DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Asia markets slide: Shanghai shares hit 4-month low; Japan, HK post second-straight daily loss
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-24 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Asia-Pacific markets slid Wednesday, with the Shanghai Composite ending down 1.28% at 3,204.75, its lowest level since Jan 13. The Shenzhen Component closed 0.84% lower at 10,920, erasing all its gains this year to sink to lowest since Dec 23 last year. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index posted a second-straight daily loss, closing down 1.77% at 19,087, while the Hang Seng Tech index shed 2.1%. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.63% at 7,213.8, its lowest closing level since last Wednesday. The country also saw its retail sales volume fall 4.1% year-on-year in the first quarter, the second straight quarterly contraction following a 4% fall in the quarter ended December.

Persons: Kospi Organizations: Shanghai, Shenzhen Component, Hang Seng, Nikkei, Reuters, New, New Zealand, U.S Locations: Asia, Pacific, Japan, Australia, New Zealand

☆ Japan stocks snap seven-day winning streak as Hong Kong sinks to 2-month low
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-23 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

(Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) (Photo by KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)Asia-Pacific markets mostly slid on Tuesday as talks between U.S President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy ended without a deal. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he had a "productive" and "professional" meeting, and said "I think the tone tonight was better than any other night we've had discussions," McCarthy said outside the West Wing following the hourlong meeting. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 closed 0.42% down at 30,957, snapping its seven day winning streak. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index reversed earlier gains and to sink 1.27% to 19,428.08, its lowest closing levels since March 21, while mainland Chinese markets also traded lower. The Shanghai Composite closed down 1.52% at 3,246.24 while the Shenzhen Composite ended down 1.03% at 11,012.58.

Persons: Kazuhiro NOGI, KAZUHIRO NOGI, Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, we've, McCarthy, Kospi Organizations: Nikkei, Getty Images, U.S, Wing, Juno Bank Locations: Tokyo, AFP, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Australia, Shanghai, Shenzhen

Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Monday after the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima concluded and talks on the debt ceiling are slated to resume in the U.S. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 slid 0.11% and the Topix traded close to the flatline following its outperformance last week. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 was marginally lower, while South Korea's Kospi was fractionally higher. In contrast, the Kosdaq saw a loss of 0.34%Hong Kong's Hang Seng index looks to slightly fall, with futures at 19,410 compared to its close of 19,450.57. China's 1-year and 5-year loan prime rates for May are scheduled to be released later in the day.

☆ European markets head for cautious open as U.S. debt ceiling talks are set to resume
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

European markets are heading for a mixed open Monday, with investors keeping an eye on tense debt ceiling talks in the United States. Federal leaders are expected to continue with negotiations on the U.S. debt ceiling on Monday as the country approaches a potential default, with President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy scheduled to meet at the White House. On Sunday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said "hard choices" will need to be made about which bills will go unpaid if the debt ceiling is not raised and reaffirmed her warning that the United States could default on its debt as early as June 1. Asia-Pacific markets mostly rose overnight as stocks in Tokyo extended a rally, while U.S. stock futures retreated slightly on Sunday evening.

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) headquarters is seen beyond the cherry blossoms in Tokyo on March 20, 2023. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite jumped on Thursday to notch their highest closing levels since August 2022 as Wall Street traders kept focused on debt ceiling negotiations. Leaders from the Group of 7 will be gathering in Hiroshima, Japan for the G-7 summit that kicks off today. Japan stocks were on course to seeing its best week since October as the Nikkei 225 rose 0.67%, maintaining the highest levels since 1990 and the Topix climbed 0.37% in early trade — marking its sixth winning streak. Japan's core inflation in April rose 3.4% year-on-year, maintaining levels above the central bank's target.

Asia-Pacific markets are set to rise on hopes of U.S President Joe Biden and congressional leaders inching closer to a deal to raise the U.S. debt ceiling and avoid a default. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said that a "better process" is now in place for further talks, saying it's "possible to get a deal by the end of the week." Biden shortened his trip to Asia to focus on the negotiations, the White House said. South Korea's Kospi gained 0.66% and the Kosdaq gained 0.77% in Asia's morning trade. Stocks in Australia also rose, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 0.74% as investors await the economy's unemployment figures for April.

☆ European markets head for higher open as U.S. debt ceiling talks make progress
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

European markets are heading for a higher open Thursday as U.S. debt ceiling talks make progress. Wall Street sentiment improved Wednesday and Asia-Pacific markets rose overnight on hopes that U.S President Joe Biden and congressional leaders were inching closer to a deal to raise the U.S. debt ceiling and avoid a default. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said that a "better process" is now in place for further talks, saying it's "possible to get a deal by the end of the week." Biden shortened his trip to Asia to focus on the negotiations, the White House said.

