China market indexes retreated amid ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. Investors are increasingly avoiding export-sensitive sectors of the economy as the U.S.-China tensions are likely to persist longer than previously estimated.
Japan's private sector business activities rebounded in April from a slump in March following a rebound in the service sector activities. The yen traded near a six-month high.
Stock market indexes in China and Hong Kong rebounded amid hopes of a cooling of trade tensions with the U.S. Technology and e-commerce platform operators led markets higher.
China and Hong Kong indexes lacked direction, and investors awaited details of the previously announced fiscal stimulus and additional measures to soften the sharp increase in U.S. import taxes.
Stock market indexes in Japan extended weekly gains amid hopes of tariff concessions from the U.S. The yen edged higher as investors continued to sell U.S. dollar-denominated assets amid waning confidence in its safe-haven status.
Japan's exports, imports, and trade balance expanded in March. Investors hoped that the U.S. tariffs would be lowered after trade negotiations this week.
China and Hong Kong stocks lacked direction as trade tensions between China and the U.S. showed no signs of easing. Moreover, Chinese companies are accelerating their plans to shift away from exporting to the U.S. and focus on domestic and other markets.
Japan's core machinery orders rose at a slower pace in February, and the forward-looking outlook among manufacturers confirmed ongoing tariff uncertainties.
China's GDP expanded at 5.4% annual growth and maintained the pace of the previous quarter; industrial production surged to 7.7% in March, but new home prices across the 70 largest cities declined for the 21st consecutive month.
Japan's investors shifted their attention to the US-Japan trade negotiations later in the week, and businesses prepared to find ways to soften the impact of tariffs on business operations.
China's exports accelerated amid a surge in demand in the U.S. ahead of the looming tariffs and constantly shifting trade landscape. Trade surplus in March soared to above $100 billion as factories rushed to meet U.S. orders.
Japan's market indexes tumbled on Friday and trimmed weekly gains amid the uncertainty linked to the U.S. trade policy and weakening outlook for international trade.
