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☆ Japan's Nikkei falls over 2% amid suspected yen intervention; U.S. inflation cools more than expected
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-12 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Early Friday, the yen also suddenly strengthened against the dollar after the U.S. inflation data release, prompting analysts and traders to suspect a possible intervention from the country's ministry of finance. The yen traded at 158.55 against the U.S. dollar at roughly 12 a.m. Tokyo time after trading around 161.52 late Thursday. The currency strengthened further against the greenback, currently standing at 158.23. On Friday, Japan's top currency diplomat Masato Kanda said that authorities will take action as needed in the foreign exchange market. Reuters also reported that Kanda said recent yen moves were somewhat rapid, but declined to comment on whether authorities had intervened in the currency.

Persons: Masato Kanda, Kanda Organizations: Federal Reserve, U.S, greenback, Reuters Locations: Asia, Pacific, U.S, Tokyo

☆ Japan's Nikkei smashes past 42,000 mark to all-time high; Asia-Pacific markets climb on tech rally and rate cut hopes
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Commercial and residential buildings are illuminated at dawn in Seoul, South Korea, on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Japan's Nikkei 225 surged to a fresh high on Thursday, crossing the 42,000 mark for the first time. Other Asia-Pacific markets rose on the back of a U.S. Big Tech rally and greater confidence on Federal Reserve rate cuts. Chip stocks were among the biggest winners of the U.S. trading session. In Asia, investors will be watching for any spillover optimism in the region's tech stocks, particularly in Japan, where chip related companies have lifted the Nikkei 225 to record highs.

Persons: Topix Organizations: Nikkei, Big Tech, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Qualcomm, Broadcom, Bank of Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Asia, Pacific, U.S, Japan

☆ Japan is worried about another 'transactional' Trump presidency, Tokyo-based expert says
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

However, following the recent turmoil in Biden's party, Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party is now reappraising the odds of a "Trump 2.0 presidency." "I think the issue with Trump, he's very transactional, he's not very predictable. If you're Japan, they're looking at the future and wondering, 'this could be a fascinating few years for for us.'" Collateral damageA Trump presidency is concerning to Tokyo because Japan suffered from "collateral damage" during his first term, Pesek said. "Now Japan has to, in many ways, go back to the drawing board, and at least begin bracing for a Trump 2.0 presidency, which is not going down very well [in Tokyo]."

Persons: Shinz Abe, Donald Trump, Cheriss, Donald Trump's, William Pesek, Joe Biden's, Pesek, Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Trump, CEPR, He's Organizations: White, Washington , D.C, NurPhoto, Democratic, Liberal Democratic Party, Trump, Economic, Research Locations: Washington ,, Japan, Tokyo, Asia, China, North America

☆ Shares of Stellar Blade maker Shift Up surge almost 50% on trading debut
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Game developer Shift Up is known for its mobile and computer games that include Goddess of Victory: Nikke and console game Stellar Blade. Shares of South Korean video game developer Shift Up spiked almost 50% as the company debuted on the Kospi on Thursday. The company sold 7.25 million shares in its IPO, raising 435 billion won or about $315.56 million. This is South Korea's largest IPO since the debut of maintenance and repair firm HD Hyundai Marine Solution in May. Shift Up also makes the free-to-play game Goddess of Victory: Nikke, released in 2022.

Persons: Tae Kim Organizations: Korea Exchange, South Korean, Hyundai, PlayStation Locations: Seoul, South Korea, U.S

☆ Asia-Pacific markets slip as investors assess Japan inflation data; China CPI in focus
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-10 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Asia-Pacific markets started Wednesday lower, even as key Wall Street benchmarks rose following dovish comments from U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell overnight. Powell signaled caution over leaving interest rates at too high a level, saying that "reducing policy restraint too late or too little could unduly weaken economic activity and employment." Over in Asia, investors will assess inflation data from China and Japan, with China releasing its consumer and producer prices data for June. Japan's corporate goods price index rose to 2.9% in June from a year earlier, in line with expectations and climbing at a faster pace compared to a revised 2.6% in May. The CGPI measures the price changes of goods traded within the corporate sector.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Powell Organizations: U.S . Federal, PPI Locations: Asia, Pacific, U.S, China, Japan

