Shares and bitcoin skyrocket following Trump's win, as fears over inflation grow; Dow jumps by 1,500.

Nonetheless, apprehensions regarding inflation and increased interest rates surface, prompting a drop in the prices of Treasury bonds and in European equity markets.

On Wednesday, the American stock market, including Elon Musk's company Tesla, banks, and bitcoin, all experienced a surge in value as investors speculated on the potential economic and global implications of Donald Trump's potential return to the White House. The renewable-energy sector and those concerned about increased inflation may, however, be perceived as being on the losing end by the market.

The S&P 500 experienced a 2.5 percent surge, marking its most successful day in almost two years. The Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a dramatic increase of 1,508 points, equivalent to 3.6 percent, and the Nasdaq composite grew by 3 percent. All three indexes surpassed recent record highs.

Historically, the US stock market has shown an upward trend irrespective of the victorious party in the Presidential elections. However, since 1945, the market has seen larger average increases under Democratic leadership.

However, the dominance of Republicans could lead to significant changes in the industries that prosper or fail, hidden beneath the surface. Investors are increasing their stakes based on earlier predictions about the potential consequences of Trump's preference for higher tariffs, reduced tax rates, and less stringent regulations.

"Everyone in the markets is rushing to understand the forthcoming scenarios. However, at present, the market is factoring in a projection of increased growth and inflation," said Peter Esho from Esho Capital.

Naturally, the extent of alterations Trump can implement in his second tenure will probably rely on if his Republican colleagues secure a majority in Congress, a result yet to be confirmed. This uncertainty could potentially allow for reversals in some of the impulsive actions observed on Wednesday.

The C24 conference by IABHK positions Hong Kong as a global leader in marketing by leveraging innovation and cultural collaboration. The conference emphasized Hong Kong's advantages as an international marketing powerhouse, underscoring the city's distinctive blend of Eastern and Western cultures. [This piece has been created by our promotional collaborator.]

The Interactive Advertising Bureau Hong Kong (IABHK) effectively held its C24 conference on the 26th of September, an event that reinforced Hong Kong's position as a top-tier marketing hub globally. The conference, attracting over 1,100 marketing specialists from Asia and Europe, revolved around the theme "Impact AI: The New Marketing Paradigm". This theme illuminated the revolutionary role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field.

The C24 conference serves as a central gathering for innovators and marketers, acting as more than just an event – it's a movement that brings together industry participants and strengthens Hong Kong's status as a worldwide hub for marketing and advertising. As one participant pointed out, this unique conference is not just about showcasing solutions, but also about fostering relationships, with attendees feeling more like long-lost friends catching up than mere conference-goers.

The conference demonstrated IABHK's dedication to establishing Hong Kong as a worldwide center for the fusion of Eastern and Western marketing techniques. This ambition capitalizes on the city's distinct cultural harmony, a variety of skilled individuals, and advanced technological capabilities. The convention embodied this intellectual leadership by presenting AI-based tactics that improve customer interaction and promote business expansion.

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Notable figures in the industry shared their knowledge, providing a preview of the future of marketing. Google's head of innovation for global strategic initiatives, Professor Darren, discussed steering through the generative AI revolution and maintaining sustainability. Vishal Singhvi, in charge of generative AI at Microsoft, and Gurmit Singh, the general manager for APAC & MEA at Quora, delved into how AI will propel innovation, efficiency, and fresh business models in a range of industries.

Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) will not be deterred from entering the European Union due to tariffs, according to industry representatives at CIIE. Producers of EVs in China see their competitive edge in manufacturing and pricing as a means to ensure their products are marketable overseas.

At the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, authorities reported that Chinese firms have the unmatched ability to produce top-notch electric vehicles at the most competitive prices, outperforming their global rivals in terms of development and manufacturing prowess.

"The dominance of Chinese automobile manufacturers in the electric vehicle (EV) production could be replicated in other markets due to their ability to satisfy the worldwide consumer demand," stated Sam Wu, Chief Executive Officer of Ford Motor China, during his speech at the Hongqiao Forum, a segment of the CIIE, on Wednesday. "The Chinese EV sector leads the way, largely due to its early inception and the backing of the government."

