Japanese stock markets opened lower as escalating tensions with China weighed on retail and tourism-related stocks. The Topix index fell 0.8% to 3,333.98, while the Nikkei weakened 0.9% to 49,942.24 at the start of trading in Tokyo. The decline was triggered by China's warning to students seeking to study in Japan of increased risks to their citizens, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments on Taiwan sparked diplomatic friction. This sentiment immediately hit stocks that rely on tourist arrivals and spending from China. Market analysts said the current Japan-China tensions are...
Asian stock markets opened cautiously at the start of the week, with the MSCI Asia Pacific index rising slightly by 0.2%. The Kospi led the gains, while Japan's Nikkei index fell 0.5% after data showed the Japanese economy contracted again. Japanese retail and tourism stocks also weakened due to escalating tensions with China. US stock futures rose 0.3%, providing some positive sentiment. Investors are now awaiting a slew of US economic data, which returns after a long pause due to the shutdown, including the jobs report. At the same time, risk appetite appears to be weakening as AI stock...
Hong Kong's stock market was under pressure again at the start of the week as investors remained cautious ahead of the release of US September non-farm payrolls (NFP) data on Thursday—the first significant data since the 43-day government shutdown. Uncertainty about the Federal Reserve's interest rate direction dampened risk appetite. The Hang Seng Index fell 0.7%, extending its 1.9% decline from Friday, while Hang Seng Tech fell 0.6%. The biggest pressure came from technology and travel stocks, including Trip.com, which fell 3.9%, Baidu, which fell 2.1%, and WuXi AppTec, which fell 2.7%....