In 2024 China and Hong Kong indexes closed up 16% and 19%, respectively. The Hang Seng index halted a 4-year slide and the CSI 300 index arrested a 3-year decline and closed at levels last seen in five years ago.
Japan's key stock indexes delivered strong performance in 2024 amid a rise in corporate earnings driven in part by a weaker yen and the BoJ's plan to raise interest rates gradually.
Stock market indexes in China and Hong Kong lacked direction in thin trading as four companies completed their public offerings, in the busiest listing day in Hong Kong in six months.
Japan's retail sales expanded for the 32nd month and rose at the fastest pace in three months, supported by the continuing rise in wages. The Nikkei Stock Average extended its weekly gain to 3.5%.
Japan's market indexes edged higher for the second session in a row amid rate path uncertainties, and the government looks to ramp up defense spending and increase subsidies to low-income households.
The main reason why Japanese automakers missed the electric vehicle trend is because the government failed to invest in the domestic EV market, and vehicle makers do not see profit in making advanced vehicles.
Investors in China and Hong Kong continued to believe that additional monetary and fiscal stimulus will help to revive earnings growth and consumer confidence.
Stock market indexes in China and Hong Kong closed higher amid hopes of speedier fiscal stimulus implementation plans. In a holiday-shortened week, investors stayed on the sidelines and reassessed geopolitical tension.
Japan's overall and core consumer price inflation accelerated, adding more urgency to lifting rates at the next policy meeting of the Bank of Japan. For the week, benchmark stock indexes fell 2%.
China and Hong Kong indexes closed down after policymakers failed to provide implementation plans for the previously announced fiscal stimulus plans. The People's Bank of China held its loan prime rates steady, as widely anticipated.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority lowered its key rate by 25 basis points, reflecting the rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve. Property developers and retail stocks faced another wave of selling.
Investors in Tokyo stayed on the sidelines ahead of rate decisions by the Bank of Japan and the U.S. Federal Reserve. The yen remained in focus as the rate spread between the U.S. Treasury notes and Japanese bonds is expected to shrink in 2025.
Domestic investors in China and Hong Kong held out for details on the previously announced fiscal reforms. Benchmark indexes in China and Hong Kong are expected to resume their downward slide as policymakers struggle to finalize concrete steps to revive consumer confidence.
Stock market indexes in China and Hong Kong continue to lose momentum as China's leadership and bureaucracy show little urgency in implementing previously announced fiscal measures.
