PBOC Holds Loan Prime Rates and Announces Measures to Facilitate Residential Property Market

The People's Bank of China held steady its one-year and five-year loan prime rates and announced multiple measures to increase liquidity and facilitate transactions in the residential property market.

Yen and Tech Stock Weakness Drive Stock Market Volatility In Japan

Benchmark indexes in Japan extended weekly gains, and investors reviewed the persistent weakness in consumer spending highlighted in the latest GDP report. The yen faced renewed selling pressure amid worries about the wide interest rate gap between Japan and the U.S.

China's Weak Economic Data Highlighted Difficulties of Meeting 5% Annual Growth Target

The latest economic data from China highlighted weak consumer demand, ongoing property market malaise, and solid growth in industrial output driven by sustained government spending.

Japan's GDP Contracted After Consumers and Businesses Curb Spending

Japan's GDP in the first quarter contracted more than expected due to a persistent weakness in private spending compounded by a weakness in business investment. 

China Indexes Advanced Ahead of Key Economic Data and Earnings Releases

Benchmark indexes in Shanghai and Hong Kong advanced ahead of earnings from leading tech companies later today and key economic data on Friday.

Nikkei In Tokyo Traded Sideways; Sony, Yokohama Rubber, and Nitori In Focus After Earnings Results

Benchmark indexes eased in the afternoon trading in Tokyo, and tech stocks were among the leading gainers. Sony advanced after reporting a surge in quarterly profit driven by gains in the movie and game businesses. Yokohama Rubber reported its second record quarterly sales in a row. Nitori plunged after sales and earnings declined. 

Shanghai Indexes Trade Down Amid Rising Trade Tensions Between the U.S. and China

Stocks and benchmark indexes in Shanghai traded down amid rising trade tensions between the U.S. and China. Markets in Hong Kong were closed for a public holiday. China held its one-year medium-term lending rate at 2.5%. 

Earnings and Yen Weakness Dominate Market Sentiment In Tokyo Trading, Furukawa Electric and Obayashi Jump

Benchmark indexes in Tokyo meandered, and the Japanese yen remained under pressure as traders prepared for the currency to resume its slide. Obyashi Corp., Toppan Holdings, and Furukawa Electric advanced after the release of earnings results. Daiwa Securities, Tosoh, and Nissan Chemical declined more than 5%.

China Indexes Lose Momentum, Yuan Under Pressure from Competitive Devaluation Worries

Benchmark indexes in Shanghai and Hong Kong struggled after advancing in the previous five weeks. The Chinese yuan remained under pressure from the growing worries of competitive devaluation sparked by the persistent weakness in the Japanese yen.

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.