☆ 'Don't get tired': Samsung Electronics workers extend strike indefinitely, say chip production disrupted
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-10 | by ( Sheila Chiang | In Sheilachiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Workers at South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics will extend an unprecedented strike over pay and benefits "indefinitely," its labor union said in a statement on Wednesday. This is the first strike by the labor union in Samsung Electronics' entire 55-year history, according to local media. "The company remains committed to engaging in good faith negotiations with the union," Samsung said. The NSEU, which extended the strike saying Samsung management was not keen on holding discussions, asserted the strike had disrupted chip production. Samsung Electronics is the world's largest maker of memory chips, commonly found in consumer devices such as smartphones and laptops.

Persons: Samsung, Yonhap, – CNBC's Lim Hui Jie Organizations: National Samsung Electronics Union, Workers, South, Samsung Electronics, Samsung, Hyundai Motor, Korean Locations: Hwaseong, South Korean

☆ Singapore state investor Temasek to focus on early adopters of AI in the U.S.; cautious on China
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Singapore's Temasek said Tuesday most of its investment capital will keep going into the U.S. with the state investment company focusing on the early adopters of AI among traditional industries in the country. Temasek, which did not give an exact breakdown of its exposure to U.S. assets, said Americas region constituted 22% of its portfolio. The firm, whose portfolio value rose by nearly 2% to $389 billion Singapore dollars ($288 billion) in its financial year ended March, added that it was cautious on the Chinese market. Overall, Temasek will maintain a cautious approach and will continue to monitor government policies in the world's second largest economy, the state investor said. Chinese assets made up 19% of Temasek's portfolio, down from 22% in the 2023 financial year.

Persons: Rohit Sipahimalani, Chia, Hwee Organizations: Singapore's Temasek, CNBC, Temasek, Singapore, Companies Locations: U.S, Americas, China

☆ Stephen King, Sarah Jessica Parker and More Share Their Top Books of the 21st Century
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-08 | by ( The New York Times Books Staff | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +26 min

To determine the best books of the 21st century , The New York Times Book Review and The Upshot polled hundreds of literary luminaries. Stephen King Stephen King has written more than 60 books, many of which have been adapted for film and television. Min Jin Lee Min Jin Lee has written two novels: FREE FOOD FOR MILLIONAIRES and PACHINKO, which was one of The Times’s 10 Best Books of 2017. Scott Turow Scott Turow is an attorney and writer best known for legal thrillers like PRESUMED INNOCENT and THE BURDEN OF PROOF. DU BOIS, was one of The Times’s 10 Best Books of 2021.

