Hong Kong shares rose 56 points, or 0.2%, to 23,691 during the morning session on Thursday (May 15), marking a second straight day of gains. Traders reacted to Beijing's decision to lift export curbs on rare earths and military-use technology for 28 U.S. entities, effective Wednesday, allowing exporters to apply for licenses for a 90-day period. China also temporarily lifted trade and investment bans on 17 U.S. companies, which it called a potential step to restart bilateral ties. Locally, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said Hong Kong's interest rates may remain low due to ample liquidity,...
Japanese stocks fell after the close on Thursday (5/15), as losses in the Paper & Pulp, Transportation and Communications sectors led shares lower. At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 was down 0.88%. The best performers on the Nikkei 225 were Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd. (TYO:6976), which rose 6.77% or 159.50 points to trade at 2,514.00 at the close. Meanwhile, Aozora Bank, Ltd. (TYO:8304) gained 5.75% or 114.50 points to close at 2,105.50 and Haseko Corp. (TYO:1808) gained 4.77% or 95.50 points to 2,098.50 in late trade. The worst performers on the session were Rakuten Inc (TYO:4755),...
European stocks opened firmly in negative territory as investors digested earnings updates from a number of companies across the continent. The Stoxx Europe 600 and France's CAC 40 were down 0.4%, while the U.K.'s FTSE 100 and Germany's DAX were down 0.5% as of 8:25 a.m. in London. Elsewhere in the currency market, the British pound gained 0.2% after better-than-expected U.K. gross domestic product figures for the first quarter. Shares of German industrial giant Thyssenkrupp plunged 8% shortly after the opening bell Thursday, sending the company to the bottom of the regional Stoxx 600...