The Nikkei 225 fell 0.85% to 44,551 while the broader Topix dropped 1.37% to 3,095 on Wednesday, extending this week's declines as investors digested mixed economic signals. Business sentiment among large manufacturers improved in Q3 to its highest level since Q4 2024, though US tariff pressures continued to cloud the outlook. Meanwhile, weak readings in retail sales and industrial production highlighted persistent economic headwinds. Sentiment was further dampened by the US government shutdown after lawmakers failed to agree on a temporary funding deal, raising concerns over its duration...
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
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Tuesday with focus on the Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate decision later in the day. The RBA is expected to hold its cash rate steady at 3.6%, according to a Reuters poll, as high inflation has restricted its ability to loosen monetary policy. "The Reserve Bank of Australia's policy meeting on Tuesday is the key event in the Asia-Pacific region," said Shier Lee Lim, lead FX and macro strategist of APAC in Convera. "Any shift in tone or forward guidance could move AUD crosses, especially after recent volatility in building approvals, with August...
US stocks closed higher on Monday as investors tried to stabilize the market following last week's losses driven by cracks in AI-related trading and concerns over new tariffs. The S&P 500 rose 0.2%, the Nasdaq 100 advanced 0.4%, and the Dow Jones added 69 points, supported by gains in tech and AI-focused companies such as Nvidia (+2.1%), AMD (+1.2%), and Micron Technology (+4.2%). Video game company Electronic Arts jumped 4.5% after announcing a $55 billion take-private deal, reflecting broader M&A momentum that has topped $1 trillion this year. Market participants are closely...
European stock markets edged higher on Monday, as investors looked ahead to a trading week due to feature key economic data and a potential U.S. government shutdown. The pan-European Stoxx 600 had climbed by 0.3%, while the Dax in Germany gained 0.2%, the CAC 40 in France rose 0.1%, and the FTSE 100 in the U.K. increased around 0.2%. Shares of Britain's GSK rallied over 2%, boosting the wider health care sector, on news that the drugmaker's CEO Emma Walmsley will step down. Walmsley is due to be replaced by Luke Miels in January. AstraZeneca's stock price also ticked up after the U.K....
Stocks rose on Monday as Wall Street tried to regain its footing after a week in which the artificial intelligence trade lost some steam. The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded 70 points higher, or 0.2%. The S&P 500 climbed 0.4%, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.6%. AI-related stock Nvidia rose after skepticism around the AI trade put pressure on the broader stock market last week. Some traders even questioned whether there was enough energy to power an infrastructure plan between Nvidia and OpenAI. Nvidia was last up more than 2%. Meanwhile, shares of Electronic Arts jumped more...