Persons: Stephen King Stephen King, ”, Ian McEwan ●, Christine Falls, Benjamin Black ●, Donna Tartt, Gillian Flynn ●, Cormac McCarthy ●, Margaret Atwood ●, Sarah Waters ●, Philip Roth ●, Viet Thanh Nguyen, “, Stephen King, Min Jin Lee Min Jin Lee, Anthony Doerr ●, Katherine Boo ●, Colm Tóibín ●, Julie Otsuka ● “, Tara Westover ● “, Matthew Desmond ● “, Marilynne Robinson, Edward P, Jones, Barbara Ehrenreich ●, Phil Klay Karl Ove Knausgaard Karl Ove Knausgaard, Roberto Bolaño ● “, Maggie Nelson ● “, Elena Ferrante ● “, Ben Marcus ● “, Emmanuel Carrère ●, Kazuo Ishiguro ●, Claire Keegan ● “, Peter Handke ●, Denis Johnson ●, Svetlana Alexievich, Bonnie Garmus Bonnie Garmus, Barnes, Nehisi Coates, Barbara Kingsolver ●, Tara Westover, Matt Ridley ●, Harry Potter, Prince, Rowling ●, Dave Eggers ●, Henry David Thoreau, Laura Dassow, Ben Rice ●, Colson Whitehead ●, Timothy Egan Nana Kwame Adjei ‑ Brenyah Nana Kwame Adjei ‑, ZZ Packer, Diana Khoi Nguyen, “ Greenwood, Michael Christie, Solmaz Sharif, Min Jin Lee ● “, George Saunders ● “, Jesmyn Ward, Ted Chiang ●, George Saunders ●, Colson Whitehead, Chimamanda Ngozi, Edwidge Danticat, Aracelis Girmay, Natsuo Kirino, Roberto Bolaño ●, Francisco Goldman ●, Paul Beatty Sarah Jessica Parker Sarah Jessica Parker, Tayari Jones, Sting, Paul Murray ●, Megha Majumdar ●, Anthony Marra ●, Jonathan Franzen ●, Donna Tartt ●, Janika Oza, Patrick Radden Keefe, Sonali Deraniyagala James Patterson James Patterson, Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, J.D . Barker, Stephen King ● “, Markus Zusak ●, Tara Westover ●, Stieg Larsson, Gillian Flynn, Rowling, Anthony Bourdain ●, Keith Richards, James Fox ●, Dennis Lehane ●, Laura Hillenbrand Elin Hilderbrand Elin Hilderbrand, “ Alice, Oliver, Charles Bock ●, Curtis Sittenfeld, Tim Winton ●, Lily King ● “, Anna Quindlen ●, Lauren Groff ● “, Maggie O'Farrell, Raven Leilani, Erin Morgenstern Annette Gordon ‑ Reed Annette Gordon, Reed, Siddhartha Mukherjee, Annette Gordon, Reed ●, Henrietta, Rebecca Skloot ●, Louis Menand ●, Isabel Wilkerson ●, Hilary, Rebecca Roanhorse Rebecca Roanhorse, Hugo, Ann Leckie ● “, Ted Chiang ● “, Kim Stanley Robinson ●, Stephen Graham Jones ●, Ken Liu ●, Djèlí Clark ●, Louise Erdrich ●, Theodore Sturgeon Marlon James Marlon James, Booker, Maria McCann ● “, Bird, James McBride ●, Alan Hollinghurst ●, Min Jin Lee ●, Skippy, Patrick French Roxane Gay Roxane Gay, Michael Chabon ●, Alicia Erian ●, Bernardine Evaristo, Kiese Laymon, Carmen Maria Machado ●, Zadie Smith, Emma Donoghue ●, Ann Patchett Jonathan Lethem Jonathan Lethem, Eugene Lim ●, Olga Ravn ●, Percival Everett ●, Keith Ridgway ●, Renee Gladman ●, Lydia Millet ● “, Helen DeWitt ● “, Robin McLean ●, Christopher Sorrentino Sarah MacLean Sarah MacLean, Angelina M, Lopez ● “, Lisa Kleypas ●, Jennifer Crusie ●, Circe, Madeline Miller, Kresley Cole ●, Beverly Jenkins ● “ Georgie, Kate Clayborn ● “ Hana Khan, Uzma Jalaluddin, Milla Vane ● “, Sherry Thomas Ed Yong Ed Yong, Bel Canto, Ann Patchett, Nana Kwame Adjei, Abed Salama, Nathan Thrall, Mohsin Hamid ● “, Helen Macdonald ● “, Jenny Odell ●, Julie Otsuka, Amal El, Max Gladstone ●, Hernan Diaz, Thomas Chatterton Williams Thomas Chatterton Williams, Hagar's, Jones ●, Catherine Lacey ● “, Dana Spiotta, Joan Silber ● “ Malcolm X, Manning Marable, Alice Munro ●, Hua Hsu, Veronica, Mary Gaitskill ●, Isabel Wilkerson Paul Tremblay Paul Tremblay, Mark Z, Joker, Kaoru Takamura ●, Benjamín Labatut, Stephen Graham Jones, Mariana Enriquez ●, Sara Levine ●, Colson Whitehead Nick Hornby Nick Hornby, Michael Chabon, David Kynaston ●, Billy Lynn's, Ben Fountain ●, Richard Russo, Olive Kitteridge, Elizabeth Strout ●, Mark Harris ●, Adrian Nicole LeBlanc ●, Scott Turow Scott Turow, Sam Quinones ● “, Elena Ferrante, Ann Goldstein, ●, Timothy Snyder ●, Adam Johnson ●, Ann Goldstein ●, Daniel Kahneman ● “, Daniel Alarcón