Hong Kong: Solid growth outlook into 2026 – Standard Chartered

FXStreet Insights Team FXStreet

Standard Chartered’s Senior Economist Tommy Wu raises Hong Kong’s 2026 GDP growth forecast to 3.2% from 2.5%, citing robust Q4 momentum, stronger financial activity and improving consumer sentiment. The bank expects a modest housing market rebound but remains cautiously optimistic due to structural shifts and global risks. HIBOR is seen lower in H1 before gradually rising again by Q4.

Growth upgraded but risks still present

"We raise our 2026 GDP growth forecast to 3.2% (from 2.5%), given the robust growth momentum in Q4."

"We expect the financial industry to capitalise on Hong Kong’s regained impetus, notably in IPO fundraising and Renminbi internationalisation."

"Consumer sentiment is likely to improve further given the ongoing stock market rally."

"We also expect a modest rebound in the housing market."

"However, we are cautiously optimistic."

(This article was created with the help of an Artificial Intelligence tool and reviewed by an editor.)

Author

FXStreet Insights Team

FXStreet

The FXStreet Insights Team is a group of journalists that handpicks selected market observations published by renowned experts. The content includes notes by commercial as well as additional insights by internal and external analysts.

AUD/USD meets support around 0.6900

AUD/USD remains well on the defensive, bouncing off three-month lows near the 0.6900 level ahead of the opening bell in Asia on Friday. The pair has accelerated its weekly downtrend in response to the marked advance in the Greenback and the widespread selling pressure on the risk-linked assets.

USD/JPY sits at weekly top above 158.00 as bullish USD counters intervention risks

USD/JPY is sitting at the top end of its weekly range above 158.00 in the Asian session on Thursday. Despite the softer US PCE data, oil-driven inflation risks keep US bond yields elevated near multi-year highs. Moreover, the US-Iran standoff benefits the safe-haven US Dollar and supports the pair. Broad US Dollar strength counters hawkish BoJ expectations and Japanese intervention risks.

Gold alternates gains with losses below $4,200

Gold trades without a clear direction on Thursday, always below the key $4,200 mark per troy ounce. The yellow metal’s vacillating price action comes amid the marked advance in the US Dollar coupled with steady effervescence in the Middle East conflict.

Near Protocol slides below $5.00 after Near Intents $4M exploit

Near Protocol (NEAR) uptrend has been cut short, as the price slides below $5.00 on Thursday. The correction comes after an exploit on the network’s Near Intents services, which affected deposits and withdrawals across 11 crypto networks. NEAR is currently trading at $4.88, below the daily high of $5.54, while falling momentum indicators suggest that sellers are gaining the upper hand.

Markets are pricing a Fed pause. The jobs data says the hike is still coming

The market has rapidly changed its mind about the Fed. Only a week ago, investors saw an October interest-rate hike as the most likely outcome. However, softer inflation and cautious comments from policymakers have since turned a pause into the dominant scenario.

Markets are pricing a Fed pause. The jobs data says the hike is still coming

The market has rapidly changed its mind about the Federal Reserve (Fed). Only a week ago, investors saw an October interest-rate hike as the most likely outcome. However, softer inflation and cautious comments from policymakers have since turned a pause into the dominant scenario. Yet beneath that dramatic repricing, the US economy is sending a considerably less dovish message.