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☆ Bank of Japan keeps monetary policy unchanged, sees slightly higher inflation in fiscal 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A pedestrian walks past the Bank of Japan (BoJ) building in central Tokyo on July 28, 2023. The Bank of Japan kept its policy rate unchanged Friday after its monetary policy meeting, holding its benchmark policy rate at 0%-0.1%. While the move was expected, this comes after Tokyo's April inflation came in lower than expected, with the core inflation rate at 1.6% compared to expectations of 2.2% from Reuters. The bank previously said in March it bought about six trillion yen ($83.5 billion) worth of bonds per month in the past. No comment was made by the BOJ on the yen , which has steadily weakened since the BOJ ended its negative interest rate policy last month and abolished its yield curve control policy.

Organizations: Bank of Japan, The Bank of Japan, Reuters, U.S Locations: Tokyo

Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Friday as investors in Asia look to the Bank of Japan's policy decision and inflation figures out of Tokyo. Thirteen economists polled by Reuters unanimously forecast that the BOJ will leave its monetary policy unchanged. Tokyo's headline inflation rate for April came in at 1.8%, slowing from the 2.6% in March. Core inflation in the capital — which strips out prices of fresh food — sharply fell to 1.6% from March's 2.4%, missing expectations of 2.2% from economists polled by Reuters. Tokyo inflation data is widely considered as a leading indicator of nationwide trends.

Persons: Cherry Organizations: Nippon Budokan, Bank of, Reuters Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Asia, Pacific

☆ South Korea's largest K-pop agency Hybe accuses sublabel executives of breach of trust
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

South Korea's largest entertainment agency Hybe is set to file an official police complaint against executives of its sublabel ADOR on charges of breach of trust and other offenses. The move comes after Hybe, which manages K-pop sensation BTS, opened an audit into ADOR on April 22 over allegations that CEO Min Hee-jin was aiming to take the sublabel independent. Min denied the allegations and accused Hybe of copying the concept of ADOR's girl group, NewJeans, for another girl group under a different Hybe subsidiary. Reports from South Korean media show a screenshot provided by Hybe of a message between Min and ADOR's vice CEO. In the message, the vice CEO outlined various methods to take the label independent, including approaching other investors and convincing Hybe to sell its stake in the sublabel.

Persons: Min Hee, Min, Hybe, auditee Organizations: CNBC, South Locations: ADOR

Commercial and residential buildings seen from the rooftop of the Lotte Corp. World Tower at sunset in Seoul, South Korea, on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. Asia-Pacific markets took a breather after two straight days of rallies, mirroring moves on Wall Street ahead of first-quarter gross domestic product figures from the U.S. due Thursday. In Asia, investors will assess South Korea's advance first-quarter GDP growth of 3.4% year on year, the highest quarterly growth since the fourth quarter of 2021. Separately, the Bank of Japan kicks off its monetary policy meeting Thursday as investors monitor for action against yen weakness. The yen slid past the 155 mark against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday, hitting a fresh 34-year low.

Organizations: Lotte Corp, Bank of Japan, U.S Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Asia, Pacific, U.S

☆ SenseTime shares soar more than 30% after announcing its latest generative AI model
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

A logo of SenseTime is seen during 2021 China Content Broadcasting Network Exhibition at China International Exhibition Center on May 29, 2021 in Beijing, China. Shares of SenseTime Group surged more than 30% on Wednesday, after the Chinese AI giant announced its latest generative artificial intelligence model, called SenseNova 5.0. The company's shares traded as high as 82 Hong Kong cents a share, or 34.42% higher than its previous close of 61 cents. SenseTime said in a release that the major advancement in SenseNova 5.0 focuses on knowledge, mathematics, reasoning, and coding capabilities.

Persons: SenseTime Organizations: China Content Broadcasting Network, China International Exhibition Center, SenseTime, Hong Locations: China, Beijing, Hong Kong

Goldman Sachs' David Kostin expects earnings will be higher this year even amid concerns of margin pressures in the face of higher inflation. Of those companies, Kostin noted, roughly two-thirds have topped expectations on the bottom line, while about one-third beat estimates on the top line. "What that suggests to us is that companies are able and demonstrating the ability to kind of squeak over a little bit margin," Kostin told CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" on Tuesday. The chief U.S. equity strategist said he anticipates inflation will eventually move lower this year, and interest rates will come down from their highs, helping to drive earnings growth. "Our forecast is that [the] market rises slowly in line with expectations for earnings," Kostin said.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, David Kostin, Kostin, CNBC's, Sarah Min

☆ Asia markets extend gains ahead of business activity figures from around the region
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets extended gains from Monday as tech shares rebounded on Wall Street and investors look toward flash business activity figures from Australia, Japan and India. Figures from S&P Global show that Australia's composite purchasing managers index hit a two-year high, coming in at 53.6 against March's 53.3. Japan and India's PMI numbers will be released later Tuesday. Japan's Nikkei 225 popped 0.8% at the open, while the broad based Topix was up 0.66%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 16,681, pointing to a weaker open compared to the HSI's close of 16,511.69.