Daniel Alarcón, Oscar Wao, Junot Díaz, Claudia Rankine, Jones ● “, Adrian Nicole LeBlanc ● “, Patrick Radden Keefe Honorée Fanonne Jeffers Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, Victor Luckerson ●, Alice Walker ●, Toni Morrison ●, Toni Morrison ● “, Ibram X, Tiya Miles ●, Isabel Wilkerson Lucy Sante Lucy Sante, Uwe Johnson, Damion Searls, Jeremiah Moss ●, Sigrid Nunez ●, Ian Penman, Mike DeCapite ●, Rachel Kushner ●, Ed Park ●, Svetlana Alexievich Gary Shteyngart Gary Shteyngart, Pitchaya Sudbanthad, Amy Hempel, Amy Hempel ● “, Colm Tóibín, Joseph O’Neill ●, Rachel Cusk ●, Tony Judt ●, Isabel Wilkerson Anand Giridharadas Anand Giridharadas, Jane Mayer ●, Andrew Solomon ● “, Hanya Yanagihara, Suketu Mehta, Karl Ove Knausgaard ●, Asne Seierstad, Joan Didion Jessamine Chan Jessamine, Barack Obama, Tang, Chloé Cooper Jones, Andrea Elliott ● “, Jenny Erpenbeck, Lauren Groff ●, Cathy Park Hong, Sheila Heti ●, Dorothy Roberts Michael Robbins Michael Robbins, Michael Robbins, Kristin Ross ●, Lauren Berlant, Andreas Malm ●, Anahid Nersessian, “ Lila, Mike Davis ●, Chelsey Minnis, Fred Moten ●, Mary Gaitskill Alma, Alma Katsu, Jonathan Strange, Norrell, Susanna Clarke ● “, Sarah Waters, Julie Otsuka ●, Audrey Niffenegger ●, Megan Abbott Megan Abbott, Edgar, Joyce Carol Oates, Kate Atkinson ●, Robert Kolker ●, Oyinkan Braithwaite ●, Daniel Woodrell ●, Joan Didion Joshua Ferris Joshua Ferris, Hemingway, Anne Enright, Patricia Lockwood ●, Paul Harding ●, Ann Napolitano Ann Napolitano, David Mitchell ●, Yaa Gyasi, Emily St, John Mandel ●, John Irving John Irving, OWEN MEANY, John Boyne, Paul Theroux, Abraham Verghese ●, James Salter ●, Nix, Nathan Hill, Edmund White ●, Peter Matthiessen ●, Michael Ondaatje ●, Jeanette Winterson Tiya Miles Tiya Miles, Frederick Douglass, David W, Blight, Andrew Sean Greer ●, Michael Pollan ●, Dara Horn ●, Stephen Greenblatt ●, Jami Attenberg Jami Attenberg, Ada Limón ●, Jonathan Franzen, Alison Bechdel, Sloane Crosley, Alexander Chee ●, Patti Smith ●, Morgan Parker ●, Sara Novic Stephen L, Carter Stephen L, Carter, Deirdre McCloskey ●, Mohsin Hamid ●, Virginia Postrel, Umberto, Geraldine Brooks ●, Richard Powers ●, Jane Brox ●, David Bentley Hart, Lesley Nneka Arimah, Sarah Schulman Sarah Schulman, Mattilda Bernstein, Natasha Trethewey ●, Adania Shibli, Ned Blackhawk ●, Stephanie E, Rogers, Martha S, Steven W, Raja Shehadeh ●, Hugh Ryan Elizabeth Hand Elizabeth Hand, Rene Denfeld ●, Henry Darger, John M, MacGregor ● “, Dan Chaon ● “ James Tiptree Jr, Julie Phillips ●, Kelly Link, Morgan Talty ●, Robert Macfarlane ●, William Gibson Dion Graham Dion Graham, Jonathan Eig’s, Colson Whitehead’s CROOK, Omar El Akkad, Wolf, Marlon James ● “, Winfred Rembert, Cixin Liu ● “, Dave Eggers ● “, George Floyd, Robert Samuels, Toluse, Jonathan Eig ●, Jonathan Eig ● “ Washington, Jeremy Denk Jeremy Denk, David Foster Wallace ●, Jeff, Geoff Dyer ●, Hanif Abdurraqib, Elif Batuman, Alex Ross ●, Kate Molleson Morgan Jerkins Morgan Jerkins, Zora Neale Hurston, Haruki Murakami ●, Masha Gessen ●, Safiya Sinclair ● “, Carmen Maria Machado ● “, Imani Perry, Jesmyn Ward Michael Roth Michael Roth, Amy Bloom, Saidiya Hartman, Valeria Luiselli ●, Jon Fosse, Daniel Kahneman ●, Ben Lerner ●, Jennifer Egan Organizations: New York, Argonauts, J.K, Railroad, Corrections, ”, A.M, Harvard University, OF, Metaphysical, Suns, Ministry, Indians, The New York Times, Hawthorn, Child, Roberto Bolaño ● “, New Yorker, NPR, University of Oklahoma, DU BOIS, PEN, “, Yale Law School, THE, Umberto Eco, Beginners, MacArthur Foundation, Wesleyan University, Topeka School Locations: ”, Brooklyn, Norwegian, Ben Marcus ● “ The, Nantucket, OF MONTICELLO, Monticello, “, BROOKLYN, Britain, Jones ● “ Lincoln, Feral, Bangkok, Susanna Clarke ● “ Lincoln, Burma, Texas, Jonathan Eig ● “, “ Austerlitz, Venice, Death, Varanasi, America, Lorraine

