The Nikkei 225 Index traded flat to close around 50,412 on Tuesday, following a two-session winning streak, as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of the government's finalization of the fiscal 2026 draft budget on Friday. The upcoming budget is projected to exceed ¥122 trillion ($781 billion), marking a record high and requiring bond issuance above last year's ¥28.6 trillion. This would come on top of a ¥21.3 trillion stimulus package funded through a supplementary budget for the current fiscal year, aimed at alleviating households from the effects of rising living costs. Notable...
European stocks started June in the red, with both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 falling nearly 0.6%, retreating after gains of around 4% in May. The decline comes amid escalating geopolitical tensions, with China accusing the US of violating their recent trade agreement, following President Trump's accusations last week that China had broken the deal. Also, Trump announced plans to double tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50% from 25%, a move that has drawn criticism from the EU. Meanwhile, traders are bracing for the ECB's monetary decision later this week, with expectations of another rate...
Japan stocks were lower after the close on Monday, as losses in the Paper & Pulp, Transport and Communication sectors led shares lower. At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 declined 1.32%. The best performers of the session on the Nikkei 225 were Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co Ltd (TYO:4506), which rose 5.92% or 45.00 points to trade at 805.00 at the close. Meanwhile, Fujitsu Ltd. (TYO:6702) added 4.31% or 143.00 points to end at 3,461.00 and T&D Holdings, Inc. (TYO:8795) was up 4.10% or 136.00 points to 3,450.00 in late trade. The worst performers of the session were SUMCO Corp....
Hong Kong shares tumbled 507 points, or 2.2% to 22,774 in early trade on the first trading day of June, marking the second straight session of losses and hitting a three-week low. The selloff followed renewed U.S.-China trade tensions after Beijing today accused Washington of "seriously violating" a truce reached in May and vowed "strong and resolute measures" in response. This came after President Trump claimed Friday that China had "totally violated" the agreement, pointing to reduced rare earth exports. Meanwhile, U.S. futures slumped after Trump pledged to double steel tariffs to 50%,...
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed after President Donald Trump told U.S. steelworkers late Friday that he will double tariffs on steel imports to 50%, effective from Wednesday. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 0.89% and the Topix declined 0.65% at the open. South Korea's Kospi added 0.16% while the small-cap Kosdaq traded flat. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was also unchanged at the open. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index declined 1.66%.China, Malaysia and New Zealand markets are closed for the holidays. "We're going to bring it from 25% to 50%, the tariffs on steel into the United States of...
The Nikkei 225 Index dropped 1.3% to below 37,500 while the broader Topix Index lost 0.9% to 2,777 on Monday, declining for the second consecutive session as renewed tariff threats from US President Donald Trump rattled markets. Market jitters were triggered by Trump's announcement of plans to double tariffs on steel imports to 50%, effective June 4. The news weighed heavily on Japanese steelmakers, with JFE Holdings and Kobe Steel dropping 1.8% and 1.0%, respectively. Nippon Steel slipped 0.5%, cushioned somewhat by Trump's praise of its proposed merger with US Steel. Losses extended...