Oil prices rose slightly in trading on Tuesday (January 20) after better-than-expected Chinese economic data boosted demand optimism. Brent crude rose 19 cents (0.3%) to $64.13/barrel, while February WTI which expires today rose 25 cents (0.4%) to $59.69/barrel. The more active March WTI contract also edged higher to around $59.42/barrel. This strengthening was driven by news from China, the world's largest oil importer. The Chinese economy reportedly grew 5.0% through 2025, meeting the government's target. Refinery activity also increased, with refinery throughput rising 4.1% and crude oil...
Japanese stocks weakened this morning as investor sentiment remained fragile. The market was dragged down by renewed concerns after Donald Trump threatened tariffs against European allies, while Japanese government bond (JGB) yields remained volatile, making investors increasingly cautious. The Topix index fell 1.3% to 3,580.19 at 9:12 a.m. Tokyo time. Meanwhile, the Nikkei 225 fell 1.2% to 52,339.27, indicating widespread selling pressure since the opening. According to Kazunori Tatebe, chief strategist at Daiwa Asset Management, cyclical and high-beta stocks are potentially the most...
Hong Kong equities fell 172 points, or 0.7%, to 26,392 in early Tuesday trade, extending losses to a fourth straight session amid a sharp drop in U.S. futures after President Trump threatened to impose new tariffs on European countries opposing his proposal to buy Greenland. Meanwhile, mainland shares slipped after Monday's data showed the economy lost momentum in Q4 2025, growing by 4.5% yoy and marking the slowest pace in three years, reflecting persistently weak domestic demand despite ongoing policy support from Beijing. Still, losses were partly capped after the People's Bank of China...
Japanese stocks opened lower on Tuesday, as the market remained clouded by uncertainty surrounding US-Europe trade relations, which have escalated due to the Greenland issue. Risk-off sentiment has made investors more cautious, especially in sectors sensitive to global trade. The Nikkei Stock Average fell 1.3% to 52,888.66, with the greatest pressure coming from automotive and electronics stocks. These two sectors are typically the quickest to be impacted when the market begins to anticipate export and supply chain disruptions. On the stock market, Toyota Motor fell 2.0%, while Panasonic...
The Japanese stock market weakened after rising sharply in recent sessions. This correction occurred as market participants began locking in profits, while investors' attention shifted to election details that are expected to determine the direction of Japanese economic policy. The Nikkei Stock Average fell 0.7% to 53,535.91. This decline was primarily driven by the decline in automotive and electronics stocks, which combined, indicating the greatest pressure came from large-cap stocks. In the automotive sector, Toyota Motor fell 2.1%. Meanwhile, in the electronics group, Olympus fell...
Hong Kong shares were little changed in Friday morning deals, hovering around 26,165 after two sessions of declines, as weakness in property and financials was offset by gains in tech and consumer stocks. Traders assessed China's CPI data showing consumer prices flat in 2025, below the official target of around 2%, even as December inflation hit a near 3-year high of 0.8%. Meanwhile, producer prices in the country fell for the 39th straight month, although the pace of decline eased slightly. In the U.S., stock futures were steady ahead of key jobs data, while the Supreme Court prepared to...