Asia-Pacific markets are trading mixed as the region looks to economic data from several countries, including Japan and Australia. South Korea's Kospi traded close to the flatline on Wednesday, while the Kosdaq saw a 0.49% gain. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.79%, dragged by mining stocks as investors await the nation's wage price index later today. The wage price index measures changes in the price of labor in Australia, and is a key metric when the country considers its monetary policy. In Hong Kong, futures for the Hang Seng index were at 19,884, lower than the HSI's last close of 19,978.25.

The view from the observation deck at Shanghai Tower in Shanghai, China, on Sunday, April 9, 2023. Photographer: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets are set to rise ahead of key economic releases from China. Compared to a low base seen in April a year ago, market watchers are largely expecting a rebound in growth. In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite and the Shenzhen Component saw their best days since May 8 and March 20, respectively. South Korea's Kospi and Kosdaq also saw gains on Tuesday, advancing 0.66% and 0.75% respectively, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.15%.

Asia-Pacific markets are trading mixed after two out of three major U.S. indexes recorded a second straight week of losses, fueled by concern over the U.S. debt ceiling and disappointing economic data. U.S. President Joe Biden and congressional leaders postponed a meeting set for Friday to the following week. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 opened marginally lower, along with South Korea's Kospi and Kosdaq, which lost 0.24% and 1.02% respectively. Japan's Nikkei 225 was up 0.51%, with the Topix also 0.5% higher on Monday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index looks set for a lower open, with contracts tied to the index at 19,421 compared to the HSI's last close of 19,627.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 closed 0.4% higher, with banks higher by 0.8% and oil and gas stocks gaining 1.5%. European stock markets closed higher Friday despite a downbeat week, as investors assessed the state of play across first-quarter earnings and economic data. France's Societe Generale beat first-quarter earnings estimates, as its shares climbed as much as 2%. Shares of the financial services provider closed 0.5% higher. Asia-Pacific markets closed mixed on Friday, while U.S. stocks were flat by the European close.

(Photo by Marc Fernandes/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Asia-Pacific markets are trading mixed after the U.S. posted more data that showed inflation was easing. The producer price index for April, posted a year-on-year increase of 0.2%, against a Dow Jones estimate for 0.3% and after declining 0.4% in March. In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite fell 1.12% and closed at 3,272.36, dragged lower by in academic and educational services stocks. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index also fell 0.7% ahead of its first-quarter GDP figures. The Topix also climbed 0.64% and ended at 2,096.39, led by health care and utilities stocks.

☆ European stocks set for higher open as markets digest latest U.S. inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

European markets are heading for a higher open as international investors continue to digest the latest U.S. inflation figures. Regional markets were flat Wednesday afternoon after U.S. data showed inflation rose 4.9% in April from a year ago, which was less than expected. Analysts polled by Dow Jones expected a 0.4% month-over-month increase in inflation and a 5% rise from a year ago. Analysts expect the central bank to hike borrowing costs for the 12th consecutive meeting, with analysts widely expecting a 25 basis point rate hike to 4.5% in May. Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed overnight, while U.S. stock futures remained relatively flat on Wednesday night as investors look toward Thursday's U.S. producer price index report.

SHANGHAI, CHINA - MARCH 7, 2023 - The Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, Jinmao Tower and World Financial Center are seen on Lujiazui Street, Shanghai, China, March 7, 2023. Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed after Wall Street saw a tech rally as U.S. consumer price index rose less than expected for April. The consumer price index showed a reading of 4.9%, slightly less than the 5% gain anticipated by economists polled by Dow Jones. Investors in Asia will be closely watching the inflation print from China for April as well later Thursday, forecasted to come in at 0.3%, according to a Reuters poll of economists. Futures tied to Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 19,725, lower than the HSI's last close of 19,762.

☆ Asia markets set to fall as investors await key U.S. inflation numbers
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Asia-Pacific markets fell on Wednesday as investors look ahead to U.S. inflation figures for clues on the path ahead for inflation and by extension, the U.S. Federal Reserve's moves. Economists polled by Dow Jones expect inflation to have increased 0.4% month-over-month in April, and 5% year-over-year. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.31%, after the country delivered its budget Tuesday night. Mitsubishi Corp recorded record earnings for a second-straight year, with net profit coming in above 1 trillion yen for the first time at 1.18 trillion yen ($8.72 billion)South Korea's Kospi inched down 0.14%, while the Kospi bucked the wider downtrend and gained 0.3%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index looks set to extend its Tuesday losses, with futures tied to the Hang Seng trading at 19,850 compared with its last close of 19,867.58.

☆ European markets head for positive open as investors await U.S. inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

European markets are set to open in positive territory as investors look ahead to the latest U.S. inflation data and how it could affect the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary policy. April's consumer price index, due out Wednesday, should offer more insight into whether the Fed's rate hikes are working to ease sticky prices. Analysts polled by Dow Jones are expecting a 0.4% month-over-month increase in inflation and a 5% rise from a year ago. Asia-Pacific markets fell on Wednesday ahead of the data release, while U.S. stock futures were flat in overnight trading.

