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☆ Oil prices slip even as Middle East tensions spike, as investors eye Fed meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

In an aerial view, the Valero Houston refinery seen on August 28, 2023 in Houston, Texas. Oil prices dipped even after Israel sent ground forces into the Gaza Strip, raising tensions in the Middle East, as investors closely monitor the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting later this week. He said the ground operations were "limited so far" and noted other macroeconomic concerns. Oil prices surged late Friday, with Brent jumping above $90 per barrel as Israel said its troops were ‘increasing the ground operation’ in Gaza as it seeks to eradicate the militant group Hamas. "While a major oil supply disruption is not our base case, the oil market last week became a little too complacent about the likelihood of a major Israeli ground incursion in Gaza, and the risk of a wider regional war," McNally continued.

Persons: Israel, Brent, Bob McNally, Benjamin Netanyahu, McNally Organizations: . Federal, U.S . West Texas, Rapidan Energy Group, CNBC, Hamas Locations: Valero Houston, Houston , Texas, Gaza, ., U.S, Israel

☆ Chevron and Exxon's latest buys could usher in a new era of oil megamergers
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Energy heavyweights Chevron and Exxon Mobil announced shiny new acquisitions this month — and some industry watchers say it could be the start of more multibillion megadeals to come. Chevron on Monday said it's buying Hess for $53 billion in stock, allowing Chevron to take a 30% stake in Guyana's Stabroek Block — estimated to hold some 11 billion barrels of oil. The announcement comes just weeks after Exxon Mobil announced its purchase of shale rival Pioneer Natural Resources for $59.5 billion in an all-stock deal. While this marks Exxon's largest deal since its acquisition of Mobil, the merger would also double the oil giant's production volume in the largest U.S. oilfield, the Permian Basin. "The big-money acquisition of Hess by Chevron accelerates the trend of consolidation and big-money deals," energy consultancy Rystad Energy said in a note.

Persons: it's, Hess Organizations: Energy, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Natural Resources, Mobil, Hess, Rystad Energy, Exxon, Pioneer Locations: Guyana

☆ U.S. and China commercial property markets face headwinds but UOB is optimistic on Southeast Asia
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Commercial real estate markets in the U.S. and China are economic pain points to monitor in a higher-for-longer rate environment, said Singapore's United Overseas Bank. But the bank remains optimistic about one key region. "The U.S. commercial real estate remains a hotspot, especially with the low occupancy rates that we have," Lee Wai Fai, chief financial officer of UOB told CNBC's "Street Signs Asia." "The other hotspots will be China, there [are] worries about the quality and whether they can manage the property uncertainty in China," he added. Lee added the world is heading into a more "uncertain environment" and the impact of higher-for-longer interest rates is starting to filter through the economy.

Persons: Lee Wai Fai, UOB, CNBC's, Lee Organizations: Singapore's United Overseas Bank Locations: U.S, China

☆ Beef prices are at record highs — how much pricier will your steak get?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Retail beef prices in the U.S. are at record highs, pushing up prices of beef-based products from burgers to steaks and steak tartare. Retail beef prices are currently hovering around record levels of about $8 per pound, according to data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). "All consumers will be paying more for all beef products for several more years," Wells Fargo's Chief Agricultural Economist Michael Swanson told CNBC via email. "As cattlemen retain cows to rebuild the herd, there is a much lower supply of cattle to provide beef," Swanson said. With elevated cow slaughter, has come tighter cattle supplies, and an expectation that domestic cattle supplies will remain tight into the future.

