Nikkei In Tokyo Edged Lower Ahead of GDP Report, Mitsui Fudosan and Kubota In Focus

Benchmark indexes in Tokyo eased ahead of the release of the GDP report later in the week. The yen hovered above the 155 mark as traders feared another market intervention. Kubota and Mitsui Fudosan declined after the release of their earnings. 

China's Consumer Inflation Accelerates In April, Weak Demand Keeps New Bank Loans In Check

Benchmark indexes in Shanghai and Hong Kong overcame morning weakness as investors awaited earnings from Tencent Holdings and Alibaba Group. Consumer price inflation accelerated in April, but producer price inflation declined for the 19th consecutive month.

Hang Seng Index Trade at an 8-month High; New Listing Applications Rebound in Hong Kong

Market indexes in Shanghai and Hong Kong extended weekly gains in the hopes of regulators following through on the announced measures. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange said new application listings soared in the first quarter. 

Real Wages Fall In Japan for the 27th Consecutive Month; BOJ Reiterates Accommodative Policy

Benchmark indexes in Tokyo lacked direction, and the yen held near its recent levels after real wages declined for the 27th month in a row in March.

China's International Trade Highlights Uneven Recovery at Home and Abroad, Stock Indexes Advance

China's exports and imports showed improving performance in April as international demand rebounded and domestic demand improved. However, international trade in the first four months to April struggled amid falling exports to the U.S. and the European Union. 

Shanghai Indexes Jump 1% After Investors Return from 5-day Holidays

Market indexes in Shanghai advanced after investors returned from a five-day holiday break. The Hang Seng index lacked direction, but bargain hunters added positions in tech stocks in the hopes of higher earnings from supportive government measures. 

Hang Seng Index Extends to Bull Territory Amid Hopes of Supportive Measures

Hong Kong indexes extended weekly gains to 6% and this year's rise to 10% amid hopes of additional government measures to revive faltering market sentiment. 

Tokyo Indexes Struggle After Tech Stock Weakness, Sumitomo Pharma Plunges 7%

Stocks in Japan struggled to advance amid the weakness in tech stocks following the U.S. Federal Reserve's hawkish comments and rate decisions. Sumitomo Pharma suspended its dividend and raised its estimate of losses in fiscal 2024.

Hong Kong Stocks Jump, EV Makers Report Mixed Sales In April Amid Brutal Price War

Stocks in Hong Kong advanced after investors returned from a holiday, and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority held its rate steady following the rate decision in the U.S. Electric vehicle makers reported mixed sales in April amid a brutal price war and slowing domestic demand growth.

Japan's Manufacturing Contraction Extends to Eleventh Month; Lasertec Reports Strong Results

Japan's manufacturing sector extended contraction to the eleventh month in a row. Three Japanese railway companies reported a double-digit increase in annual revenue following the end of COVID-19 restrictions. Lasertec said nine-month sales and earnings rose, and the company announced the appointment of a new chief executive. 

Nikkei Jump 1%, Yen Recovers from a New Low; Factory Output Rebounds, Jobless Rate Holds Steady

Benchmark indexes in Tokyo advanced, and the rebound in the yen raised the prospect of market intervention by the government. Factory output recovered, retail sales rose, and the jobless rate held steady in March. 

China Business Activities Show Moderate Expansion, ICBC and Agriculture Bank Report Declining Earnings

ICBC and the Agriculture Bank of China reported a decline in earnings for the first time in a year after net interest rate margins narrowed. China's manufacturing and service sectors showed moderate growth amid a protracted property market slump and its spillover effects in the banking sector. 

Hong Kong Index Extends Two-month Rebound to 20% After Insurer AIA Group Expanded Stock Buyback Plan

Stocks in Shanghai and Hong Kong extended gains after AIA reported a sharp jump in new business value in the first quarter. The Hang Seng index stretched to a 20% gain from the low reached on January 22. 

Bank of Japan Holds Rates Steady, Yen Tumbles to a New 34-year Low

The Bank of Japan held steady its interest rate range, lifted its inflation outlook, and reiterated its commitment to purchase Japanese government bonds. The Japanese yen tumbled to a new 34-year low as traders recalibrated their rate outlook for the near future. 

Hang Seng Index Extends Weekly Gain to 7% On Earnings Optimism

Investors in Shanghai and Hong Kong bid up stocks on earnings optimism. CNOOC said quarterly earnings rose by 24%. BYD Auto repurchased its own stock. Guolian Securities said it plans to acquire privately-held Minsheng Securities as the brokerage industry ramps up consolidation.