☆ European markets head for higher open as investors look ahead to U.S. inflation reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

European markets are heading for a positive open Tuesday, with U.K. financial markets reopening after a public holiday. Global investors are focused on U.S. inflation data due out this week; the consumer price index for April is published Wednesday and the producer price index on Thursday. S&P 500 futures were little changed Monday night as investors looked ahead to the inflation reports while Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed as China's trade surplus beat expectations.

A general view of the container terminal in Qianwan of Qingdao Port, a port in Shandong Province, China, March 17, 2023. Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed ahead of China's April trade data release as well as U.S. inflation reports later this week. China is projected to record a trade surplus of $74.3 billion, lower than the $88.2 billion in March, according to a Reuters poll. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.33% and South Korea's Kospi was 0.21% down, with the Kosdaq also shedding 0.39%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 20,222, signaling a lower open compared with its last close of 20,297.03.

☆ European stocks rise to start the week as traders digest rate hikes; FTSE closed
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Matt Clinch | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON – European indexes started the trading week on a stronger footing, with traders looking ahead to more corporate earnings, economic data and a Bank of England rate decision this week. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 will be closed Monday for a public holiday after the coronation of King Charles III. Market players have spent weeks juggling concerns over inflation and interest rates, with the Bank of England due for a rate-setting meeting on Thursday. Both the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank hiked rates by a quarter of a percentage point last week, with many now expecting the former to start cutting rates at some point during the summer. Minutes from Japan's March monetary policy meeting showed board members were concerned over inflation accelerating at a higher-than-expected pace.

Asia-Pacific markets are trading mixed on Monday after Wall Street snapped a four-day losing streak Friday. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 opened 0.47% higher, while in South Korea, the Kospi rose 0.62% and the Kosdaq was up 0.76%. Japan's Nikkei 225 sunk 0.46% in early trade, while the Topix reversed earlier losses and gained 0.15%. Au Jibun bank is slated to release private surveys on its services purchasing managers index for Japan later Monday, as well as its composite purchasing managers index. Futures tied to Hong Kong's Hang Seng index point to a lower open for the index, trading at 19,984 compared to its last close of 20,049.31.

The full moon, otherwise known as a strawberry supermoon, is seen over the Skyline of the CBD in Sydney, Australia June 15, 2022. Asia-Pacific markets fell as banking fears were reignited on Wall Street, sending the three major U.S. indexes into a four day losing streak. Regional bank shares sold off, with the SPDR S&P Regional Bank ETF (KRE) dropping more than 5% and some banks seeing volatile trading. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 19,904, pointing to a lower open compared to its last close of 19,948.73. China's Caixin services purchasing managers index for April will be published later today, a day after the Caixin manufacturing PMI fell into contraction territory.

The US Federal Reserve Building is seen in Washington, DC, May 3, 2023. However, the Fed did hint at a possible pause to hikes. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.24%, ahead of the country's March trade data due later Wednesday. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index were also lower standing at 19,656, compared to its last close of 19,699.16. Mainland Chinese markets are set to reopen after the Labor Day holiday, while Japanese markets are closed for a holiday Thursday.

Asia-Pacific markets are set to fall Wednesday as investors look ahead to the U.S Federal Reserve's policy decision due out early Thursday morning in Asia. A Reuters poll found 94 out of 105 economists said they expect the Fed to hike rates by 25 basis points, with the remainder forecasting a pause. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 opened 0.21% lower, while South Korea's Kospi dropped 0.55% and the Kosdaq saw a larger loss, falling 0.85%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index is also set for a lower open, with futures tied to the index standing at 19,624 compared to its last close of 19,933.81. Markets in Japan and mainland China are closed for a holiday Wednesday.

A pedestrian passes the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) building in Sydney, Australia, on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021. Asia-Pacific markets are largely higher as most markets reopen after the long Labor Day weekend. For Tuesday, investors will be closely watching Australia's central's bank to see if it will continue to hike interest rates, having held the benchmark policy rate at 3.6% in their last meeting. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 was 0.15% lower as investors await the country's central bank decision on whether it will continue to hike rates. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.74%, while the Kosdaq climbed 0.75% after the country saw its inflation rate slow to a 14-month low of 3.7%.

☆ European markets head for mixed open as investors look to upcoming Fed meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

European markets are heading for a mixed open Tuesday, with investors awaiting the start of the U.S. Federal Reserve's latest monetary policy meeting. Members of the Federal Open Market Committee will begin their policy meeting Tuesday, with an announcement on interest rates and a subsequent press conference expected Wednesday. U.S. stock futures were modestly lower Monday night as investors prepared for the Fed's May meeting to kick off. Asia-Pacific markets were trading mixed on Tuesday as most markets returned after the long Labor Day weekend. In Europe Tuesday, investors will be keeping a close eye on the latest inflation data for the euro zone in April for the latest gauge of the region's economic health.

Search resuls for: "Pacific Market"

25 mentions found