Page 2 - Asian Stocks

Asian shares steady in holiday-thinned trade; weak Japan GDP cools rally

Japan on Monday reported its economy grew a miserly 0.1 per cent annualised in the December quarter, far below the 1.6 per cent gain forecast as government spending dragged on activity

Asian shares trading low after Wall Street losses on AI-related worries

Asia shares were trading mostly lower Friday, tracking sharp Wall Street losses on a sell-off of technology-related stocks that investors fear could lose out from artificial intelligence disruptions. U.S. futures were mostly unchanged. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 fell 0.8 per cent to 57,165.13 on Friday, after it passed the 58,000 mark for the first time early Thursday. SoftBank Group, which has a focus on AI, fell 6.8 per cent even as the company reported a quarterly profit Thursday building on its investments in OpenAI, among other gains. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.4 per cent to 5,545.49, after crossing 5,500 on Thursday, driven by gains in technology-related stocks. Samsung Electronics, the Kospi's largest listed company, was up 1.2 per cent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 1.8 per cent to 26,547.97. The Shanghai Composite index was down 0.7 per cent to 4,105.04. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 traded 1.4 per cent lower at 8,919.30. On Thursday, Wall Street saw sharp losses as AI worries ...

Asia shares rise after US jobs data; Japan, South Korea indices hit record

Asia shares were mostly higher Thursday and benchmarks in Japan and South Korea reached new records after Wall Street wobbled following a better-than-expected US job report. US futures edged higher. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 surpassed the 58,000 mark early in the session as trading resumed after a holiday. However, it gave up those gains, edging just 10 points lower to 57,639.84. Japanese shares have rallied following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's landslide victory in a parliamentary election on Sunday, as investors expect more policies to help spur economic growth. South Korea's Kospi breached the 5,500 mark for the first time, driven by gains for technology-related stocks. It was up 3.1 per cent at 5,522.27. Samsung Electronics, South Korea's biggest listed company, rose 6.4 per cent. Chipmaker SK Hynix added 3.3 per cent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 0.9 per cent to 27,028.67. The Shanghai Composite index edged 0.1 per cent higher, to 4,140.59. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 picked u

Asian markets edge higher after weak US retail data weigh on Wall Street

Shares were moderately higher in Asia on Wednesday after US stocks drifted to a mixed finish following a discouraging report on how much money US retailers made during the holidays. US futures edged higher and prices of gold, silver and oil also advanced. Markets were closed in Japan for a holiday. Chinese markets crept higher, with the Hang Seng in Hong Kong up 0.3% at 27,265.52. The Shanghai Composite index added 0.3% to 4,139.56. In South Korea, the Kospi extended its gains, risig to 5,346.34. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 climbed 1.5% to 8,999.20, while Taiwan's Taiex jumped 1.7%. On Tuesday, stocks drifted on Wall Street following a mixed set of profit reports from big US companies. Hopes rose that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates later this year to boost the economy following a discouraging report on US shoppers' appetite for spending. "Fresh data points to softening US consumer momentum since last December as wage growth cools and household credit stress builds," ...

Asian stocks rise for second day as Nikkei sets fresh record, dollar drops

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday that senior ‌US Treasury staff visited China last week "to strengthen channels of ​communication" between Washington and Beijing

Asia rallies as Japan shares surge to record peak post Takaichi's win

Japan's Nikkei surged 4.2 per cent to all-time highs, with investors expecting increased spending and tax cuts

Bitcoin falls, Asian shares slip as Wall Street hit by tech stock losses

US futures and Asian shares traded mostly lower on Friday, tracking Wall Street's losses as technology stocks again dragged on markets. Bitcoin sank to roughly half its record price, giving back all it gained since US President Donald Trump won the White House for his second term. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 was up 0.5 per cent to 54,073.52, recovering from losses earlier this week, with technology-related stocks leading gains. SoftBank Group rose 1.9 per cent, and chipmaker Tokyo Electron rose 3 per cent. Japan will also be holding its general election on Sunday, in which Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expects to win a stronger public mandate for her policies. South Korea's Kospi lost 1.7 per cent to 5,076.69, weighed down by tech shares. Samsung Electronics, the country's biggest listed company, fell 0.9 per cent. Chipmaker SK Hynix was down 0.6 per cent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 1.2 per cent to 26,569.14. The Shanghai Composite index was flat at 4,075.37. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200