Persons: That's, Wells, Michael Swanson, Swanson, Brandon Bell, Brian Earnest, Adam Speck, Speck Organizations: Portland Press Herald, Getty, CNBC, United States Department of Agriculture, USDA, Gro Locations: U.S, Texas, Kansas, Quemado , Texas, Gro Intelligence's

☆ The climate crisis has a price — and it's $391 million a day
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Al Zulkifli | AFP | Getty ImagesDamage from the global climate crisis has amounted to $391 million per day over the past two decades, a report showed. "We find that US$143 billion per year of the costs of extreme events is attributable to climatic change. The research, however, notes that there is an underestimation of the true costs of climate change due to the difficulty of measuring indirect losses. They called for an increase in adaptation policies to minimize these climate-change attributed costs, such as the building of flood protection or improving early warning signal systems heralding extreme weather events. "The planet is far off track from meeting its climate goals," the WMO said in a September report, adding that rising global temperatures have been accompanied by more extreme weather.

Persons: Al Zulkifli, —, Nargis, Fedja Grulovic, Spyros Bakalis, Yuki Iwamura Organizations: AFP, Getty, Nature Communications, International Federation of Red, Red Crescent Societies, Reuters, U.S . Federal Emergency Management Agency, World Meteorological Organization, WMO, Afp Locations: Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra, Indonesia, Myanmar, Europe, Russia, Somalia, Prevalje, Slovenia, Pournari, Magoula, Athens, Maui, Lahaina , Hawaii

☆ 'Deep and dangerous abyss': UN envoy warns Middle East is on the brink
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

People inspect the remains of a destroyed building following Israeli bombardment in Khan Yunis in the southern of Gaza Strip on October 18, 2023. The escalating conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas is pushing the Middle East region into the precipice of a "dangerous abyss," with the risk of the conflict conflagrating, the United Nations' Middle East envoy warned. Tor Wennesland, the UN's Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, fears that "the world is at the brink of a deep and dangerous abyss that could change the trajectory of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." On Oct. 7, Hamas militants launched a multi-pronged attack by land, sea and air and infiltrated Israel, killing more than 1,000 people and abducting 200 people, including babies and the elderly. In response, Israel retaliated with airstrikes into the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian enclave ruled by Hamas.

Persons: Khan Yunis, Tor Wennesland, Israel Organizations: United Nations, . Security Locations: Khan, Gaza, Israel, Hamas

☆ Egypt does not see why country should ‘bear solely’ the responsibility for Gaza’s refugee influx
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Egypt does not see why it should squarely shoulder the responsibility of taking in refugees coming from the besieged Gaza Strip, said Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry. The International Organization for Migration agency in August 2022 assessed that there were 9 million refugees hailing from 133 countries in Egypt at that time. The Rafah crossing, which is located on the Gaza-Egypt border, is the sole passage point between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. Egypt tightly restricts the Rafah crossing and has been recently reluctant to open it for the movement of people, unless Israel allows humanitarian aid to enter the territory. I think those who have greater resources should probably bear greater responsibilities," the Egyptian foreign affairs minister said.

Persons: Foreign Affairs Sameh, Shoukry, CNBC's Dan Murphy Organizations: Foreign Affairs, Organization for Migration, Israeli Defense Forces, United Nations Relief, Works Agency for Palestine Refugees Locations: Egypt, Gaza, Rafah, Israel, Africa

☆ This currency is now the world’s top performer, after rebounding from record lows
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A roadside money changer handling Pakistani rupee coins in Karachi, Pakistan. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesThe Pakistani rupee has rebounded from an all-time low to become the world's top performing currency — and there's still room to strengthen, analysts say. The currency plummeted to a record low of 307 rupees against the greenback in early September, according to data from LSEG. This was largely owed to a government clampdown on a widespread illicit dollar trade. The lofty figure was largely owed to the weakness of Pakistan's currency, reduced domestic fuel and electricity subsidies, and supply chain disruptions, the report said.

