Japanese stocks are lower due to a stronger yen and uncertainty over the impact of U.S. tariffs on corporate earnings. Auto, shipping and energy stocks lead declines. Mitsubishi Motors is down 2.1% and Kawasaki Kisen is 2.0% lower. Inpex is down 3.1% after crude oil prices fell overnight. USD/JPY is at 148.58, down from 148.81 as of Monday's Tokyo stock market close. Investors are closely watching any developments related to the leadership election for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan set for Saturday. The Nikkei Stock Average is down 0.1% at 45007.00. Source: Bloomberg.com
The Hang Seng Index fell 93 points, or 0.4%, to close at 25,177 on Monday (August 18th), reversing early gains as property and financial stocks dragged the index down. Sentiment worsened due to rising debt repayment risks in Hong Kong's property sector, with bond maturities expected to surge to nearly 70% next year amid weak sales. US index futures also weakened as President Trump plans to announce tariffs on semiconductor imports in the coming weeks. Caution prevailed ahead of the Fed's Jackson Hole symposium, where Chairman Powell is expected to outline the economic outlook and policy...
European stocks traded steady as investors awaited a meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart. Novo Nordisk A/S advanced on another US approval for its weight-loss drug. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index was little changed at 8:12 a.m. in London. Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk gained as much as 5% after its blockbuster Wegovy received Food and Drug Administration approval to treat a serious form of liver disease. Utilities and healthcare sectors outperformed, while banks and miners were the biggest laggards. Ukrainian President Volodymyr...
Japan's Nikkei share average extended its gains from last week to end at a record high on Monday, as a weaker yen pushed automakers' stocks higher. The Nikkei rose 0.77% to 43,714.31 and the broader Topix rose 0.43% to 3,120.96. Both closed at record levels for the second straight session. Japanese shares rallied this month on renewed optimism over the domestic corporate outlook and economic growth as the impact of U.S. tariffs became clearer. "Domestic equities kept the momentum from last week. There was an expectation that foreign investors would continue buying Japanese stocks," said...
The Nikkei 225 Index rose 0.3% to above 43,500, while the Topix Index gained 0.5% to 3,122 on Monday, with both benchmarks reaching new all-time highs on the back of solid economic and corporate results. Data released Friday showed Japan's economy grew faster than expected in the second quarter, supported mainly by net exports despite pressures from US tariffs. Corporate earnings have also been broadly robust this season, further boosting investor confidence. On the global front, markets are watching the upcoming meeting in Washington between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian...
The Hang Seng Index opened 23 points higher, or 0.09%, at 25,293 on 18th August. The China Enterprises Index rose by 18 points, or 0.2%, to 9,057, while the Technology Index increased by 22 points, or 0.4%, to 5,565. Technology stocks showed mixed results. Tencent gained 0.3%, Alibaba rose 0.1%, while Meituan remained unchanged. Xiaomi Group dropped 0.1%, JD.com surged 1.6%, and Kuaishou fell 0.6%. Financial stocks exhibited varied movements. HSBC Holdings declined 0.4%, AIA Group fell 0.6%, Ping An Insurance rose 0.6%, and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited gained...