A pair of representatives from leading global auto manufacturers have stated that their electric vehicles manufactured in China have no trouble finding buyers in European Union countries, despite facing extra import charges ranging from 17 per cent to 35.3 per cent.

In the previous month, the European Union decided to levy charges on all-electric vehicles manufactured in China after conducting an investigation into subsidy practices. These additional charges are above the regular 10 per cent tariff imposed on all-electric vehicles made in China. These fresh tariffs will remain valid for a period of five years.

World-renowned companies such as Volkswagen and BMW are also impacted by the sanctions. This is due to their vehicles, which are manufactured on the mainland, being assembled in collaboration with partners such as the state-owned SAIC Motor and Brilliance Auto.

Semiconductor companies ASML, AMD, and Qualcomm have reconfirmed their dedication to China at the CIIE trade expo. Alongside around 400 various businesses, they participated in the Intelligent Industry & Information Technology showcase, a segment of the 2024 CIIE trade exhibition in Shanghai.

ASML, a leading global provider of advanced lithography systems for chip production, did not showcase any of its big machines at the exhibit. However, this didn't stop a substantial crowd from gathering at its stall on Wednesday.

Shares in Hong Kong recover from declines following speculation that Beijing will ramp up economic stimulus to offset Trump's measures. Recent figures revealed an impressive growth in China's exports, hitting a 27-month peak in October, a 12.7% increase compared to the same period last year.

On Thursday, the Hang Seng Index saw a 2 per cent rise, reaching 20,953.34, while the Tech Index increased by 2.3 per cent. The CSI 300 Index experienced a 3 per cent growth, nearing a peak not seen in three weeks, and the Shanghai Composite Index also went up, with a 2.6 per cent gain.

Earlier, Chinese shares took a dip, reflecting the 1.8% drop in the Nasdaq Golden Dragon Index in New York, as a response to Trump's election win.

The hotpot franchise Haidilao saw a significant increase of 9.3% to HK$17.92, while the beer producer China Resources Beer also experienced a rise of 8.5% to HK$32. Similarly, athletic apparel manufacturer Li Ning saw a 5.8% boost to HK$17.64, and the Macau-based casino firm Galaxy Entertainment also increased 5.1% to HK$36.35.

Trump triumphed over Democrat Kamala Harris, securing his position as the 47th president of the United States and commencing his second term in the Oval Office. His campaign involved proposals to implement tariffs of up to 60 per cent on Chinese imports. Experts speculated that he might tighten restrictions on US investments in Chinese sectors, a step aimed at safeguarding American manufacturers.

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Donald Trump garners sufficient Electoral College votes to clinch the 2024 US presidential race.

The financial repercussions of increased tariffs won't significantly affect China, considering over 85% of the income of around 700 members of the MSCI China Index is generated within the country itself, according to Tai Hui, the Asia-Pacific head market strategist at JPMorgan Asset Management. He further suggests that Beijing's fiscal and monetary policies might provide some balance.

Standard Chartered's Priority Private focuses on financial objectives and lifestyle experiences. Celebrating its five-year milestone, Priority Private offered its customers and their future generations a unique range of worldwide experiences.

[The material in this piece was created by our promotional collaborator.]

Standard Chartered Hong Kong's Priority Private is enhancing the banking experience. Even though wealth solutions are still their primary service, the bank has been diligently expanding its lifestyle offerings to create unique experiences for its clients and their future generations.

"Being at the forefront of worldwide wealth management for wealthy customers, we consistently pioneer new ideas to enhance the experience, not just for our clients, but also for their future generations," states Eliza Law, the managing director and head of the affluent section and distribution, wealth and retail banking at Standard Chartered Hong Kong.

The bank, having recently marked the fifth year milestone of Priority Private, also launched a "Masters Series". This is a series of special events featuring professionals and specialists discussing a variety of specific subjects, including lifestyle, education, health, wellness, and entrepreneurship.