Persons: there's, Tahir Abbas Arif Habib, Tahir Abbas, Arif Habib, Abbas, Steve Hanke Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, PKR, South Korean, Federal Investigation Agency, Pakistan, CNBC, Johns Hopkins University, Bank, World Bank, Johns Hopkins Locations: Karachi, Pakistan, LSEG

☆ Russia's Putin speaks at China's Belt and Road forum in rare international appearance
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

In a rare international appearance since the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed a live audience at the third Belt and Road forum in Beijing Wednesday. In the opening ceremony speech, Putin invited other countries to participate in the development of the Northern Sea Route. The meeting marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) summit. Speaking to 1,000 delegates represented by over 130 countries, Putin said he agreed with Chinese President Xi Jinping that the Belt and Road idea "folds logically within multilateral efforts" to increase global cooperation. The Northern Sea Route is a 3,480 mile-long shipping route between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans which runs from the entrances of Novaya Zemiya straits in the west along the Russian Arctic Coast above Siberia.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Xi Jinping Organizations: Initiative, Pacific, Foreign Policy Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Beijing, Russia, Persian, Novaya Zemiya, Siberia, Asia, Europe

☆ What is the Gaza Strip? What you need to know about the territory at the heart of the Israel-Hamas war
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Palestinians searching for survivors after an Israeli airstrike on the refugee camp of Jabalia in the Gaza Strip on October 9, 2023. The Gaza Strip is one of two designated Palestinian territories, the other being the West Bank. This came against the will of the local Palestinian Arab population and surrounding Arab states. Palestinians search for survivors after an Israeli airstrike on buildings in the refugee camp of Jabalia in the Gaza Strip on October 9, 2023. Palestinians walking amid the rubble of destroyed and damaged building in the heavily bombarded city center of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 10, 2023.

Persons: Mahmud Hams, Omar Shakir Israel, Khan Younis, Mohammed Abed, Israel, Fatah, Khan Yunis, Said Khatib, Israel —, Jonathan Conricus Organizations: Afp, Getty, Palestinian, Hamas, Human Rights, West Bank, United Nations, U.S, Palestinian National Liberation Movement, Palestinian National Authority, Israel Defense Forces, Anadolu Agency Locations: Jabalia, Gaza, Mahmud, Israel, Egypt, Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, Palestine, Gaza City, North Gaza, Rafah, Deir el, Palestinian, Jordan, Syria, Anadolu

☆ Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza may not be a ‘full invasion,' says ex-U.S. ambassador
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An Israeli tank at an undisclosed location on the border with the Gaza Strip on Oct. 15, 2023. Menahem Kahana | Afp | Getty ImagesIsrael's ground offensive into the Gaza Strip may not be a full scale invasion, but will likely unfold in phases, according to a former U.S. ambassador to Israel. Israel has been preparing for a ground operation into the Gaza Strip after amassing troops at the border last week. Despite Israel's constant air attacks on Gaza, Hamas has continued to fire rockets at Israeli cities — thanks to a labyrinth of elaborate tunnels and bunkers underneath the Gaza Strip. According to the Israeli Defense Forces, the sophisticated underground system holds electrical generators, intelligence rooms and supplies for Hamas' underground army.

Persons: Menahem Kahana, Daniel Kurtzer, Kurtzer, Daniel Abraham, There's, Ebrahim Raisi Organizations: Afp, Getty, Israel Defense Forces, Palestinian, CNBC, Middle East, Studies, Princeton University, Israeli Defense Forces, IDF, Israel Locations: Israeli, Gaza, U.S, Israel

☆ Hamas' underground tunnels mean a ground offensive is needed, says former Israeli major general
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Yaakov Amidror, the former head of Israel's National Security Council, vowed that Israeli forces will ensure the destruction of Hamas and said a ground offensive was needed due to the Palestinian militant group's intricate network of underground tunnels. "After the operation, Hamas as an organization will not exist in the Gaza Strip, we will kill as many as possible of its members, and we will destroy every facility of the organization," he said. "We have to destroy Hamas on the ground to find Hamas members within the underground tunnels, in the holes, in their headquarters," he added. The organization has also strongly condemned the horrific crimes committed by Hamas, the deliberate and widespread killing and hostage-taking of innocent civilians. On Friday, Israel told 1.1 million residents in north Gaza to evacuate within 24 hours, according to the U.N., the strongest sign yet that a ground offensive is imminent.