Asia stocks unsteady, oil jumps on Gulf tensions, gold makes a comeback

Oil prices climbed after the US shot down an Iranian drone and armed boats approached a US-flagged vessel ‍in a key waterway, while precious metals found a firmer footing ​after a recent rout

Gold, Asian stocks surge as metal markets calm, US factory data lifts

Gold and Asian equities rebounded on Tuesday as trading conditions steadied following sharp swings in metals markets, with sentiment helped by stronger-than-expected US factory data

US futures, Asian shares slip while while oil prices fall more than $2

US futures and Asian shares skidded Monday, and oil prices fell more than USD 2 a barrel. In South Korea, the Kospi tumbled 4.6 per cent to 4,982.54 as worries revived over a potential bubble in the craze for artificial intelligence. Samsung Electronics gave up 3.5 per cent, while chip maker SK Hynix sank 5.6 per cent. The Kospi has been forging records for weeks as major tech companies piggybacked on the AI craze with deals with major players like chip maker Nvidia. In other dealings, the price of gold fell 1 per cent, while silver gained more than 2 per cent after both plunged on Friday, marking a halt to record runs in precious metals markets. Markets appeared jittery as investors studied what President Donald Trump's new nominee to lead the Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, will mean for interest rates. The future for the S&P 500 sank 0.9 per cent while that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.5 per cent. US benchmark crude lost USD 2.80 to USD 62.41 per barrel. Speaking .

Asian stocks choppy, eye best month in 3 yrs as Trump averts govt shutdown

S&P 500 e-mini futures slid 0.4 per cent and Nasdaq e-mini futures were off 0.5 per cent, while precious metals were choppy after a flash crash

Asian shares mixed after Wall St sets record, US dollar slides further

Asian shares were mixed on Wednesday after the S&P 500 ticked to a record, as the US dollar's value slid further. Later Wednesday, the Federal Reserve will announce its next move on interest rates. The expectation is that it will hold its main interest rate steady for now. South Korea's benchmark hit a record, lifted by gains for technology shares like computer chip maker SK Hynix, which climbed 3 per cent. The Kospi was up 1.3 per cent at 5,152.14. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index lost 0.5 per cent to 53,055.58. The dollar rebounded slightly against the Japanese yen but has still weakened sharply since last week, putting pressure on shares of major exporters. Toyota Motor Corp. lost 3 per cent, and other major manufacturers also extended losses. The dollar was trading at 152.75 yen, up from 152.19 yen. But it's nearly 4 per cent lower than its level last week, when it surged to near 160 yen, prompting both Japanese and US officials to warn they will intervene to stanch the yen's ...

Asian shares mostly rise tracking Wall Street gains as gold edges lower

Asian shares were mostly higher Tuesday after US stock indexes ticked upward, buoyed by strong profit reports for some companies. The price of gold slipped back from its record, edging 0.2 per cent lower to USD 5,071.70. Silver lost 5.1 per cent to USD 109.66 per ounce. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 rose 0.6 per cent to 53,188.39. The Kospi in South Korea surged 1.9 per cent to 5,042.32 even after US President Donald Trump said he would raise tariffs on South Korean goods because the country's national assembly has yet to approve a trade framework announced last year. Trump said on social media Monday that import taxes would be raised on autos, lumber and pharmaceutical drugs from South Korea with the rate on other goods going from 15 per cent to 25 per cent. Gains for tech-related shares like Samsung Electronics, which rose 2.9 per cent, helped offset losses for automakers like Kia Corp., which fell 2 per cent. Chinese markets were mixed. Hong Kong's Hang Seng advanced 1.1 per cent t