Persons: Kospi Organizations: Nurphoto, Getty, March's, PMI, Nikkei Locations: Jama, New Delhi, India, Asia, Pacific, Australia, Japan

☆ Shares of Chinese bubble tea firm Chabaidao plunge nearly 40% in Hong Kong debut
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Shares of Chinese bubble tea chain Chabaidao tumbled almost 40% on its trading debut on the Hong Kong stock exchange. The stock, officially listed as Sichuan Baicha Baidao Industrial, fell as low as 10.84 Hong Kong dollars in the late morning — about 38% below its IPO price of HK$17.50. The bubble tea firm's IPO was the largest listing in Hong Kong in 2024 so far, with the company garnering net proceeds of HK$2.59 billion from its IPO, before listing expenses, according to its prospectus filed to the Hong Kong exchange. The company said it ranked third in China's freshly made tea shop market in terms of retail sales value in 2023, with a market share of 6.8%

Organizations: Hong, HK Locations: Hong Kong, Sichuan

☆ Japan and South Korea could coordinate currency intervention, but they may need U.S. support
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

SeongJoon Cho | Bloomberg via Getty ImagesInvestors have been monitoring for potential intervention in the Japanese yen, but recent comments have triggered discussion about "coordinated intervention" with South Korea. The currency has struggled, slipping past 150, since the Bank of Japan raised rates in March. Following that volatility, the U.S. last week acknowledged Japan and South Korea's "serious concerns" over the recent sharp depreciation in their currencies. The comments spurred chatter about possible coordinated currency intervention. Brady said South Korea and Japan could amplify their individual messages to the market by coordinating policy, which might also enhance the short-term impact compared to unilateral action.

Persons: SeongJoon Cho, James Brady, Brady Organizations: Korean, Woori, Bloomberg, Getty, U.S ., Bank of, South Korean, greenback, Authorities, Treasury, Bank of Japan Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Bank of Japan, U.S, Japan, South, Tokyo, Bank of Korea

Photo taken on January 21, 2024 shows a real estate project under construction in Huai 'an city, Jiangsu province, China. Asia-Pacific markets rebounded from Friday's sell-off as investors look to fresh data points out of China, Japan and South Korea this week. On Friday, markets in the region tumbled after Israel launched a strike at Iran, causing stocks to fall and safe-haven assets to climb. On Monday, investors will monitor China's one-year and five-year loan prime rates. The five-year LPR will be closely watched, as it acts as the peg for most property mortgages.

Persons: Huai Organizations: Israel Locations: Jiangsu province, China, Asia, Pacific, Japan, South Korea, Iran

☆ Asia markets trade lower tracking Wall Street's losses; Japan inflation numbers watched
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Asia-Pacific markets were all lower on Friday, tracking Wall Street's losses overnight and giving up gains from the previous day. Traders will also be watching chip stocks, after Taiwanese chip giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp beat first quarter revenue and profit expectations on Thursday. Japan released March inflation data, with the headline inflation rate coming in at 2.7%, down from the 2.8% seen in February. The core inflation rate — which strips out fresh food prices — stood at 2.6%, in line with expectations from economists polled by Reuters. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 was down 1.88% after the inflation reading, while the broad based Topix fell 1.3%.

Organizations: Traders, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp, Reuters, Nikkei Locations: Asia, Pacific

☆ Asia markets mixed after S&P and Nasdaq fall for fourth straight day
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Thursday, following Wall Street's overnight losses which saw the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite fall for a fourth straight day. Tech stocks led markets lower as artificial intelligence darling Nvidia fell nearly 4%, joined by Netflix , Meta , Apple and Microsoft . Tech was the worst-performing S&P 500 sector, falling 1.7%. Investors are "trimming some of the high fliers," said Kevin Gordon, senior investment strategist at Charles Schwab. Investors in Asia will assess Australia's unemployment rate, which is one of the metrics the country's central bank weighs when considering monetary policy.

Persons: Kevin Gordon, Charles Schwab Organizations: Nasdaq, Tech, Netflix, Meta, Apple, Microsoft Locations: Asia, Pacific

☆ Singapore non oil domestic exports plunge 20.7%, misses expectations by a huge margin
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Singapore's non-oil domestic exports plunged 20.7% in March from a year ago, a sharp decline from the revised 0.2% fall in February. The 20.7% fall missed expectations by a huge margin, with economists polled by Reuters forecasting a 7% fall. This is the largest drop in non-oil domestic exports recorded by Singapore since January 2023. On a month-on-month basis, non-oil domestic exports slid 8.4%, also more than the 4.5% expected in the Reuters forecast. Non-oil domestic exports to Singapore's top markets declined in March, particularly for the U.S., the European Union and Japan.