Persons: Yaakov Amidror, Benjamin Netanyahu, CNBC's, Israel's, Israel, Stephane Dujarric Organizations: Israel's National Security Council, United Nations Locations: Israel, Gaza

☆ Asia-Pacific stocks tumble ahead of China inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

August was marked by extremely hot temperatures in parts of China, prompting temporary power rationing in some regions. Asia-Pacific markets fell ahead of China's inflation and trade data for September. China is slated to release inflation numbers early Friday. Analysts polled by Reuters expect the country's consumer price index to climb 0.2% year-on-year, compared to 0.1% in the previous reading. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index looks set to drop, with futures at 17,911 compared to the HSI's close of 18,238.21.

Organizations: heatwave, Reuters, Nikkei Locations: China, Chongqing's, Asia, Pacific, Japan

Women dress in graduation gowns at the West Kowloon Cultural District in front of the Hong Kong Skyline in Hong Kong (Photo by Vernon Yuen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Asia-Pacific markets rose as investors looked ahead to key U.S. consumer inflation data, which will inform the Federal Reserve's rate decision in its policy meeting beginning Oct. 31. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 added 0.31%. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened 1% higher, with shares of Uniqlo-owner Fast Retailing up nearly 1% ahead of its full-year earnings report due later in the day. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.75% at the opening bell, holding near two-week highs.

Persons: Vernon Yuen Organizations: Kowloon Cultural, Hong Kong Skyline, Getty Images, Nikkei, Retailing Locations: Kowloon, Hong Kong, Asia, Pacific, Australia, Japan

☆ An 'extended war'? Markets may be underestimating the Israel-Hamas conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Oil prices jumped 4% on Monday before shrugging off those gains in subsequent sessions, and gold prices have inched higher by a little over 1% since the attack. "Global markets have yet to fully price the inflation risks from developments — from higher oil prices and more defense spending," Savage cautioned. That would cause the premium [of oil prices] to go higher," said Rapidan Energy Group's President Bob McNally. This could spike oil prices well north of $150 per barrel," Alpine Macro said in a note following the incursion. One analyst is of the view that even if the conflict prolongs, its implications on global markets is still largely contained.

Persons: Sameh, BNY Mellon, shrugging, BNY, Bob Savage, Savage, Amir Cohen, Bob McNally, McNally, Antony Blinken, Marko Papic, Mahmud Hams Organizations: Nurphoto, Hamas, U.S ., Swiss, BNY, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Reuters, Energy, United Nations, U.S, ., NBC News, Palestinian Health Ministry, Clocktower Group, CNBC, Brigades, Afp, Getty Locations: Gaza City, Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, Ukraine, Stockholm, U.S, Ashkelon, Iran, United States, Persian, Mahmud

☆ Israel's central bank sells $30 billion in foreign reserves after shekel slides to seven-year low
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

The Bank of Israel on Monday announced it will sell up to $30 billion in foreign reserves in a bid to support its domestic currency which has fallen sharply following the deadly incursion by Hamas militants over the weekend. The Israeli shekel last weakened 1.63% to trade at 3.90 against the greenback, marking its weakest in seven years. "The Bank will operate in the market during the coming period in order to moderate volatility in the shekel exchange rate and to provide the necessary liquidity for the continued proper functioning of the markets," the central bank wrote in a statement released Monday. On top of the $30 billion program, the bank added it will provide liquidity to the market through SWAP mechanisms in the market of up to $15 billion.

Organizations: of Israel, Monday, Israeli

☆ Oil prices jump 4% in wake of Hamas attack on Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesOil prices jumped 4% as the Israel-Hamas conflict extended into its third day following a surprise attack on Israel by Palestinian militants Hamas. At dawn on Saturday during a major Jewish holiday, Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a multi-pronged infiltration into Israel — by land, sea and air using paragliders. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Oil prices jump following Hamas attack on IsraelWhile there is a surge in crude prices, analysts believe it will be a knee-jerk reaction, and likely temporary. Neither side is a major oil player. "If western countries officially link Iranian intelligence to the Hamas attack, then Iran's oil supply and exports face imminent downside risks," Dhar said.