☆ Asia-Pacific markets open mixed as investors await U.S. and China inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-08 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Asia-Pacific markets opened mixed on Monday as investors awaited key economic data from the U.S. and China later this week, while election results in France overnight signaled a hung parliament. France's left-wing New Popular Front coalition on Sunday unexpectedly thwarted a far-right advance, clinching the largest number of seats but falling short of an absolute majority in a parliamentary run-off vote. Investors await the U.S. consumer price index reading, due Thursday stateside, to assess the Federal Reserve's interest rate path, while China's inflation figures on Wednesday will signal the state of the country's economic recovery. Central bank decisions from South Korea, New Zealand and Malaysia will also be announced this week, although no changes are expected, according to a Reuters poll of economists.

Persons: France's Organizations: Popular Front, Sunday Locations: Asia, Pacific, U.S, China, France, Central, South Korea, New Zealand, Malaysia

☆ CNBC Daily Open: French left-wing shock victory, Boeing guilty plea
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-08 | by ( Abid Ali | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. However, recent profit-taking and valuation concerns led to a pullback and a rare downgrade from a Wall Street analyst. Get the CNBC Daily Open report in your inbox every morning and keep up to date with the markets wherever you are. Kolanovic wasn't the only Wall Street strategist to be caught out by the bull run — but rival banks have incrementally increased their calls.

Persons: Skydance, David Ellison, Marko Kolanovic, Kolanovic, Lori Calvasina, Calvasina, Tesla, Tom Narayan, Squawk, Narayan, Tom Sosnoff, Bill Ackman, Warren Buffett, Sosnoff, — CNBC's Pia Singh, Alex Harring, Holly Ellyatt, Ruxandra Iordache, Ryan Browne, Samantha Subin, Lim Hui Jie, Leslie Josephs Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, CNBC, Nvidia Nvidia, Wall, Paramount, Skydance Media, Paramount Global, Hollywood, Boeing, Justice Department, JPMorgan, RBC Capital Markets, RBC Locations: Hollywood

