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(Photo by Ed JONES / AFP)Hong Kong's Hang Seng index led losses in Asia on Thursday, falling about 2% to close at 18,746.92 — the lowest level this year. Mainland Chinese markets also fell, with the Shanghai Composite down 0.11% to finish at 3,201.26, its lowest close in over four months. The Shenzhen Component closed 0.22% lower at 10,896.48 in its third straight day of losses. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 declined 1.07% to end at 7,136.9 and record its fourth straight day of losses. The index also hit its lowest level in about two months.

Persons: Ed JONES, Hong, Australia's Organizations: Lotte, Shenzhen Component, Bank of Korea, Nikkei Locations: Seoul, AFP, Asia, Shanghai, Pacific, Japan

☆ 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.

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.

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.

(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.

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.

☆ Asian stocks edge lower amid gloomy China data as US CPI looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

TOKYO, May 9 (Reuters) - Asian stocks eased back from more than two-week highs on Tuesday as traders squared positions heading into a key U.S. inflation report, while gloomy Chinese trade data also kept risk sentiment in check. Mainland Chinese blue chips (.CSI300) turned lower after early gains, with the benchmark CSI 300 dropping 0.8%. "So when you have some trend data which is not as good as people expect, it raises doubts," he said. "The surprise lies on the downside" for the inflation data, particularly the risk of a drop below 5%, said Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG markets. Brent crude was down 30 cents at $76.71 and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 26 cents to $72.90.

☆ Asian stocks edge lower, dollar firm as US inflation data looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS), though, slipped 0.3%, erasing part of Monday's 0.9% rally. Hong Kong's Hang Seng (.HSI) dropped 0.4%, while Australia's benchmark (.AXJO) lost 0.2% and South Korea's Kospi declined 0.4%. Investors were mostly unmoved by Chinese data showing exports surged last month while imports eased. "The surprise lies on the downside" for the inflation data, particularly the risk of a drop below 5%, said Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG markets. The dollar index , which measures the currency against six major peers, was little changed after earlier rising overnight from near the bottom of its trading range since the middle of last month.

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.

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 company did not specify how much it expects its second-quarter refining margin, a key profit metric for refiners, to be. The company posted operating profit of 375 billion won ($281.6 million) for the first quarter ended March, versus 1.6 trillion won a year earlier. In March, Ford Motor, which uses batteries from SK On, recalled 18 electric trucks due to a battery cell manufacturing defect. SK On currently has battery joint ventures with Ford and Hyundai Motor Group in the United States. Shares of SK Innovation were trading up 0.5% in morning trade, versus a 0.3% fall in the broader KOSPI index (.KS11).

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%.

New Governor of Bank of Japan Kazuo Ueda waits for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on April 10, 2023. Asia-Pacific markets largely rose on Friday after the Bank of Japan kept its monetary policy unchanged in the first monetary policy meeting chaired by new governor Kazuo Ueda. Japanese markets were all higher and led gains in the region, with the Nikkei 225 closing 1.4% higher at 28,856.44 following the central bank's decision and the Topix rose 1.23% to end the day at 2057,48. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index climbed 0.42% in its final hour, while the Hang Seng Tech index jumped 1.12%. In mainland China, the Shenzhen Component ticked up 1.08% to end at 11,338.67 and the Shanghai Composite rose 1.14% to close at 3,323.27.

☆ Asia markets lower as new Bank of Japan chief chairs first policy meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A Japanese national flag flies outside the Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, on Sept. 27, 2021. The Japanese central bank has for years adopted ultra-easy monetary policy in a bid to achieve its ever elusive inflation target. Asia-Pacific market were lower on Thursday as investors focus on the Bank of Japan's first policy meeting led by new BOJ governor Kazuo Ueda. Ueda is expected to maintain the ultra loose monetary policy of predecessor Haruhiko Kuroda for now, but expectations are that he will plot a path out of this policy in the future, according to media reports. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index also seems set for a lower open as futures tied to the index traded at 19,735, compared to the 19,757 close on Wednesday.

☆ Korea’s Stock Market Shines Even as Economy Dims
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Frances Yoon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Inside a dealing room at Hana Bank in Seoul on April 25. Photo: yonhap/ShutterstockShould a slowing economy lead to a weak stock market? Not judging by the performance of South Korea’s benchmark index this year. The country’s stock market is the best performer in Asia and one of the top indexes in the world so far this year. The Kospi Composite Index has risen more than 11% since Jan. 1, fueled by a rally in the shares of big technology companies like Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc., which together account for a fifth of the index.

☆ Why Korea Is Beating Other Asian Stock Markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Frances Yoon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

South Korea’s stock market is the best performer in Asia and one of the top indexes in the world so far this year. Photo: yonhap/ShutterstockShould a slowing economy lead to a weak stock market? Not judging by the performance of South Korea’s benchmark index this year. The country’s stock market is the best performer in Asia and one of the top indexes in the world so far this year. The Kospi Composite Index has risen more than 11% since Jan. 1, fueled by a rally in the shares of big technology companies such as Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc., which together account for a fifth of the index.

[1/2] Electric power transmission pylon miniatures and LG Energy Solution logo are seen in this illustration taken, December 9, 2022. LG Energy Solution (LGES) reported an operating profit of 633 billion won ($472.6 million) for the January-March period, up 145% from 259 billion won a year earlier. When asked about rival Chinese battery makers' efforts to enter the U.S. market, LGES Chief Financial Officer Lee Chang-sil said the company would maintain its competitive position in the U.S. LG Energy Solution's revenue for the quarter doubled to 8.7 trillion won, LG Energy said in a regulatory filing. Shares of LG Energy Solution (LGES), carved out of LG Chem Ltd (051910.KS) last year, rose as much as 2.4% in morning trade, outpacing a flat broader KOSPI market (.KS11).

☆ Asia markets mixed as Wall Street banking fears reignite
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Asia-Pacific markets were trading mixed on Wednesday after banking fears were reignited on Wall Street. Investors were also watching Australia's inflation numbers for the first quarter of 2023, which slowed to 7% year-on-year, down from a 23-year high of 7.8% the previous quarter. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 fell 0.71% to end the day at 28,416.47 , and the Topix dropped 0.89% to finish at 2,023.9. Mainland Chinese markets ended mixed, with the Shenzhen Component up 0.33% to finish at 11,185.68 and the Shanghai Composite closing 0.02% lower at 3,264.1 . Hong Kong's Hang Seng index climbed 0.7% up, while the Hang Seng Tech index rose 1.32%.

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