Japanese stocks closed lower on Thursday after the latest data showed real wages fell in November 2025 at the fastest pace since January, mainly due to a drop in one-time bonus payments. Market sentiment was also weighed down as the weakening wages emphasized household challenges amid persistently high price pressures. The Nikkei 225 index fell 1.6%, or 844.72 points, to 51,117.26. This wage data shows that inflation continues to outpace income growth, adding to the complexity for the Bank of Japan, which plans to continue policy normalization and open up room for interest rate hikes this...
Stocks rallied on Monday, boosted by a surge in Apple shares, as investors anticipated a possible end to the ongoing US government shutdown and a series of major corporate earnings reports and inflation data expected in the coming days. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 515.97 points, or 1.12%, to 46,706.58. The S&P 500 also rose 1.07% to close at 6,735.13, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.37% to close at 22,990.54 Apple led the market rally, rising nearly 4% to a record close, after receiving a buy from hold recommendation upgrade at Loop Capital. The company highlighted...
The STOXX 50 jumped 1.4% to close at a record high of 5,688 on Monday, while the broader STOXX 600 gained 1.1% to 572 amid easing concerns over US banking stability and signs of easing trade tensions between Washington and Beijing after President Trump indicated he would lower tariffs if China resumed purchases of US soybeans. Financial stocks posted significant gains, with BBVA up 3.9%, UniCredit 3%, and Intesa Sanpaolo 2.8%. Conversely, BNP Paribas plunged 7.7% after a US jury ordered it to pay $20.75 million over alleged links to Sudanese atrocities. The defense sector also posted strong...
The Hang Seng surged 612 points, or 2.4%, to close at 25,859 on Monday, recovering sharply from steep losses in the prior session as all sectors advanced. Investor sentiment was lifted by a strong rise in U.S. futures after President Trump indicated he could lower tariffs on China if Beijing also takes steps benefiting the U.S., including resuming soybean purchases. Optimism was further supported by bets that China may roll out fresh stimulus following Q3 GDP growth of 4.8%, the weakest in a year. Chinese policymakers are meeting this week to discuss the latest Five-Year Plan ahead of the...
The Nikkei 225 jumped 3.37% to close at 49,186 while the Topix Index climbed 2.46% to 3,248 on Monday, with the former hitting fresh all-time highs as investors positioned for Japan's leadership vote on Tuesday that will decide the country's next prime minister. Sentiment improved after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party agreed to form a coalition government, paving the way for Sanae Takaichi to become Japan's first female premier. The so-called "Takaichi trade," fueled by expectations of increased fiscal stimulus and loose monetary policy, drove buying in...
European markets opened the week in positive territory, with both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 rising 0.5%, rebounding from sharp losses on Friday. Sentiment improved as concerns over US banking credit eased. Investor confidence was further supported by reports that President Trump sought to de-escalate trade tensions with China. The luxury sector was among the strongest performers, with Kering jumping 4.3% after agreeing to sell its beauty division to L'Oréal (up 0.7%) for €4 billion. The defense sector also advanced, with Rheinmetall up 3.3% and Leonardo gaining 2.9%, both recovering from...