Two recent activities, each appealing to a different type of clientele, provided uniquely distinct experiences. The first was a wine tasting and food pairing event led by Bernice Liu, a Hong Kong actress who has transitioned into winemaking. She offered her knowledge to the bank's top-tier clients. The second event featured former track cyclist and two-time Olympic medalist Sarah Lee. She recounted her relentless journey towards her Olympic aspirations, a story that motivated many of the bank's customers and their future generations.

The Masters Series is augmented with a Global Golf Series, where clients have the opportunity to participate in tournaments alongside professional golfers in cities such as Singapore, Shanghai, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Kong.

Alibaba Cloud scores a major win as 'China's Instagram' concludes its massive data migration. The widely used lifestyle social network, Xiaohongshu, undertook a year-long process to transfer 500 petabytes of data to China's leading cloud service provider.

The transfer of a 500-petabyte "data lake" – a storage system that holds, manages, and protects vast quantities of both organized and disorganized data – began last November. It took a year and the collaborative efforts of 1,500 employees from Xiaohongshu working with Alibaba teams to finish, as per an announcement from Alibaba Cloud. Alibaba is the owner of the South China Morning Post.

The data lake holds all the unprocessed and essential data that Xiaohongshu has gathered since it began its operations 11 years ago. To give you an idea, one petabyte of data can store approximately 11,000 4K ultra-high-definition films, which would take over two and a half years of continuous viewing to complete – assuming each film is around 90 gigabytes in size and two hours in duration.

This represents a significant victory for Alibaba, as competition intensifies among cloud service providers to improve their data centers in response to the growing need for artificial intelligence services. Alibaba holds the top position in China's cloud provider market with a 36% share in the second quarter, as stated by Canalys. It also leads in the Asia-Pacific region and ranks third globally in terms of revenue.

Xiaohongshu, located in Shanghai, is the biggest lifestyle-oriented social media platform in China, with over 300 million active users each month and has seen quick growth in recent years. The colossal data it produces daily has led to migration issues that Alibaba Cloud described as "inconceivably complex" in its statement released on WeChat.

The most significant victory for the U.S. cryptocurrency sector? Possibly Gary Gensler's probable exit.

President Donald Trump had earlier promised to dismiss the chairman of the SEC at the start of his second term.

The ex-banker from Goldman Sachs has spearheaded an unprecedented regulatory clampdown on the digital asset sector, initiating multiple lawsuits against numerous crypto firms and traders of all sizes. This includes financial giants like Coinbase Global and proprietary trading company DRW Holdings.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) frequently boasts about its victories in legal battles where it has successfully argued that traditional securities laws should be applicable to the emerging digital asset category. It has also managed to impose substantial penalties on some of the most prominent players in the field.

Terraform Labs, a company that issues stablecoin, and its founder, Do Kwon, were slapped with a hefty US$4.5 billion fine by the agency in April. The agency's annual enforcement report for fiscal 2024 has not been made public yet. However, according to a study by the consultancy firm, Cornerstone Research, the agency launched 46 similar cases the previous year, marking a surge of over 50% compared to the year before.

The greatest victory for the US cryptocurrency sector? Possibly Gary Gensler's anticipated exit.

President Donald Trump has earlier committed to dismissing the SEC chairman immediately at the start of his next term.

The ex-Goldman Sachs financier has spearheaded an intense regulatory clampdown on the cryptocurrency sector, initiating numerous lawsuits against both major and minor crypto organizations and traders. This includes financial giants like Coinbase Global and the private trading company, DRW Holdings.

The SEC frequently highlights its triumphs in court where it has managed to secure rulings that support its opinion that longstanding securities laws are applicable to the emerging class of digital assets. It has also imposed significant penalties on some of the most prominent figures in the sector.

Terraform Labs, a company that issues stablecoins, along with its founder Do Kwon, was slapped with a hefty $4.5 billion penalty and forfeiture by the agency in April. The agency's annual report for fiscal 2024 detailing its enforcement actions has yet to be unveiled. However, based on the information provided by consulting firm Cornerstone Research, the agency filed 46 similar cases in the previous year, marking an increase of over 50% from the preceding year.

