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☆ Alibaba shares hit 6-month high after Jack Ma cedes control of Ant Group, amid a broad rally in Asian shares
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The gains also come on the back of a broader market rally in Asian shares, thanks to China's reopening. A top Chinese central banker suggested over the weekend Beijing's tech crackdown is coming to a close. The Hang Seng Tech Index — an index that tracks the 30 largest tech companies listed in Hong Kong — closed 3.2% higher. Shares of Hong Kong-listed Chinese tech giants Tencent and NetEase closed 3.6% and 2.6% higher respectively. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index closed 1.9% higher, the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.6%, and the Shenzhen Composite Index rose 0.7%.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as Fed signals more pain ahead
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

South Korea's Kospi gained 0.16% despite Samsung Electronics reporting a nearly 70% fall in its final quart profits as expected . Markets in the Asia-Pacific traded mixed after the Federal Reserve signaled further rate hikes ahead. Japan is slated to release the latest Jibun Bank Composite Services purchasing manager's index reading. On Wall Street, the Dow closed 300 points lower as investors looked ahead to more jobs data scheduled to be released Friday stateside. Bed, Bath & Beyond shed nearly 30% after the company said it is short on cash and considering bankruptcy.

☆ European markets nudge higher ahead of key euro zone inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON — European markets nudged higher on Friday ahead of key inflation data for the euro zone, which is expected to show a further slowdown in consumer price increases. Flash euro zone consumer price index inflation figures are due late morning. The U.S. ADP private payrolls report published Thursday said employers added 235,000 jobs in December — highlighting the strength of the labor market despite the Fed's attempt to tame inflation and suggesting there is room for higher interest rates. Investors will be closely watching Friday's December nonfarm payrolls report for further indications as to the path of monetary policy. Shares in Asia-Pacific ticked higher overnight, led by South Korea's Kospi index, while U.S. stock futures pointed to a positive open on Wall Street as traders await the key jobs report.

☆ Asian stocks edge up before U.S. jobs data, defying Wall Street selloff
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. E-mini stock futures ticked up 0.35%, pointing to a small bounce after the 1.16% overnight slide for the S&P 500 (.SPX). Wall Street sold off amid worries that a robustness in the jobs market would keep the Fed raising rates for longer, after data released on Thursday showed a bigger than expected rise in private payrolls and a drop in jobless claims. U.S. two-year Treasury yields spiked to a more than two-month high of 4.497% overnight but eased to 4.460% in Tokyo. The 10-year yield , which rose as high as 3.784% in New York, dropped to 3.726%. The dollar index is up 1.57% this week, putting it on course to snap a streak of three losing weeks.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets inch lower as region kicks off 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The public watch the first sunrise of the year during New Year's celebrations at a park on January 1, 2023 in Seoul, South Korea. Markets in Japan and New Zealand are closed for public holidays Tuesday. South Korea's Kospi fell 0.48% in its first session of the year on Monday, with the Kosdaq also falling 0.61%. Markets in Asia are set for a lower open as most of the region kicks off their first trading sessions for the year. The S&P 500 lost 19.4% for the year, the Nasdaq lost 33.1% and the Dow closed 8.8%.

☆ Asia-Pacific shares trade lower as Japan's core inflation marks 40-year high
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Asia-Pacific shares traded lower, taking the lead from losses on Wall Street while investors also looked ahead to some economic data in the region. Japan's core consumer price index at 3.7% in November on an annualized basis, marking the fastest pace since December 1981, when it saw a 4.3% jump. The Nikkei 225 fell 1% in its first hour of trade. The Japanese yen stood at 132.38 against the U.S. dollar. South Korea's Kospi also fell 1.24%.

☆ Asian stocks sag with dollar as hawkish Fed spurs recession fears
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

TOKYO, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Asian stocks sagged on Thursday, tracking declines on Wall Street, after the U.S. Federal Reserve projected higher interest rates for a longer period. U.S. Treasury yields remained depressed and the curve deeply inverted as traders continued to fret that tighter policy will trigger a recession. Japan's Nikkei (.N225) eased 0.17%, while South Korea's Kospi (.KS11) dropped 0.92% and Australia's stock benchmark (.AXJO) fell 0.4%. "The weakening in risk assets and the flattening of the curve suggest that recession fears may be the dominant driver of market price action." The IEA raised its 2023 oil demand growth estimate to 1.7 million bpd for a total of 101.6 million bpd.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets rise on cooler inflation print, ahead of Fed rate decision
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

People walk through Exchange Square in Hong Kong on October 28, 2022. Major lenders Standard Chartered and HSBC expressed confidence in the rebound of Hong Kong's and China's economy, even as China ramps up its Covid measures and Hong Kong's economy posted its worst quarter in more than two years. Asia-Pacific markets traded higher on Wednesday, after stocks on Wall Street saw a second day of gains on an inflation print that came in cooler than expected. The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong rose 0.6% in its final hour of trade. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 0.72% to 28,156.21 while the Topix was 0.6% higher to 1,977.42.

