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...
The Hang Seng rose 215 points or 0.8% to finish at 26,911 on Wednesday, increasing for the third consecutive session and reaching a one-month peak amid widespread gains across sectors. Sentiment strengthened after China's central bank pledged to keep an "appropriately loose" monetary stance, ensure ample liquidity, and promote policy transmission. An uptick in U.S. futures also lifted risk appetite as the record-long U.S. government shutdown appeared close to ending. Property shares led the rise, jumping over 3%, following Beijing's plan to expand private sector participation in...
The Hang Seng rose 215 points or 0.8% to finish at 26,911 on Wednesday, increasing for the third consecutive session and reaching a one-month peak amid widespread gains across sectors. Sentiment strengthened after China's central bank pledged to keep an "appropriately loose" monetary stance, ensure ample liquidity, and promote policy transmission. An uptick in U.S. futures also lifted risk appetite as the record-long U.S. government shutdown appeared close to ending. Property shares led the rise, jumping over 3%, following Beijing's plan to expand private sector participation in...
European stocks were higher on Wednesday, with the STOXX 50 up 0.6% and the STOXX 600 rising 0.4%, extending gains from the previous two sessions to reach fresh record highs. Investor sentiment remained supported by optimism over an imminent US government reopening and rising expectations of additional Fed rate cuts, as traders continued to monitor corporate updates. Shares of Infineon Technologies jumped 2.2% after the company forecasts its revenue will return to growth in the 2026 fiscal year. RWE added 3.5% after reporting higher-than-expected profits for the first nine months of the...
Tokyo stocks rebounded on Wednesday, with the Nikkei 225 closing higher as overseas investors scooped up shares of companies with solid earnings such as TDK and Fujikura, helping the market recover from recent weakness. The benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, rose 220.38 points, or 0.43 percent, to finish at 51,063.31. After a period of adjustment earlier this month, investors turned optimistic toward companies reporting strong results late in the earnings season. A weaker yen also buoyed export-oriented issues. In foreign exchange trading, the yen briefly...
Asian stock markets, particularly in Hong Kong, surged on hopes that the United States would soon cut interest rates. This news came after data showed the US labor market weakened last month, increasing the chances of the Federal Reserve (the US central bank) lowering interest rates at its next meeting in December. Interest rate cuts are usually good news for the stock market as they can stimulate economic growth and investment. The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong rose around 1 percent, reaching its highest level in a month. Major stocks such as Shenzhou International Group and China Hongqiao...