Persons: Vivek Dhar, Mohammed Abed, Dhar, Donald Trump Organizations: Persian Gulf Star Co, Bloomberg, Getty, Hamas, Global, Brent, U.S . West Texas, NBC News, Palestinian Health Ministry, Israel, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Palestinian, Citi Locations: Bandar Abbas, Iran, Israel, U.S, Gaza, Commonwealth, Gaza City, Tehran

☆ 'Knee-jerk surge': Oil experts predict market impact of Israel-Hamas conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

EDITORS NOTE: Graphic content / TOPSHOT - A plume of smoke rises above buildings in Gaza City on October 7, 2023 during an Israeli air strike. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP) (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images)Crude oil prices could see a spike on Monday but the overall impact of the attack on Israel by Palestinian militants Hamas will likely be limited, energy experts told CNBC. "We may see a knee-jerk surge in crude prices when markets open on Monday," Vandana Hari, CEO of Vanda Insights, told CNBC via email. The incursion came hours after the Islamist militants fired thousands of rockets into Israel from Gaza. Civilians including women, children and the elderly have been abducted, and others killed in their homes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Persons: MAHMUD HAMS, That's, Vandana Hari, Hari, —, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Getty, CNBC, Vanda Insights, — Locations: Gaza City, Israel, Gaza, AFP, U.S, Union

☆ 'Israel's 9/11': Political analysts react to deadly Hamas attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Children are seen in a destroyed house after Israeli attacks in Gaza City, Gaza on October 07, 2023. Massive attacks by Hamas leadership into Israel… This is no less than Israel's 9/11. 'Massive intelligence failure'The attack also marked a "massive intelligence and defense failure for Israel," Bremmer highlighted, saying it was an oversight stemming from the government's new judicial reforms. From what we see so far … [this] is a Gaza and Israel war. "From what we see so far … [this] is a Gaza and Israel war.

Persons: Mustafa Hassona, Dan Steinbock, Ian Bremmer, Steinbock, Bremmer, Abraham, Fatima Shbair, Benjamin Netanyahu's, It's, Sanam Vakil, Zvi Eckstein, Biden, Ohad, Jalaa Marey, Eckstein Organizations: Anadolu Agency, Hamas, Israel, Eurasia Group, CNBC, NBC News, Palestinian Healthy Ministry, Abraham Accords, Rockets, Chatham House's, Tel Aviv University, Bank of Israel, AFP, Getty Locations: Gaza City, Gaza, Israel, Palestine, UAE, Morocco, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, U.S, Saudi, East, Iran, Ashkelon, Israeli, Metula, Lebanon, Russia, Ukraine

☆ Do menopause retreats work — and why are people paying $15,000 for them?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

These are some of the activities that can be found at menopause retreats, a wellness trend carving a new niche in the tourism industry. Menopause retreats are tailored to help women navigate the different stages of perimenopause and menopause, and the array of symptoms that come with them — from hot flashes and night sweats to achy joints. Wellness retreats aren't new, of course, but ever since the pandemic, more resorts are promoting menopause-focused vacations — and more women are signing up for them. So instead of just going on a spa retreat, people started going on very specific purpose-driven retreats," Lisa Starr, a spa business consultant at Wynne Business Consulting and Education told CNBC Travel. Do menopause retreats help?

Persons: Lisa Starr, Emily, Starr, Combe, Heather Hirsch Mahesh Natarajan, Heather Hirsch, Hirsch, Boston's Brigham Organizations: Consumers, Wynne Business Consulting, Education, CNBC Travel, Global Wellness, Covid, Getty, CNBC, Women's Hospital Locations: Bath, England, Combe Grove's, Maldives, India, midlife, Boston's, Mumbai

☆ Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rises 2%, leading gains in Asia ahead of key U.S. jobs report
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index jumped over 2%, leading gains in the wider Asia-Pacific region as investors look ahead to U.S. jobs data that could set the tone for the Federal Reserve's next move for interest rates. The index was last trading 2.1% higher. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 traded 0.34% higher. South Korea's Kospi added 0.53% and the Kosdaq rose 0.98% in its first hour of trade. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 and Topix slipped 0.14% and 0.09% respectively.