☆ Chinese millennials and Gen Zers have had enough of work, so they're embracing 'naked resignations'
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-06 | by ( Alexandra Bacon | Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Advertisement'Naked resignation'One popular phrase on Chinese social media is "两点一线," which translates to "two points, one line." And discussion is rife on Chinese social media about 裸辞 — a term that translates, quite literally, to "naked resignation." Examples seen in BI's search of the keyword included "how much to save before naked resignation," "three things to consider before naked resignation," and "20 jobs to try after naked resignation." Advertisement"There are articles on Chinese social media criticizing gap years," she said, "arguing that it is a Western concept that does not adapt well to Chinese society." "There's a popular internet buzzword among Chinese young people, "Gai溜子," which can be roughly translated to "drifter" on the street," Lim added.

Persons: —, Jack Porteous, Tong, Porteous, aren't, Laurence Lim, Sally Maier, Yip, Qilai Shen, Lim, It's, Jack Ma, Qu Jing, Jenny Chan, Gen, Gai 溜 Organizations: Service, Business, Tong Global, Twitter, Publishing, Getty, Cherry, Consulting, Pictures, National Bureau of Statistics, Baidu, Hong Kong Polytechnic University Locations: China, Weibo, Xiaohongshu, Europe

☆ Japan's stock markets keep testing new highs. Is the rally sustainable?
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

This week, the Nikkei and the broad-based Topix surpassed previous records to hit fresh all-time closing highs on Thursday. Earnings are the single driver to the current market rally, Jesper Koll, expert director at Tokyo-based financial services company Monex Group, told CNBC. watch nowJapan's largest union, commonly referred to as Rengo, announced that Japanese companies have delivered the largest wage hikes in 33 this year. Koll told CNBC this week: "I stand by my forecast — the Nikkei 225 is poised to climb to 55,000 before the end of next year." A note by Nomura, published Thursday, said the gains on the Nikkei and Topix do not look appear sustainable.

Persons: Richard A, Brooks, Jesper Koll, Koll, —, Rengo, Nomura Organizations: Tokyo Stock Exchange, Afp, Getty, Nikkei, Monex, CNBC, Japan's Locations: Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Japan

☆ Japan stocks extend rally to hit fresh all-time highs amid mixed Asia-Pacific markets
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | 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 were mostly up, with Japan's key benchmark hitting new highs on Friday, after scaling record peaks in the previous session. The broad-based Topix also extended its gains and advanced 0.06% to a fresh record high. Japan's household spending for May unexpectedly dipped 1.8% in real terms compared to the same period last year. Household spending data is a key metric for the Bank of Japan's to assess its goal of realizing a "virtuous cycle" of rising wages and prices.

Persons: Topix Organizations: Nikkei, Reuters, Bank of Japan's Locations: Tokyo, Asia, Pacific, Singapore

Asia-Pacific markets rose Thursday morning as Japan's Topix crossed its all-time high of 2,886.50, previously set in December 1989. The Topix jumped 0.56% in early morning trading, while the Nikkei 225 rose 0.55%. The Nikkei is less than 150 points from its all-time high of 40,888.43. Big firms with 300 or more union-backed employees raised wages by 5.19%, while smaller firms increased pay by 4.45%. Australia's trade surplus is expected to narrow to 6.3 billion Australian dollars ($4.23 billion) from about AU$ 6.5 billion.

Persons: Topix Organizations: Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Nikkei, Bank of Japan Locations: Asia, Pacific, Hong Kong

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 fell on Tuesday, despite gains on Wall Street that saw the Nasdaq Composite reached a new record on the strength of tech stocks. The index was led by gains in Microsoft , Apple and chipmaker Nvidia . It advanced 0.83% to end at 17,879.3. Traders in Asia are assessing South Korea's inflation numbers which came in at 2.4% for June, missing expectations by economists polled by Reuters who predicted a inflation rate of 2.7%.

