% to $1.132, reversing gains made earlier in the week. Helen Given of Monex USA said the renewed dialogue with China was a key factor: “People are very relieved that there’s potential for discussions between the two countries.”
Bessent reinforced that message in Washington, suggesting any easing of tariffs would not be unilateral and would depend on progress in talks with Beijing. He also voiced strong criticism of the IMF and World Bank but affirmed US support for their roles, distancing the Trump administration from earlier proposals advocating a US withdrawal.
Meanwhile, Trump hinted at further tariffs if no deals were made. “If we don’t have a deal… we’re going to set the tariff,” he said. He also suggested auto tariffs on Canada could increase, despite existing exemptions under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
The markets responded positively. Dow futures jumped 1.9%, S&P 500 rose 2.6%, and Nasdaq gained 3% before the opening bell. Tech stocks surged, with Tesla up 7% after Elon Musk pledged to focus more on the company and less on Washington politics. Apple and Meta also rose sharply despite EU fines.

恒生裁員︱失Staff Plan或釀樓市風險? 按揭業界人士咁睇 (13:05) – 20250515 – 即時財經新聞
轉按或要「抬錢上會」 不少銀行職員在購入物業時會使用Staff Plan,享有按揭高成數及低息優惠。莊錦輝指出,一般情況下,如銀行員工不幸被裁,就要將原按揭轉為普通按揭計劃,或轉按至其他銀行。在重新申請按揭時,銀行會重估現時樓價,並要求申請人提供最新入息證明。他坦言,部分銀行員工原本最高可借至樓價10成,但市面普通按揭上限一般為8成,被裁後重新轉按時,可能要「抬錢上會」。 保留原計劃可能要加息 但莊補充,過往有個別銀行容許被裁職員保留員工按揭計劃,只是加息,但無須再通過入息測試。 恒生:會協助採用職員房屋貸款計劃的同事 恒生今午發表聲明指,若受裁員計劃影響的員工正採用職員房屋貸款計劃,會全力支持同事,以紓緩其即時財務壓力。 市場關注若銀行界出現裁員潮,會否誘發負資產危機。莊錦輝解釋,負資產是指物業的市場價值低於尚未償還的按揭貸款額,即「資不抵債」,故負資產風暴是否重臨,關鍵在於樓價走勢,而非業主是否就業。若被裁銀行職員成功轉按或保留原計劃,供款可持續,無須拋售物業,自然不會對樓市構成壓力。他又指,成功轉按後,按揭貸款額往往會低於重新評估後的樓價,理論上更有助減少負資產宗數。 不過,若大批被裁員工無法繼續供樓,被逼急於出售物業,可能會出現「平賣」情況,惟莊認為,「個別公司裁員不至於會對香港整體樓價造成實質影響。」 宜預留半年供樓儲備 近期本港多個行業相繼傳出結業、裁員消息,引起社會對失業潮的憂慮。莊錦輝若業主能持續供款,即使失業亦不會對按揭安排構成影響。惟若物業斷供三個月以上,便會被銀行收回成為銀主盤。他建議業主預留至少6個月以上的生活費作現金流儲備,以應對突如其來的收入中斷風險。 其他報道 恒生:業務調整 受影響員工佔銀行核心業務員工總數約1% 敏華全年盈利跌10% 末期息削兩成至0.12元 譚仔國際:全年除稅後溢利跌32% 恒指半日跌59點 曾創逾1個月高 平保跌4% 京東跌3% 北水續流入 新濠國際:獨立非執董高來福5月13日離世 吉利首季多賺2.6倍 銷量增48%創新高 滬深三大指數半日向下 滬指失守3400點 證監會:與阿布札比金管局在監督跨境投資管理活動方面加強合作 調查:今年打工仔平均加薪2.2% 按年跌1個百分點 逾七成受訪者憂失業 港元拆息普遍向上 1個月HIBOR終止7連跌 港美息差創紀錄 大摩上調泡泡瑪特目標價 曾升逾3%創上市新高 美國與卡塔爾達成逾2430億美元交易 涉波音飛機和國防採購等 蘋果據報計劃為Vision Pro添加眼動滾屏功能 據報美國在貿易談判中 沒有試圖壓低美元匯率 星巴克將啟動中國業務重組程序 或出售股權 巴西據報考慮發行人民幣計價主權債券 摩通上調對年底美債息預測 因中美關稅戰暫緩 聯儲局Daly:美國經濟依然穩健 決策者可以保持耐心 蘋果據報目標明年下半年 推出首款折疊屏手機 匯控計劃裁減法國約10%員工