The Nikkei 225 jumped 1.85% to close at 41,820, while the broader Topix Index rose 1.21% to 3,024 on Friday (August 8), with the Topix index hitting a new record high as strong corporate earnings boosted market momentum. SoftBank Group surged more than 10% after returning to profitability in the first quarter, supported in part by gains from its artificial intelligence investments. Sony Group rose more than 3.5%, extending its 4.1% gain in the previous session, after raising its full-year operating profit forecast. Toyota Motor also rose 3.5% despite cutting its profit forecast due to US...
Both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 rose 0.2% on Friday, putting them on track to close the week with strong gains of 3.3%, their best performance since April, and 1.9%, respectively. The weekly rally was driven by upbeat corporate earnings reports and renewed optimism over potential progress in resolving the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Investors also assessed changing global trade dynamics after President Trump's massive retaliatory tariffs took effect on Thursday. Furthermore, expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut have recently strengthened. Among large-cap stocks, Novo Nordisk...
The Hang Seng dipped 223 points or 0.9% to close at 24,859 on Friday, reversing gains from the prior four sessions amid broad-based losses. Sentiment soured ahead of the August 12 deadline for China to reach a lasting tariff deal with the Trump administration. Traders also remained cautious ahead of China's July CPI and PPI data due Saturday, with expectations for a slight drop in consumer prices amid weak demand and continued producer deflation due to lingering trade risks. The tech sector led losses, down around 1.5%, pressured by a nearly 8% plunge in chipmaker SMIC after disappointing...