Organizations: Lotte Corp, Nasdaq, Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia, Traders, Reuters Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Asia, Pacific

☆ Asia markets mixed as China manufacturing contracts again, Japan business confidence at 2-year high
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

SHANGHAI, CHINA - JANUARY 01: Sun rises over the Oriental Pearl Tower on New Year's Day on January 1, 2023 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)Asia-Pacific markets started the second half of the year mixed as investors assessed official June business activity data from China and Japan's business confidence readings. China released its official PMI figures on the weekend, with its manufacturing PMI coming in at 49.5, unchanged from May and marking its second straight month in contraction territory. Confidence among big Japanese manufacturers improved in the second quarter to a two-month high, with the Tankan survey at +13 compared to +11 in the first quarter. Separately, S&P Global purchasing managers' index readings will be out for several Asian economies, including China, Japan and South Korea.

Organizations: Getty Images, PMI, Reuters, P Global Locations: SHANGHAI, CHINA, Shanghai, China, Asia, Pacific, Japan, South Korea

☆ Taiwan tops Asia's best-performing stock markets so far in 2024 — Japan is No. 2
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

A screen displays stock figures at the Taiwan Stock Exchange Corp. headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan, on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. The Taiwan Weighted Index has surged 28% so far this year, powered by stocks along the AI value chain. While Taiwan may lead Asian markets, Japan seems to be the favored market going forward, among analysts who spoke to CNBC. While most Asian markets are in positive territory year-to-date, three stock markets — Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines — fell into negative territory. The CME FedWatch tool indicates that 61% of traders expect the Fed to cut rates by 25 basis points in the September meeting.

Persons: Foxconn —, Hai Precision Industry —, Rahul Ghosh, Rowe Price, Ghosh, Ben Powell, Powell, Neel Kashkari, Ken Orchard Organizations: Taiwan Stock Exchange Corp, Bloomberg, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp, Hai Precision Industry, Intelligence, Nikkei, CNBC, BlackRock Investment Institute, Bank of Japan, Federal, U.S, Fed, Minneapolis Federal Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Asia, Pacific, Japan, BlackRock, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Jakarta, Philippine, U.S

☆ Japanese yen weakens to fresh 38-year lows; top currency diplomat replaced
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty ImagesThe Japanese yen weakened to fresh 38-year lows on Friday, crossing the 161 mark against the dollar for the first time since 1986 and reaching a high of 161.27, according to LSEG data. The yen has been steadily deprecating since the Bank of Japan ended its negative interest rate policy and scrapped its yield curve control policy in March. Following the move, the currency crossed the 150 mark against the dollar, reaching 160 in late April before the country's finance ministry intervened. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart iconJapan's finance ministry confirmed that it intervened between April 26 to May 29 to the tune of 9.7885 trillion yen ($62.25 billion). The benchmark U.S. federal funds rate stands at 5.25% to 5.5%, while the Bank of Japan's benchmark interest rate is at 0%-0.1%.

Persons: Dong Chen, Dong Organizations: Currency Museum, Bank of Japan's Institute for Monetary, Economic Studies, Bank of Japan, Japan Ministry of Finance, U.S, Bank Locations: Asia, Swiss, Japan

☆ India set to see billions in inflows as government bonds debut on JPMorgan's debt index
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

India is set to see billions in inflows into the country's rupee-denominated government debt market, as state bonds make their debut on JPMorgan's emerging market index on Friday. This is reportedly the first time Indian government bonds have been included in a global index. India has seen foreign inflows to the tune of about $10 billion into its bond market over the past nine months since the announcement, Puneet Pal, head of fixed income at PGIM India Mutual Fund, told CNBC "Street Signs Asia." Last September, JPMorgan said the inclusion of Indian bonds in its Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets will be staggered over 10 months, starting from a 1% weightage in June to a maximum 10% in April next year. Pal said that over the medium- to long-term, the inclusion of Indian government bonds will have a positive impact across the bond markets.

Persons: Puneet Pal, Deepak Agrawal, Pal Organizations: PGIM India Mutual Fund, CNBC, JPMorgan, Government, Kotak Mutual Fund Locations: India

☆ Asia-Pacific markets rise as investors assess Japan economic data and await U.S. inflation reading
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Asia-Pacific markets climbed on Friday as investors assessed key economic data out of Japan and awaited U.S. inflation reading due later in the day. The core inflation rate —which strips out prices of fresh food — rose to 2.1% from 1.9% in May. Tokyo inflation data is widely considered to be a leading indicator for nationwide trends. The country's industrial production grew 2.8% month on month in May, beating expectations of 2% from economists polled by Reuters. On a year-on-year basis, industrial production rose 0.3%.

