Asian markets are expected to open mixed. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 is expected to start the day slightly lower, with futures tied to the benchmark at 8,838, compared to the index's last close of 8,873.8. Japan's Nikkei 225 is expected to open higher, with futures in Chicago at 42,795, while those in Osaka last traded at 42,770, compared to the index's last close of 42,649.26. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index were at 25,316, indicating a weaker open compared to the HSI's last close of 25,519.32. (alg) Source: CNBC
The Nikkei 225 Index climbed 0.5% to above 42,800, while the broader Topix Index advanced 0.75% to 3,080 on Friday, rebounding from the prior session's losses as stronger-than-expected GDP data lifted sentiment. Japan's economy expanded 0.3% in the second quarter, accelerating from a 0.1% growth in Q1 which was also the consensus forecast. The upside surprise driven mainly by net exports, which added 0.3 percentage points to growth despite headwinds from US tariffs. Globally, a hotter-than-expected US producer price inflation reading tempered bets on a supersized half-point Federal Reserve...
Hong Kong stocks plunged 332 points (-1.3%) to 25,192 in Friday morning trading, extending their decline into a second session. Selling pressure spread across most sectors, particularly financials, technology, and consumer discretionary, as regional risk appetite weakened. Sentiment was weighed down after Chinese data for July showed industrial output and retail sales below expectations, confirming slowing economic momentum amid persistent external risks, weather disruptions, and weak domestic demand. The surveyed unemployment rate also rose to 5.2%, a four-month high. Nevertheless, the...