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International

Sinking Oil Prices Spur Asian Stock Markets Higher

Asian stock markets rallied on Monday following statements from Tehran and Washington that Persian Gulf hostilities may soon cease, and on resultant tumbling oil prices.Brent oil futures traded down 5.2% to $82.76 a barrel during Asian trading hours.Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tokyo finished in the green, as did most other regional exchanges.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened higher and rose to the close, finishing up 5% as traders waded back into tech issues.The benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 3,297.46 to 69,317.50, striking a fresh all-time high, as gaining issues outnumbered losers 171 to 51.Leading the upside was semiconductor materials maker Taiyo Yuden, up 22.6%, while CyberAgent declined 5.1%.In economic news, Japan's tertiary (services) industry index increased 1.3% in April from March, and by 2.2% on the year, reported the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened higher and held ground, closing up 0.5% as tech-sector gains offset declines in oil and property shares.The broad gauge Hang Seng rose 124.57 to 24,842.67 as gaining issues outnumbered losers 52 to 41. The Hang Seng TECH Index gained 1.3% on the day, but the Mainland Properties Index fell 1.9%.Leading the upside was computer maker Lenovo, gaining 9.3%, while Aluminum Corporation of China declined 8.5%.On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite rose 1.6% to 4,096.47.On the other regional exchanges, the South Korean KOSPI rose 5.2%; the Taiwan TWSE advanced 2.8%; the Australian ASX 200 gained 1.2%; the Singapore Straits Times Index rose 1%, and the Thai Set was steady. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was up 1%.The MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index rose 2.9% on the day.

Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite
International

Market Chatter: Japan Farm Incomes Seen Falling 300 Yen Billion Under Proposed Consumption Tax Cut

A think tank warned that Japan's proposed 1% consumption tax on food could cut 800,000 small farms' annual income by over 300 billion yen, Nikkei Asia reported Monday.The average loss per farm would be about 400,000 yen, with the impact varying by size, according to Mitsubishi Research Institute, said the publication.Many of these farms are currently partially or fully exempt from remitting the 8% tax they collect on sales, so a rate cut would reduce their income rather than provide relief, the news daily said.The government, which is considering implementing the reduction from April 2027, plans to offer subsidies and financial support to affected farmers, the report said.The concern is that lower incomes could accelerate the trend of farmers leaving the industry altogether, it added.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Nikkei 225
International

Market Chatter: BOJ Poised for Largest Rate Hike in Decades as Governor Absent From Meeting

The Bank of Japan is poised to raise its key interest rate to a three-decade peak when its policy board convenes without Governor Kazuo Ueda present, Bloomberg News reported on Monday, citing its own survey.Most analysts surveyed by Bloomberg predict a quarter-point hike to 1% when the two-day gathering ends on Tuesday, the news wire said.Ueda, recently hospitalized for a liver-related infection, will submit written views to the board but will not participate in voting, the publication said.The central bank confirmed the unprecedented arrangement as policymakers move toward their highest benchmark since the mid-1990s, the report said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Nikkei 225
International