☆ Asia markets fall amid recession fears; China to report trade data
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Aerial view of containers sitting stacked at the Qinzhou Port on August 15, 2022 in Qinzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. Shares in the Asia-Pacific slipped on Wednesday after major U.S. indexes fell more than 1% each overnight as recession concerns weigh on markets. China's November trade data is predicted to show a sharp drop in exports and imports, according a Reuters poll. The Nikkei 225 in Japan was down 0.59% in early trade and the Topix also fell 0.44%. South Korea's Kospi shed 0.29%, and the Kosdaq was 0.58% lower.

☆ Chinese stocks rally after the country's top pandemic official signals a softening of the country's draconian Covid-zero stance
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Vice Premier Sun Chunlan said China's pandemic is at a "new stage" that comes with new tasks. Sun's words carry weight as she's the face of China's hardline Covid-zero approach. Hong Kong and Chinese stocks are higher on optimism China is eyeing an exit from a Covid-zero policy. Sun's softening on China's draconian Covid-zero stance carries weight because she's seen as the face of the hardline approach. As the world's second-largest economy after the US, China has been under pressure from pandemic restrictions that are into their third year.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets slip ahead of China factory activity data
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Workers work on a speaker production line at Luyang Electronics Co LTD in Fuyang City, Anhui Province, China, Oct 31, 2022. Asia-Pacific shares fell on Wednesday ahead of the release of data on China's November factory activity, in which analysts are expecting to see a contraction for the second time in a row. The Nikkei 225 in Japan fell 0.52% and Topix slipped 0.42%. The MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was 0.14% lower. Japan's Fast Retailing and electric-vehicle maker Xpeng are set to report earnings, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell will be delivering a speech at the Brookings Institution on Wednesday.

China's CSI300 Index (.CSI300) was down 1.8% after opening down 2.2% while the yuan also retreated. Australia's benchmark stock index (.AXJO) closed 0.42% lower while its risk-sensitive currency was off more than 1%. Japan's Nikkei stock index (.N225) was down 0.6%. In Shanghai, demonstrators and police clashed on Sunday night as protests over the country's stringent COVID restrictions flared for a third day. The COVID rules and resulting protests are creating fears the economic hit for China will be greater than first expected.

South Korea's KOSPI 200 index (.KS200) retreated 1.35% in early trade and New Zealand's S&P/NZX50 Index (.NZ50) was off 0.4%. In China, demonstrators and police clashed in Shanghai on Sunday night as protests over the country's stringent COVID restrictions flared for a third day. There were also protests in Wuhan, Chengdu and parts of the capital Beijing late Sunday as COVID restrictions were put in place in an attempt to quell fresh outbreaks. The COVID rules and resulting protests are creating fears the economic hit for China will be greater than expected. "This remains a headwind for oil demand that, combined with weakness in the U.S. dollar, is creating a negative backdrop for oil prices."

☆ U.S. yields sink amid dovish Fed signals; HK stocks slip on COVID concerns
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Kevin Buckland | Vivek Mishra | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The 10-year Treasury yield dipped to 3.659%, the lowest since Oct. 5 in Tokyo trading, after Thursday's U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. U.S. S&P 500 E-mini futures pointed 0.2% higher for the restart of Wall Street trading on Friday. Mainland Chinese blue chips (.CSI300), though, rose 0.51%, buoyed by government measures to support the real estate market. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures jumped 35 cents, or 0.5%, from Wednesday's close to $78.32 a barrel. Gold ticked 0.2% higher to $1,758.44 an ounce amid dollar weakness.

☆ Shares and pound splutter as UK dishes out budget gruel
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Marc Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/3] Pound and Dollar banknotes are seen in this picture illustration taken June 13, 2017. Pound and UK Gilt recover from 'mini budget' turmoilOvernight in Asia, grim signals from Micron Technology about excess inventories and sluggish demand sent chipmaker stocks sprawling. Mainland Chinese shares also wobbled, with blue chips there (.CSI300) falling 0.5% having ripped 10% higher this month. Traders will also scrutinise speeches from Fed officials on Thursday for hints about rate hikes. Crude oil steadied in Europe after settling more than a dollar lower overnight, following the resumption of Russian oil shipments via the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary and as rising COVID-19 cases in China weighed on sentiment.

☆ Chip stocks hammered in Asia, dollar firms on hawkish Fed
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Kevin Buckland | Yousef Saba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

TOKYO, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Chip stocks took a beating on Thursday, sending most Asian share indexes lower, after grim signals from Micron Technology overnight about excess inventories and sluggish demand. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar rebounded after stronger-than-expected U.S. retail sales suggested the Federal Reserve was unlikely to ease up in its battle with inflation. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (.HSI) tumbled 2.1%, with its tech stocks (.HSTECH) slipping more than 4%. Japan's Nikkei (.N225) lost 0.3% and South Korea's Kospi (.KS11) dropped 1.1%, each led by declines in heavyweight chip players. The U.S. dollar index - which measures the currency against six major counterparts - added 0.13% to 106.41, stabilizing after a slide as low as 105.30 on Tuesday following the release of producer price inflation numbers.

Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar rebounded after stronger-than-expected U.S. retail sales suggested the Federal Reserve was unlikely to ease up in its battle with inflation. That fuelled concerns about the economic outlook, with the U.S. Treasury yield curve remaining deeply inverted in Tokyo trading and suggesting that investors are braced for recession. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (.HSI) tumbled 2.7%, with its tech stocks (.HSTECH) slipping more than 5%. Japan's Nikkei (.N225) lost 0.4% and South Korea's Kospi (.KS11) dropped 1.1%, each led by declines in heavyweight chip players. The U.S. dollar index - which measures the currency against six major counterparts - added 0.28% to 106.57, rebounding from a slide as low as 105.30 on Tuesday following the release of producer price inflation numbers.

☆ Asian stocks mixed, dollar finds footing as traders assess Fed outlook
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

TOKYO, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Asian stocks were mixed on Thursday while the U.S. dollar stabilized and Treasury yields remained depressed as investors tried to assess the outlook for Federal Reserve policy following stronger-than-expected retail sales data. Renewed expectations the Fed will keep hiking rates have increased concerns about the economic outlook. The U.S. Treasury yield curve remained deeply inverted in Tokyo trading, suggesting investors are bracing for recession. U.S. e-mini stock futures , though, indicated a 0.3% rebound at the reopen following the S&P 500's (.SPX) 0.8% overnight retreat. However, traders still see the terminal rate as close to 5% by next summer from the currency policy rate of 3.75-4%.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as second day of G-20 underway
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Shares in the Asia-Pacific were mixed on Wednesday as world leaders gather in Bali, Indonesia for a second day of the Group of 20 summit. Investors will be closely watching for more details after Polish authorities said a Russian-made missile killed two citizens and an investigation is underway. The Nikkei 225 and the Topix in Japan were about flat. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was slightly below the flatline. Economists surveyed by Reuters expect the benchmark interest rate to be raised by 50 basis points to 5.25%.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets little changed ahead of China activity data release
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

A man walks past the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), operated by Japan Exchange Group Inc. (JPX), in Tokyo, Japan, on Monday, Nov. 30, 2020. Shares in the Asia-Pacific were little changed on Tuesday ahead of a slew of economic data from China, and following the meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Nikkei 225 in Japan was slightly lower. Japan's economy unexpectedly contracted in the third quarter, official data showed. China is set to report industrial production and retail sales data.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets fall; Bank of Japan expected to keep rates unchanged
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, on Monday, April 25, 2022. Shares in the Asia-Pacific fell ahead of the Bank of Japan's interest rate decision and a slew of companies in the region reporting earnings. The Nikkei 225 in Japan fell 0.89% in early trade, while the Topix dipped 0.51%. The Bank of Japan is expected to keep rates at ultra-low levels, according to forecasts in a Reuters poll. Some Chinese airlines listed in Hong Kong will report earnings, along with electric vehicle maker BYD.

☆ Australia inflation hits highest in 32 years; Asia-Pacific markets rise
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Shares in the Asia-Pacific rose Wednesday as sentiment overnight improved over the Fed potentially turning less aggressive. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.34% ahead of the report before trading almost flat. The Nikkei 225 in Japan rose 0.87% in early trade, and the Topix gained 0.79%. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan ticked marginally higher. In corporate news, Standard Chartered, Ping An , and SK Hynix are among the companies slated to report earnings Wednesday.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets mostly rise after Wall Street's second positive session
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

A man walks past the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), operated by Japan Exchange Group Inc. (JPX), in Tokyo, Japan, on Monday, Nov. 30, 2020. Stocks in the Asia-Pacific rose in early trade Tuesday after Wall Street's second straight positive session. South Korea's Kospi was just above the flatline, while the Kosdaq gained 0.44%. The MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan ticked up 0.14%. Singapore is due to release inflation data on Tuesday, while HSBC is reporting earnings.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets slip as investors weigh inflation data; yen at 150-levels
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

A customer in front of a drugstore in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022. Shares in the Asia-Pacific traded lower on Friday as investors await inflation data from several economies. The Nikkei 225 in Japan slipped 0.24% in early trade and the Topix lost 0.33%. Japan's yen weakened further to touch 150.28 overnight after hitting 150 against the dollar on Thursday. Japan's core consumer prices for the month of September rose 3% compared to a year ago, while Hong Kong and Malaysia are slated to release its inflation data later in the day.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets trade lower; China's offshore yuan hits record low overnight
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

An employee works at the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), operated by Japan Exchange Group Inc. (JPX), in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Shares in the Asia-Pacific traded lower on Thursday as economic fears weigh. The MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.37%. The offshore yuan touched a record low against the U.S. dollar overnight, weakening to 7.2745 per dollar. The Japanese yen reached yet another fresh 32-year low of 149.90 against the greenback, and was last at 149.85.

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