The three major stock averages in the US swung around the flatline on Monday, as investors braced for the resumption of economic data releases from major statistical agencies following the end of last week's government shutdown. Key reports including the jobs report and trade data are due this week and could influence the Fed's policy decision next month, at a time when many policymakers are growing more sceptical about the need for additional rate cuts. Markets are currently pricing in about a 43% chance of a quarter-point cut in December. Meanwhile, Nvidia is set to report quarterly...
Japanese stocks edged lower on Monday, with the Nikkei 225 down 0.1% to 50,324 and the broader Topix index down 0.37%. The main pressure came from tourism and retail stocks after geopolitical tensions with China escalated. Beijing warned Japan not to interfere in the Taiwan issue and also urged its citizens to exercise caution when traveling to Japan. A Japanese diplomat is reportedly planning a visit to China to try to calm the situation, but the market remains nervous. Travel-related stocks were the first to suffer from this sentiment. Japan Airlines and ANA Holdings fell 3.8% and 3.1%,...
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%....
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...
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...