The Nikkei 225 slipped 0.11% to close at 39,775, while the broader Topix Index edged up 0.06% to 2,836 on Tuesday, with Japanese markets struggling for direction as investors assessed the implications of the weekend's election. While the ruling coalition lost its majority in the upper house, the result was widely anticipated and had limited market impact. Reassuringly, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to remain in office, easing concerns over political instability or an abrupt resignation. Ishiba reaffirmed his intention to stay on, citing the need to oversee ongoing tariff...
Major European bourses declined on Tuesday, with both the STOXX 50 and the STOXX 600 slipping 0.2%, as uncertainty over tariffs continued to weigh on investor sentiment. The looming August 1st deadline for the US to begin imposing a 30% tariff on EU imports is approaching, and no agreement has been reached so far. Meanwhile, traders remained focused on corporate earnings. Chemicals were among the worst performers after Akzo Noble tumbled more than 3% as the company lowered its core profit outlook for this year. ASML Holding was also down 1.5%, Schneider Electric fell 0.8% and Siemens Energy...
Hong Kong stocks rose modestly on Tuesday, as investors positioned ahead of the Politburo meeting in China that could set the economic tone for the rest of the year, while sentiment remained upbeat following the launch of the world's largest hydropower dam project on the eastern rim of the Tibetan Plateau. The Hang Seng Index gained 135.89 points, or 0.5%, to close at 25,130.03, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI) added 35.40 points, or 0.4%, to 9,075.60. Focus is now on the upcoming Politburo meeting, convened by Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month, which could...