Asian markets edge lower as yen rises sharply against US dollar

Asian shares mostly declined Monday, as Japan's benchmark took a tumble after the yen surged against the U.S. dollar. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 dropped 1.9% to 52,812.45 on selling of big exporters like Toyota Motor Corp., whose shares fell 3.2%. A weak currency is generally favourable for Japanese exporters because it helps elevate the value of their overseas earnings. In recent months, the dollar has gained against the yen. It fell sharply in the past few days after officials in both Japan and the U.S. indicated they were prepared to intervene to support the yen. The dollar slipped to 154.26 Japanese yen from 155.01 yen. It had been trading around 158 yen last week. The euro rose to $1.1866 from $1.1858. Elsewhere in Asia, South Korea's Kospi dipped 0.6% to 4,961.58. Hong Kong's Hang Seng inched down 0.1% to 26,722.89, while the Shanghai Composite added 0.1% to 4,141.10. Markets were closed in Australia, New Zealand, India and Indonesia. US futures edged lower on persistin

Asian shares, US futures gain as BOJ keeps its key interest rate unchanged

Chinese markets also saw moderate gains as the Hang Seng in Hong Kong added 0.3 per cent to 26,718.13, while the Shanghai Composite index also was up 0.3 per cent, at 4,133.58

Asian shares mostly rise after Trump backs down on Greenland tariff threat

Asian shares mostly advanced on Thursday, tracking Wall Street, after US President Donald Trump walked back from imposing tariffs on eight European countries over Greenland and ruled out using military force to take control of the territory. The future for the S&P 500 was up 0.4% on Thursday, while that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 0.3%. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 climbed 1.9% to 53,760.85, with technology stocks among those leading the gain. SoftBank Group jumped 11% and chipmaker Tokyo Electron rose 3.7%. South Korea's Kospi was up 2% to 5,008.08, crossing the 5,000 mark for the first time after hitting records earlier this month. Technology-related stocks drove the rally. Shares of Samsung Electronics rose 3.3%, and chipmaker SK Hynix was up 2.3%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 0.2% to 26,531.29. The Shanghai Composite index dropped nearly 0.2%, to 4,110.86. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 traded 0.7% higher to 8,841.70. Taiwan's Taiex jumped 2%, while India's Sensex ...

Asian shares extend selloff, global bond rout stokes fresh anxiety

In early trade, MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.3%. Japan's Nikkei slumped 1.2%, down for the fifth straight day

Asian stocks hit record highs as AI rally returns, dollar stays firm

Overnight, gains in technology and financial stocks sent Wall Street higher, with Nasdaq futures up 0.4 per cent in the Asian session

Asian shares slide, oil sinks $2 after Trump says Iran stopped killings

Asian shares were mostly lower and US futures also fell Thursday after Wall Street retreated, dragged down by falls in Big Tech stocks. Oil prices fell more than $2 a barrel after US President Donald Trump said he was told on good authority that plans for executions in Iran have stopped, even as Tehran has signaled fast trials and executions ahead in its crackdown on protesters. US benchmark crude fell $2, or 3.3%, to $59.88 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, shed $2.12, or 3.2%, to $64.40 per barrel. In Asian trading, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 slipped 0.9% to 53,863.84, with technology-related stocks trading lower. SoftBank Group fell 5.6%, testing equipment maker Advantest fell 4.1% and chip maker Tokyo Electron fell 3.3%. Shares of machinery and equipment maker Toyota Industries rose 6% following reports that automaker Toyota Motor has raised its buyout offer for the company to 18,800 yen ($118.61) per share. Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropped 0.6% to 26,850.78. Hong ...

Asian markets rise as yen hits weakest since 2024 on Japan election hopes

The Japanese yen hit its weakest level since July 2024 at 159.415 per dollar in early Asian hours, as the threat of a market intervention resurfaced