FINWIRES · TerminalLIVE
FINWIRES

Japan Stocks Open Higher on Iran Talks, Lebanon Ceasefire Extension

By

Japanese shares slightly rose at the start of Friday's session, as investors remain cautiously optimistic on the U.S.-Iran negotiations after an extended ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

The Nikkei 225 rose 267.2 points or 0.5% to open at 59,407.44

President Donald Trump announced a three-week extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, yet investors stayed wary as market direction depends on whether tensions with Iran intensify or move toward diplomatic solutions.

The West Texas Intermediate climbed to about $97 a barrel, while Brent Crude closed at nearly $105 on Thursday.

At home, Japan's core inflation accelerated to 1.8% in March from 1.6% the previous month, driven by higher energy costs-a trend that could affect the Bank of Japan's decision to leave its benchmark rate unchanged coming Tuesday.

Related Articles

Asia

Strike Energy Reports Smooth Progress at Western Australia Well; Shares Fall 4%

Strike Energy (ASX:STX) has safely cased the intermediate section of its Walyering West-1 exploration well at 2,596 meters and is continuing drilling at 2,670 meters within the Cattamarra coal measures, marking steady progress in its fully owned L23 license, according to a Thursday filing with the Australian bourse.The well is planned to be drilled to a total depth of around 3,639 meters to assess the reservoirs in the Cattamarra formation, followed by wireline logging operations, per the filing.Initial results are expected in early May, and if successful, the well will be cased and suspended for further testing, including possible production evaluation, the filing added.The company's shares fell 4% in recent Thursday trade.

ASX:STX
Asia

Litian Pictures Raises HK$10 Million From Share Placement

Litian Pictures (HKG:9958) raised about HK$10.3 million in net proceeds from a placing of new shares under a general mandate, according to a Wednesday Hong Kong bourse filing.Shares of the film production company were down nearly 2% in late morning trade on Thursday.The company issued 68 million new shares at HK$0.156 each, representing about 13.6% of its enlarged share capital.Net proceeds will be used for general working capital for the group's existing business and are expected to be fully utilised by the end of the year, the company said.

HKG:9958
Asia

Tovis' Net Attributable Income Jumps 77% in Q1; Shares Decline 4%

Tovis (KOSDAQ:051360) posted first-quarter net income attributable to shareholders of 16.05 billion won, up 77% from 9.07 billion won a year earlier, according to a Thursday filing with the Korea Exchange.The South Korean display models manufacturer's sales jumped 10.4% year over year to 169.8 billion won from 153.8 billion won.Shares of Tovis rose more than 4% in recent trade.

KOSDAQ:051360