The most significant victory for the US cryptocurrency sector? Probably Gary Gensler's expected exit

President Donald Trump had earlier promised to dismiss the SEC head immediately upon starting his second term in office.

The ex-Goldman Sachs financier has spearheaded the most rigorous regulatory clampdown on the digital currency sector, initiating numerous legal actions against big and small crypto businesses and traders, such as financial giants Coinbase Global and the private trading company DRW Holdings.

The SEC frequently highlights its triumphs in court where it has been able to secure judgments that support its stance that traditional securities laws are applicable to the emerging digital asset class. It has also successfully imposed hefty penalties on some of the leading figures in the sector.

In April, Terraform Labs, a company that issues stablecoin, and its founder Do Kwon were subjected to a hefty penalty of US$4.5 billion by the agency. The agency's annual report detailing its enforcement actions for the fiscal year of 2024 is yet to be published. However, Cornerstone Research, a consulting firm, reported that the agency launched 46 similar cases the previous year, marking an increase of over 50% from the year before.

The CEO of Bulgari anticipates that the increase in Chinese consumers will drive the expansion of the luxury market as the economy strengthens. The Italian fashion label, part of the LVMH group, is wagering on a revival in the upcoming two years and has plans to establish additional stores on the mainland.

Italian high-end fashion brand Bulgari intends to expand its store presence in mainland China, anticipating that considerable online sales will drive its growth.

"Our presence in China is already quite robust, however, we see a chance to elevate our brand to an even greater status," stated CEO Jean-Christophe Babin during the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.

The manufacturer of timepieces, perfumes, jewelry, and leather products has experienced a decline this year. However, Babin is optimistic that the high-end market could rebound within the next two years as the nation's economy recovers.

"The digital enterprise is holding up significantly better due to its extensive customer base, and it continues to expand," he further stated. The brand, owned by LVMH, has online shops across numerous Chinese platforms, featuring a high-end 'pavilion' on Alibaba Group Holding's Tmall retail platform. The Post is owned by Alibaba.

Bulgari, headquartered in Rome, marked its 140th anniversary this year. The brand made its debut in China with a small 12-square-metre shop in 2004. Now, it boasts over 100 stores across the mainland, spanning 40,000 square metres, and has a workforce of 1,500 employees.

The firm is dedicated to increasing its footprint in mainland China, which stands as one of its crucial markets.

Two hours and nine

Young individuals in China are shifting away from consumerism, choosing instead to seek satisfying experiences.

Honoring Achievement: CIC Exceptional Contractor Accolade 2024

Paying tribute to forward-thinking contractors committed to constructing a resilient city using innovation, eco-friendly methods, and an unwavering adherence to ethical principles.

[The information in this article has been generated by our promotional collaborator.]

The Building Industry Council (BIC) recently gathered top contractors from Hong Kong to honor the recipient of the Exceptional Contractor Award (ECA) during a prestigious event on November 6 at the Island Shangri-La Hotel.

This event, which takes place every three years, celebrates the notable efforts of contractors in various categories including Major Contractor, Contractor, Specialist Contractor, and RMAA Contractor (Repair, Maintenance, Alteration, and Addition). It acknowledges their dedication to safety, creativity, support of young professionals, sustainability, adherence to professional standards, and management of integrity.

During the introductory speech, Ir Prof. Thomas Ho On-sing, the CIC Chairman, energetically kicked off the night by likening the OCA to the "Oscars of the Construction Industry".

Considering the tenacity and commitment demonstrated by contractors in the past few years, Professor Ho praised their capacity to execute intricate projects in difficult circumstances, such as quick-action health and housing services that catered to immediate community requirements.

"The individuals we are recognizing this evening embody the highest standards in areas such as safety culture, corporate creativity, professionalism, and ESG values, among others. We aim for them to keep raising the bar, boosting the significance of the construction sector in Hong Kong's growth," he stated.