Persons: Singapore's Organizations: Reuters, Enterprise Singapore, European Union, . Enterprise Singapore Locations: Marina, Sands, Singapore, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan

☆ K-pop stocks have sold off this year, but Goldman sees a turnaround
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Goldman Sachs, however, expressed optimism for the industry in a March 14 report, saying the K-pop sector is "misunderstood." Nonetheless, Goldman Sachs said it sees a "high potential for valuation re-rating," as companies still continue to deliver multi-year earnings growth. Goldman pointed out that Japan's top talent agency Johnny & Associates has been mired in a major scandal, leading to the industry turning more favorable to K-pop artists. In 2023, Kouhaku Uta Gassen, the largest music show in Japan, invited five K-pop artists and two localized groups produced by K-pop companies. It was the first time the show has featured male K-pop artists since 2011 and the largest number of K-pop groups ever featured in its line up.

Persons: Danielle, Hyein, NewJeans, Gary Miller, Goldman Sachs, Karina, Goldman, Kouhaku Uta Gassen Organizations: Park, Filmmagic, JYP, YG Entertainment, SM Entertainment, Hybe, SM, Johnny, Associates Locations: CHICAGO , ILLINOIS, Chicago , Illinois, Japan, U.S

☆ Asia markets rebound after Tuesday's broad sell-off; Japan and Singapore data expected
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Asia-Pacific markets rebounded after Tuesday's broad sell-off, with traders watching trade data out of Japan and Singapore on Wednesday. Investor sentiment, however, might be tempered by comments from U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who said there has been "a lack of further progress so far this year on returning to our 2% inflation goal." Echoing recent statements by central bank officials, Powell indicated the current level of policy likely will stay in place until inflation gets closer to target.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Powell Organizations: Wednesday, U.S . Federal Locations: Asia, Pacific, Japan, Singapore, U.S

☆ China's economy grew 5.3% in the first quarter, beating expectations
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

China's economy in the first quarter grew faster than expected, official data released Tuesday by China's National Bureau of Statistics showed. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, China's GDP grew 1.6% in the first quarter, compared to a Reuters poll expectations of 1.4% and a revised fourth quarter expansion of 1.2%. Beijing has set a 2024 growth target of around 5%. Last week, Morgan Stanley raised its 2024 real GDP forecast for China to 4.8%, from its previous expectation of 4.2%. The world's second largest economy saw weak export and inflation data earlier this month, with both sets of data coming in below expectations.

Persons: Morgan Stanley Organizations: China's National Bureau, Statistics, Gross, Reuters Locations: Qingzhou, Weifang City, Shandong Province, China, Beijing

☆ Asia markets extend declines amid Iran-Israel tensions; China economic data on deck
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

A batch of cars are ready to be shipped to overseas markets at the port of Taicang, Jiangsu province, China, April 9, 2024. Future Publishing | Future Publishing | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets extended their declines as the world awaits Israel's response to Iran's air assault over the weekend. On Tuesday, China's first-quarter gross domestic product numbers will be in focus, with the world's second-largest economy expected to grow 4.6% from a year ago. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 16,430, pointing to a weaker open compared to the HSI's close of 16,600. Japan's Nikkei 225 plunged 1.5% at the open, while the broad based Topix was down 1.04%.

Persons: China's, Kospi Organizations: Future Publishing, Getty, Nikkei Locations: Taicang, Jiangsu province, China, Asia, Pacific, Australia

☆ Asia-Pacific markets fall amid Israel-Iran tensions with spotlight on oil, gold and bitcoin
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Pedestrians cross an intersection in the Shibuya district of Tokyo, Japan, on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. Asia-Pacific markets slipped Monday as traders weighed the impact of Iran's drone attack on Israel over the weekend, with focus also on key economic data from China and Japan later in the week. The U.S. intervened to directly help Israel shoot down nearly all of the incoming munitions, Biden said in a statement Saturday. India will release its wholesale inflation figures for March later in the day, while China will announce its first quarter GDP numbers on Tuesday. Japan will release its March trade data and inflation numbers on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.

Persons: Joe Biden, Israel, Biden Organizations: Brent, . West Texas Locations: Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, Asia, Pacific, Israel, China, Iran, U.S, India

☆ Couple pays $1,600 a month for a 1-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn—they have 150 houseplants: Take a look inside
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Celia Fernandez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Mickey Todiwala. "I'm just a homebody that wants to stay at home all day to play with my cats and plants," Wai says. Mickey Todiwala. Mickey Todiwala. Mickey Todiwala.

