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☆ 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

☆ Taiwan Stock Exchange CEO: We are confident in our capital markets
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailTaiwan Stock Exchange: We're confident in our capital markets no matter who next U.S. president isSherman Lim, chairman and CEO of the Taiwan Stock Exchange, discusses the exchange's outlook for the year.

Persons: Sherman Lim Organizations: Taiwan Stock Exchange

☆ 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

☆ Cloud seeding probably didn't cause Dubai's floods. The UAE has been trying to control its weather for years, and the US does it too.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Photos show how the UAE, United States, and other countries have been seeding clouds for decades. Historic floods in Dubai didn't come from cloud seeding, but humans' climate impacts are playing a role. Related storiesAccording to several scientists, cloud seeding isn't the driving force behind Dubai's historic floods. Packets of salt are pictured during a cloud seeding operation at a military airbase in Subang, Malaysia. The real threat behind Dubai's floodsMany atmospheric scientists have dismissed the idea that cloud seeding was behind Dubai's floods.

Persons: GIUSEPPE CACACE, Getty, Prometheus, Frankenstein —, Thomas Peipert, Al Hayer, Amr Alfiky, Andrea DiCenzo, Lim Huey Teng, there'd, Friederike Otto, John Marsham, Jeff Big Jeff, Gary Coronado, Marsham, Fred Greaves, Otto Organizations: Dubai didn't, Service, United Arab Emirates, United Arab, UAE, Reuters, National Center of Meteorology, United, UAE's National, of Meteorology, Militia, Imperial College London, Science Media, SMC, University of Leeds, Los Angeles Times, Getty, UAE isn't, National Park Service, AP Locations: UAE, United States, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Rocky, Lyons , Colorado, China, Australia, Al Ain, Utah, Dongkou county, Shaoyang, Hunan province, Subang, Malaysia, Bannon, Sacramento, , California, California's Sacramento County

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ Apple supplier Foxconn posts 9% fall in first-quarter revenue, sees growth ahead
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Pictured here is a Foxconn factory in Zhengzhou city on Sept. 4, 2021. Apple iPhone manufacturer Foxconn on Friday posted a dip of 9.6% in revenue for the first quarter of 2024, compared to the same period last year. The company, which trades as Hon Hai Precision Industry in Taiwan, recorded a first-quarter revenue of 1.32 trillion New Taiwan dollars ($41.2 billion), which was also 28.58% lower compared to the fourth quarter of last year. It was also below economists' expectations in an LSEG poll. However, the company expects revenue to grow in the second quarter, despite noting that it "remains a traditional off-peak season."

Organizations: Apple, Hai Precision Industry Locations: Zhengzhou, Taiwan

☆ Asia markets largely set to fall on fears the Fed could hold off interest rate cuts; oil soars
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Asia-Pacific markets were largely set to fall on Friday, mirroring moves on Wall Street after comments from U.S. Federal Reserve officials fueled worries that the central bank could hold off on rate cuts. Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari cast doubts on Thursday over the central bank cutting rates at all if inflation remained sticky. Oil prices continued to rise, with WTI crude surpassing $86 a barrel to test six-month highs. Brent crude prices also set a new six-month high of $90.65. S&P will also release its business activity numbers for Hong Kong, while the Reserve Bank of India will announce its rate decision later in the day.

Persons: Neel Kashkari Organizations: U.S . Federal Reserve, Minneapolis, Brent, Reuters, Reserve Bank of India Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Asia, Pacific, U.S, Hong Kong

☆ Malaysia emerges as a hotspot for semiconductor firms amid U.S.-China chip tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Sheila Chiang | In Sheilachiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

American chip giant Intel in December 2021 said it will invest more than $7 billion to build a chip packaging and testing factory in Malaysia, with production expected to begin in 2024. Malaysia holds 13% of the global market for chip packaging, assembly and testing services, said the Malaysian Investment Development Authority in a Feb. 18 report. Exports of semiconductor devices and integrated circuits increased by 0.03% to 387.45 billion Malaysian ringgit ($81.4 billion) in 2023, amid global chip demand weakness. Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association president Datuk Seri Wong Siew Hai said many Chinese firms diversified some of their production to Malaysia, calling the country China's "plus one." In the same month, the world's largest contract chip maker TSMC opened its first Japan factory as it diversifies away from Taiwan amid U.S.-China tensions.

Persons: Faris Hadziq, Kenddrick Chan, Aik Kean Chong, Intel's, Tan, Yinglan Tan, Datuk Seri Wong Siew Hai, Zafrul Aziz, TSMC, Ann Lim Organizations: Getty, Malaysia, LSE, London School of Economics, Political, Semiconductors, Intel, CNBC, Infineon, Ventures Partners, Malaysian Investment Development Authority, Malaysian, Malaysia Semiconductor Industry, U.S ., U.S, China -, Partnership Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, South, East Asia, China, U.S, American, Penang, Another U.S, Singapore, Europe, Kong, GlobalFoundries Singapore, Klang, India, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Washington, Asia, China - U.S

☆ Japan leads gains in Asia as investors assess Powell's comments; Hong Kong, China and Taiwan markets closed
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

People visit the Kartavya Path in the early evening in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. India has overtaken China as the world's most populous nation, according to UN data released on April 19. Photographer: Prashanth Vishwanathan/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets rebounded following a sell-off in the previous session, as investors digest comments from U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. In Asia, investors will assess March service sector activity data from India, as well as retail sales numbers from Hong Kong. Markets in Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan are closed for a public holiday.

Persons: Prashanth Vishwanathan, Jerome Powell, Powell Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty Images, U.S . Federal, Hong Kong . Markets Locations: New Delhi, India, China, Getty Images Asia, Pacific, U.S, Asia, Hong Kong, Taiwan

☆ Why Japan's 'shunto' wage hikes may not bring cheer to over 80% of its workers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Akihiko Matsuura, president of UA Zensen, center, raises his fist with members of the union during a rally for the annual wage negotiations in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, March 7, 2024. But will the "shunto" hikes really work for its legions of salarymen? However, headline inflation, which has been above the Bank of Japan's 2% target since April 2022, hits the entire population. This means that the generous pay raise negotiated by the unions leave out almost 84% of Japan's workforce. The recent wage negotiations are also likely to benefit mostly workers in large Japanese companies, while employees at small and medium enterprises might have to face rising prices without a commensurate hike to their salaries.

Persons: Akihiko Matsuura, Richard Kaye, Comgest, Japan Organizations: UA, Japanese Trade Union Confederation, Japan International Labour Foundation, Bank of Japan's, CNBC Locations: Tokyo, Japan

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