European stocks declined on Wednesday, with both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 slipping nearly 0.2%, reversing modest gains from the previous session, with investors continuing to focus on fresh corporate earnings. Hermès fell more than 2% after its results disappointed investors, while L'Oréal dropped 0.8% following second-quarter sales that missed forecasts. HSBC tumbled 4.4% despite reporting revenue growth and announcing a $3 billion share buyback. Adidas sank nearly 8% after posting weaker-than-expected revenue growth and warning that tariffs would raise prices in the US. In contrast,...
Japanese stocks fell after the close on Thursday (5/15), as losses in the Paper & Pulp, Transportation and Communications sectors led shares lower. At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 was down 0.88%. The best performers on the Nikkei 225 were Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd. (TYO:6976), which rose 6.77% or 159.50 points to trade at 2,514.00 at the close. Meanwhile, Aozora Bank, Ltd. (TYO:8304) gained 5.75% or 114.50 points to close at 2,105.50 and Haseko Corp. (TYO:1808) gained 4.77% or 95.50 points to 2,098.50 in late trade. The worst performers on the session were Rakuten Inc (TYO:4755),...
Hong Kong shares rose 56 points, or 0.2%, to 23,691 during the morning session on Thursday (May 15), marking a second straight day of gains. Traders reacted to Beijing's decision to lift export curbs on rare earths and military-use technology for 28 U.S. entities, effective Wednesday, allowing exporters to apply for licenses for a 90-day period. China also temporarily lifted trade and investment bans on 17 U.S. companies, which it called a potential step to restart bilateral ties. Locally, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said Hong Kong's interest rates may remain low due to ample liquidity,...
The Nikkei 225 index fell 1% to around 37,700 while the broader Topix index fell 0.7% to 2,745 on Thursday, with Japanese shares dropping for a second straight session as the recent market rally fueled by the U.S.-China trade deal lost momentum. Analysts noted that while easing global trade tensions offered some relief, the broader outlook for corporate earnings and economic growth remained largely unchanged. Investors were also watching developments in a potential U.S.-Japan trade agreement, with Tokyo aiming to finalize a deal by June. In corporate news, Sony Group tumbled 4.7% after...
Asia-Pacific markets fell Thursday (15/5), after mostly gaining in the previous session on easing U.S.-China trade tensions. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 0.90%, while the Topix lost 0.75%. South Korea's Kospi declined 0.29% while the small-cap Kosdaq slipped 0.37%. Australia's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.24%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped 0.42%, while mainland China's CSI 300 was flat. "While markets have largely priced in peak tariff-related macro stress, we remain wary of a second wave of volatility, this time driven by fiscal policy uncertainty and weakening...
US stocks ended mixed on Wednesday as investors weighed evolving trade policies and recent strength in the tech sector. The S&P 500 added 0.1% after erasing its losses for the year, while the Dow slipped 89 points and the Nasdaq 100 rose 0.7%, boosted by gains in major chipmakers. Nvidia climbed 3% following reports of AI chip shipments to Saudi Arabia, and AMD jumped 4% after unveiling a $6 billion share buyback plan. The broader AI rally fueled a 17% surge in Super Micro Computer, helping lift overall market sentiment. Optimism was further supported by a temporary U.S.-China tariff...