Persons: April's Organizations: Reuters Locations: Asia, Pacific, Japan, Tokyo, South Korea, Korea

☆ Yen weakens past 160 against the dollar, reigniting intervention speculation
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Persistent weakness in the yen is raising concerns about the potential for a resurgence in cost-push inflation, likely weighing on private consumption. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesThe Japanese yen hit a near-38 year low against the U.S. dollar late Wednesday, raising expectations that authorities could intervene in currency markets again. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart iconThe last time the yen crossed the 160 level, the currency subsequently strengthened sharply during the trading session, prompting analysts to speculate about an intervention. Japan's Ministry of Finance later confirmed the intervention in May, saying that it had spent 9.7885 trillion yen ($62.25 billion) on currency intervention between April 26 and May 29, according to a Google-translated statement. That was the first time that the Japanese government has undertaken such a market measure since October 2022, according to ministry records.

Organizations: National Printing Bureau, Bloomberg, Getty, U.S ., Japan's Ministry of Finance Locations: National Printing Bureau Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Employees work at the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), operated by Japan Exchange Group Inc. (JPX), in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Asia-Pacific markets opened lower on Thursday, as the Japanese yen weakened to a near 38-year low late Wednesday, hitting 160.82 against the U.S. dollar, according to FactSet data. The yen last breached the 160 level against the dollar two months ago, prompting the Japanese government to prop it up in the country's first currency intervention since 2022. Japan's year-on-year retail sales growth for May came in at 3%, higher than the market forecast of 2%, according to a Reuters poll of economists. Investors in Asia will also look toward China's May industrial profit numbers which will be released on Thursday.

Organizations: Tokyo Stock Exchange, Japan Exchange Group Inc, U.S ., Investors Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Asia, Pacific, Japan's

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☆ CoolApp: Cambodia’s WhatsApp-like messaging app critics fear could be used for state surveillance
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Cambodian strongman leader Hun Sen has thrown his weight behind a new homegrown messaging app, which critics say is a way for the government to monitor and undermine political discussion in the country. One of the world’s longest-serving leaders, Hun Sen has ruled Cambodia with an iron fist for more than three decades. Though his eldest son, Hun Manet, succeeded him as prime minister last year, Hun Sen remains the ruling party’s center of power. Greater online surveillanceInternet freedom in Cambodia has experienced a drastic regression under Hun Sen’s rule, rights groups say. CNN has reached out to Hun Sen’s office for comment.

Persons: Hun Sen, WhatsApp, ”, Vietnam’s, Hun Manet, Lim Cheavutha, Hun Sen’s, Hun, Mu Sochua, leader’s, China’s, “, Sam Rainsy, ” Sam Rainsy Organizations: CNN, Facebook, US State Department, United Nations, Meta, Reuters, Communist Party, CoolApp Locations: Cambodian, Cambodia, Southeast Asia

☆ U.S. ambassador accuses China of undermining bilateral ties, Wall Street Journal reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The U.S. ambassador to China Nicholas Burns attends the 10th World Peace Forum on July 4, 2022 in Beijing, China. The 10th World Peace Forum opened in Beijing on Sunday. The U.S. ambassador to China said Beijing is undermining ties between the two countries despite the agreement between the two sides to boost engagement, according to the Wall Street Journal. It comes as ties between the U.S. and China have somewhat warmed after Xi and Biden met in California on the sidelines of the APEC summit in November. Since then, Chinese officials have welcomed top American diplomats in Beijing, including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

Persons: China Nicholas Burns, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Nicholas Burns, Xi, Biden, Janet Yellen, State Anthony Blinken Organizations: Sunday, Wall Street, WSJ, U.S, APEC, State Locations: China, Beijing, U.S, California

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