Hong Kong stocks weakened again on Thursday as the Hang Seng remained under broad selling pressure, with most sectors closing lower. Sentiment was weighed down by a sharp dip in US futures and heavy selling in China-focused investment products, pushing investors into a more defensive stance ahead of key economic releases. The Hang Seng hovered around 26,095, down more than 1%, reflecting persistent pressure through the session. Caution also rose ahead of China's December CPI and PPI data due Friday, as deflation risks continue to linger. The uncertainty has kept traders from taking...
Japanese stocks closed lower on Thursday after the latest data showed real wages fell in November 2025 at the fastest pace since January, mainly due to a drop in one-time bonus payments. Market sentiment was also weighed down as the weakening wages emphasized household challenges amid persistently high price pressures. The Nikkei 225 index fell 1.6%, or 844.72 points, to 51,117.26. This wage data shows that inflation continues to outpace income growth, adding to the complexity for the Bank of Japan, which plans to continue policy normalization and open up room for interest rate hikes this...
Japanese stocks rallied in early trading, driven by a weaker yen and signs of a still-solid US economy. This increased buying interest in export-oriented stocks and sectors sensitive to interest rate fluctuations. The weaker yen makes Japanese exporters' earnings potentially more competitive when converted back into domestic currency. The USD/JPY pair was at 156.89, up from 156.57 at the close of the Tokyo stock market on Thursday. Automotive stocks were the main driver of the rally, as a weaker yen generally benefits vehicle manufacturers. Honda Motor was recorded as having gained around...
Hong Kong shares were little changed in Friday morning deals, hovering around 26,165 after two sessions of declines, as weakness in property and financials was offset by gains in tech and consumer stocks. Traders assessed China's CPI data showing consumer prices flat in 2025, below the official target of around 2%, even as December inflation hit a near 3-year high of 0.8%. Meanwhile, producer prices in the country fell for the 39th straight month, although the pace of decline eased slightly. In the U.S., stock futures were steady ahead of key jobs data, while the Supreme Court prepared to...
The Japanese stock market weakened after rising sharply in recent sessions. This correction occurred as market participants began locking in profits, while investors' attention shifted to election details that are expected to determine the direction of Japanese economic policy. The Nikkei Stock Average fell 0.7% to 53,535.91. This decline was primarily driven by the decline in automotive and electronics stocks, which combined, indicating the greatest pressure came from large-cap stocks. In the automotive sector, Toyota Motor fell 2.1%. Meanwhile, in the electronics group, Olympus fell...