Persons: Topix Organizations: Federal, Nikkei Locations: Asia, Pacific, Japan

☆ Asia-Pacific stocks rise after U.S. Treasury yields pull back from 16-year highs
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Tuesday's run-up in bond yields spooked investors, but the move is a side effect of markets transitioning to the new reality of higher interest rates, said Roger Aliaga-Diaz, global head of portfolio construction in Vanguard's investment strategy group. More than a year into the Federal Reserve's policy tightening campaign, interest rates are likely to settle at a higher point compared to the pre-pandemic era, he said. "The neutral policy rate is now higher on a permanent basis, perhaps 3.5% or 4%, and that gives you a higher floor for the 10-year bond compared to previous years," Aliaga-Diaz told CNBC. "One it's very painful on the front end because things are resetting to these higher rates," he said. "It could be because of uncertainty and volatility that you can see higher 4 and even 5%," he said, regarding the 10-year Treasury yield.

Persons: Tuesday's, Roger Aliaga, Diaz, Aliaga, there's, Darla Mercado Organizations: Federal, CNBC

☆ Asia-Pacific stocks fall as U.S. 10-year Treasury yield notches 16-year high
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Mount Fuji and buildings in the Shinjuku district are reflected on a table at an observation deck in Tokyo, Japan, on December 24, 2013. Asia-Pacific markets opened lower after the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield hit its highest level in 16 years. In Japan, Nikkei 225 dropped 1.45% in its first hour of trade, while the Topix was 1.31% lower. South Korea's Kospi fell 1.19% and the Kosdaq slipped 1.17% after coming back from holiday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index is similarly poised for a dip with futures at 17,322 compared to the HSI's close of 17,331.22.

Persons: Australia's, Korea's Kospi Organizations: Mount, Treasury, Nikkei Locations: Mount Fuji, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, Asia, Pacific

☆ Japan’s property sector sees ‘golden period’ as foreign investments surge 45%
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesForeign investments into Japan's real estate sector have been flourishing in the past year, buoyed by a weak Japanese yen as the country's central bank maintains its ultra-loose monetary policy. "It is a golden period of Japanese real estate," Henry Chin, head of Asia-Pacific research at CBRE, told CNBC. Foreign investors almost doubled their investment from a year ago to $2 billion in the first quarter of the year, the global real estate services company noted. According to latest data provided by CBRE, total foreign investments into Japan's real estate market has risen 45% in the first half of 2023, compared to the same period last year. The solid rebound in Japan's tourism sector following the ease in border restrictions has sparked a rise in hotel occupancies and hospitality investments, Knight Frank said in a recent September note.

Persons: Henry Chin, Chin, Koji Nato, JLL, Knight Frank, CBRE's Chin, Knight Frank's, Christine Li, David Madison Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, CNBC, Nato LL's, Capital Markets, U.S, APAC Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Asia, Pacific, Osaka, Singapore, U.S, Canada, Magome

☆ Asia-Pacific stocks fall ahead of Australian central bank rate decision
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

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 ahead of a rate decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 was trading down 1.1% ahead of an RBA meeting, where the central bank is expected to hold rates at 4.10%, according to a Reuters poll. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 was down 0.63% in its first hour of trade. The Nasdaq Composite added 0.67% to close at 13,307.77— CNBC's Hakyung Kim and Alex Harring contributed to this report.

Persons: Hakyung Kim, Alex Harring Organizations: Skyline, Reserve Bank of Australia, Nikkei, Dow Jones, Nasdaq Locations: Sydney, Australia, Asia, Pacific, Japan, U.S

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