〈The Standard, Aug 2, 2025〉Hong Kong's second-quarter economic growth was estimated to increase 3.1 percent from one year ago, beating market estimates, as exports and private consumption recovered.
However, the government flagged the uncertainties surrounding rate cuts by the United States and the expected fading of exports after the tariff pause in the second half of the year.
Gross domestic product growth for the April-June period outpaced the first quarter's 3 percent rise, reaching above the estimated 2.8 percent.
〈Hong Kong Business, Aug 1, 2025〉Retail sales, provisionally estimated at $30.1b, increased by 0.7% year-on-year in June, according to the Census and Statistics Department.
However, after netting out the effect of price changes, the provisional estimate of total retail sales decreased by 0.3% YoY.
Of the total sales value, online sales accounted for 8.5% at $2.b, increasing by 8.4% YoY.
〈Asian Post, July 31, 2025〉Hong Kong’s Grade A office market recorded a positive net absorption of 44,200 square feet in June, reflecting a modest rebound in tenant demand, according to JLL’s latest Hong Kong Monthly Market Dynamics report.
The increase in take-up was largely driven by financial institutions, which remained active in the leasing market.
According to Alex Barnes, Managing Director of JLL for Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, firms from the FIRBES sectors (finance, insurance, real estate, business, and professional services) accounted for 57.5% of total leasing volume in the first half of the year.
〈Honv Kong Businesd, July 30, 2025〉JLL has announced the launch of a public tender for eight prime retail properties in Hong Kong, all of which are leased long-term to McDonald’s.
The portfolio, valued at approximately $1.2b, offers the option for investors to purchase the assets individually or as a whole. The tender is scheduled to close on 16 September 2025 at noon.
According to JLL, the sole agent managing the sale, the properties are located in high-traffic areas including Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay, Mong Kok, Kennedy Town, Tai Kok Tsui, Yuen Long, Tsuen Wan, and Tsz Wan Shan.
〈RTHK News July 29, 2025〉The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) on Thursday highlighted considerable uncertainty around the extent and pace of future US interest rate cuts, noting that Hong Kong's prevailing interest rate environment may also evolve due to US monetary policy changes, market sentiment and external financial conditions.
The statement followed a decision by the US Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee to maintain its key federal funds rate target range at 4.25 to 4.5 percent, which was announced after a two-day policy meeting.
