The Nasdaq fell on Monday, while the benchmark S&P 500 bounced off a two-month low and eked out a slight gain as U.S. Treasury yields stayed elevated with investors dialing back expectations on the pace of rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. Recent economic data have indicated a resilient economy with nagging price pressures, which has pressured equities. Comments from Fed officials have pushed bond yields higher. The S&P 500 had weekly losses in four of the last five weeks. Promised tariffs from President-elect Donald Trump have also fueled worries about inflation. Treasury...
The Nikkei 225 Index fell 1.3% to around 38,700, while the broader Topix Index fell 0.6% to 2,698 on Tuesday, extending last week's downtrend as Japanese markets reopened after a long holiday weekend. The declines were in line with global markets, as stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs data dampened speculation of further interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Investors also took a cautious stance amid growing speculation that the Bank of Japan will raise its inflation forecast at its policy meeting this month, potentially signaling further rate hikes. Technology stocks led the declines,...
Hong Kong shares rose 107 points, or 0.6%, to 18,986 on Tuesday morning, marking their first gain in seven sessions amid broad sector gains. The market rebounded from a near four-month low after December trade data showed China's exports expanded and imports hit a 27-month high. Traders also cheered Beijing's decision to allow domestic companies to raise more funds from overseas. China has also signaled it will boost consumption, expand imports and attract foreign investment this year. Adding to the bullish momentum was a modest rise in U.S. stock futures after a mixed session on Wall...