Persons: Vionna Wai, Chucky Hui, millennials, Hui, Ding, Wai, Mickey Todiwala, I've Organizations: CNBC, Florida Beauty Locations: Bensonhurst , Brooklyn, U.S, Florida

☆ Asia markets mixed ahead of China trade data; Singapore first-quarter GDP climbs 2.7%
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Asia-Pacific markets were mixed Friday after an inflation-fueled selloff in the previous session, with investor assessing economic data from Singapore and South Korea while awaiting China trade numbers. China's trade data for March will be released later in the day, with exports forecast to fall 2.3% year on year by economists polled by Reuters. The city-state's central bank held its monetary policy steady, leaving the width and level of its policy band unchanged. In contrast to other countries, Singapore uses exchange rate settings for its monetary policy, instead of a benchmark interest rate. South Korea's March unemployment rate rose to 2.8%, while investors awaited the Bank of Korea's rate decision.

Persons: Singapore's Organizations: Reuters, Bank of Locations: Qingdao, Shandong province, Asia, Pacific, Singapore, South Korea, China

☆ China has strong fundamentals and should remain a focus for businesses, Singapore trade minister says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Businesses should continue to focus on China and explore opportunities to expand their presence in the world's second-largest economy, Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong said Friday. China had briefly entered deflation territory late last year, and is still struggling with a debt-laden real estate sector. However, "if you take a deeper look, when I engaged the businesses and the people on the ground, I think the sense it gives me is that China's fundamentals are strong," Gan said on CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia." The country's investments in infrastructure will also put it in a good position to recover in the longer term, Gan added. "So I think in the meantime, in the immediate future, they will see headwinds, but I think in the longer term, the fundamentals remain strong."

Persons: Industry Gan Kim Yong, China, Fitch, Gan Organizations: Singapore Minister, Trade, Industry, Moody's Locations: China, Singapore

☆ Asia markets tumble after hotter-than-expected U.S. inflation; China inflation on deck
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Customers at a fresh food market in Shanghai, China, on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. Asia-Pacific markets tumbled after U.S. inflation for March came in hotter than expected, climbing 3.5% on a year-on-year basis and 0.4% higher compared to the previous month. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been looking for a 0.3% month-on-month gain and 3.4% year-over-year. Excluding volatile food and energy components, the core CPI also accelerated 0.4% on a monthly basis while rising 3.8% from a year ago, compared with respective estimates for 0.3% and 3.7%. Investors in Asia will also monitor China's inflation figures Thursday, with economists polled by Reuters expecting the consumer price index to climb 0.4% in March.

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: Investors, Reuters Locations: Shanghai, China, Asia, Pacific

☆ Asia markets mostly fall as Japan corporate inflation climbs; New Zealand rate decision on tap
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

People commuting to work in the morning cross a pedestrian crossing in Tokyo on February 15, 2024. Asia-Pacific markets mostly fell as of Japan's corporate inflation climbed in March and rate decisions are awaited from New Zealand and Thailand's central banks. South Korea's markets are closed Wednesday, as the country heads to the polls to elect its next parliament. Japan's corporate inflation rate came in at 0.8% for March, its third straight month of increase and in line with expectations from a Reuters poll of economists, while investors also brace for the U.S. consumer price index report later Wednesday.

Locations: Tokyo, Asia, Pacific, New Zealand, South

☆ Asia markets climb as U.S. Treasury yields pressure Wall Street; data from Australia and Japan on deck
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

An aerial view of the central business district and Sydney Opera House on February 17, 2023. On Tuesday, investors in Asia will observe business confidence surveys from Australia and consumer confidence data from Japan. Asia-Pacific markets climbed even as U.S. Treasury yields put pressure on Wall Street equities Monday. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 16,831, pointing to a weaker open compared to the HSI's close of 16,732.85. Treasury yields rose, with the rate on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note up about 4 basis points to 4.42%.

Persons: CNBC's Hakyung Kim, Yun Li Organizations: Sydney Opera House, Treasury, Wall, Nikkei, Dow Jones, Nasdaq Locations: Asia, Australia, Japan, Pacific, U.S, . Federal

☆ Japan's real wages fall for 23rd straight month, dampening Bank of Japan's hopes for 'virtuous cycle'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Real wages in Japan fell for a 23rd straight month, suggesting that high inflation is still biting into consumer spending power in the country. Labor ministry data released Monday showed that real wages fell 1.3% in February from a year ago, accelerating from a revised 1.1% drop in January. The data showed special payments, which include bonuses, slipped 5.5% year-on-year. But those pay hikes benefit only a fraction of Japan's workers, given only 16.3% of workers are unionized in the country and most unionized workers are concentrated in large companies. If real wages continue to decline, consumers may choose to save instead of spend, thereby generating little demand and impetus for prices to rise.

Organizations: Labor, Bank of Japan's Locations: Japan

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