What is the Consumer Price Index (CPI)?

What is the Consumer Price Index(CPI)? The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the change in prices paid by consumers for a basket of goods and services. It is one of the most widely followed economic indicators, and it is used by investors to gauge inflation and make investment decisions. How is the CPI calculated? The CPI is calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS surveys households across the United States to collect data on the prices they pay for goods and services. This data is then used to create a "basket" of goods and services that represents the spending habits of the average American household. The BLS calculates the CPI by comparing the prices in the basket of goods and services in a given month to the prices in the same basket of goods and services in a base year. The base year is usually 2000. How does the CPI affect investing? The CPI is an important indicator of inflation. When the CPI rises, it means that the cost of living is incre...

Asia's Split Session: Tech Retreats as Energy Surges on Geopolitical Tensions

Asia's Split Session: Tech Retreats as Energy Surges on Geopolitical Tensions

Photo by Chi Hung Wong on Unsplash

πŸ“… July 20, 2026 · 03:37 AM EDT  |  Wall Street Daily Briefing

Hong Kong Market Overview

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index surged 2.01% to 25056.51, driven by robust gains in China's domestic healthcare and consumer sectors. This resilience, despite a 3.32% retreat in HK Tech and regional weakness, points to shifting capital flows amplified by geopolitical energy concerns.

The Hang Seng Index closed notably higher at 25056.51 (+2.01%), contrasting broader Asia-Pacific declines. Trading volume reached approximately HKD 185 billion, above its 30-day average of HKD 150 billion, suggesting conviction. Sector breadth favored traditional plays: China Healthcare up 2.84%, China Consumer gaining 2.82%, and HK Financials rising 2.60%. Conversely, the iShares HK Tech index plummeted 3.32%, mirroring global tech re-evaluation. The global macro backdrop, particularly the 2.25% surge in Brent Crude to $90.08 following US-Iran conflict news, diverted capital towards energy and value.

Mainland China: A-Share Pulse & PBOC Watch

Mainland A-shares saw Shanghai Composite advance 0.85% to 3796.28 while Shenzhen dipped 0.71%. The PBOC's recent CNY 250 billion reverse repo appears to signal support for select sectors, but "Ghost GDP" concerns linger regarding real consumer spending translation.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing here constitutes financial advice. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.

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