Asia Week Ahead: Central Bank Decisions; Inflation; and Trade

The week ahead in Asia will be packed with a number of central bank decisions and macroeconomic data, with investors set to track the impact of the Middle East conflict on regional economies.The economic calendar starts quietly on Monday with services activity data from Japan, whole inflation figures from India and New Zealand's services PMI.Activity picks up Tuesday as the Reserve Bank of Australia and Bank of Japan announce policy decisions, while China releases a batch of closely watched activity indicators.Wednesday shifts the focus to trade, with Japan and Singapore due to report May figures.Thursday brings a cluster of central bank decisions from Taiwan, Indonesia and the Philippines, with New Zealand's first-quarter GDP and Thailand's trade data also on deck.Friday rounds out the week with inflation data from Japan and Malaysia, with New Zealand reporting trade numbers.Here's what to watch in the week ahead.MONDAY, June 14The week was off to a relatively light start with a handful of releases from India, New Zealand, and Japan.Japan released its tertiary industry activity index for April, a measure of change in the total value of services provided and consumed by the country's service sector.The index rose a seasonally adjusted 1.3% month on month, reversing from a 0.6% decline in the prior month and recording its first increase in three months.It also beat the Trading Economics forecast of a 0.5% increase.In New Zealand, the BusinessNZ Performance of Services Index fell to 47.5 in May from a downwardly revised 48.7 in April, marking a fourth straight month of contraction in the services sector. Trading Economics said the decline came as the Iran war weighed on business activity.India's annual wholesale price index (WPI)-based inflation rate rose to 9.68% year over year in May. The reading was higher than the consensus forecast of 9.10% tracked by Investing.com and compared with an 8.26% pace recorded in the prior month.Later Monday, India reports unemployment stats for May.TUESDAY, June 16Macro activity picks up Tuesday with central bank decisions scheduled in Australia and Japan, and a slew of monthly data from China.The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to hold the official cash rate steady at 4.35%, according to a Trading Economics consensus.Economists at National Australia Bank said the latest decision would mark the end of the tightening cycle, with the next move likely down and now expected in the second quarter of 2027.In contrast, the Bank of Japan is forecasted to raise interest rates by 25 basis points to 1%, according to a Trading Economics consensus estimate.Bloomberg reported earlier June that the central bank was considering raising the policy rate amid high uncertainties over the Middle East conflict. Officials were expected to sift through as much data as possible until the last minute before making a final decision, though the decision to raise rates was unlikely to be unanimous, according to the report.China's industrial production and retail sales stats will also be in the news, alongside monthly unemployment and housing price data.Markets will review the figures to gauge how well the country's economy is faring amid the Middle East conflict. According to the Wall Street Journal, the data is likely to indicate overall improvement and economic resilience despite the macro headwinds.Hong Kong will report unemployment data the same day, while trade stats will be in focus in India and South Korea.In New Zealand, markets will await food inflation data which is expected to show "modest increases," according to CommBank.WEDNESDAY, June 17Focus shifts Wednesday to trade data from Singapore and Japan.Japan is expected to record a trade deficit of 564.6 billion yen in May, reversing from a 301.9 billion yen surplus a month earlier, according to a Trading Economics consensus.Wednesday will also bring the Reuters Tankan Index for June, a key gauge of Japanese business confidence, along with monthly machinery orders data.Meanwhile, Singapore's trade surplus is expected to narrow to $7 billion in May from $13.07 billion in April, according to Trading Economics. The city-state is also due to release monthly non-oil export data.A forward-looking report from Westpac capturing consumer confidence in New Zealand is also scheduled for Wednesday.THURSDAY, June 18Central banks across Taiwan, Indonesia and The Philippines will meet for interest rate decisions Thursday.Bank Indonesia will be in focus after it unexpectedly raised interest rates by 25 basis points earlier this month to support the rupiah.While some economists expect the central bank to deliver another 25 basis point hike, ING expects Bank Indonesia to hold rates steady and instead prioritize alternative measures to attract foreign capital inflows and stabilize the currency.The Philippines' central bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, is widely expected to raise its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 4.75% amid persistent inflationary pressure, according to a Trading Economics consensus.Meanwhile, Taiwan's central bank is expected to hold rates steady at 2%. ING said it will be monitoring the Central Bank of the Republic of China's press conference for clues on a possible rate hike in the third quarter.Elsewhere, New Zealand will report its first quarter gross domestic product growth rate. CommBank said it expects quarterly growth to reach 0.8%, shy of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's 1% forecast.While the economy started 2026 with a decent moment, there will be "pockets of weakness" highlighting that economic recovery was a "bit patchy," CommBank said in a preview.Lastly, Thursday will feature Thailand's trade figures for May.FRIDAY, June 19The week rounds off with closely watched inflation data from Japan.According to ING, May's consumer prices could record a rise of 1.6% year on year, accelerating marginally from 1.4% in April. The subdued increase would reflect government measures, though price pressures are likely to broaden, ING said.Malaysia's headline inflation, also due the same day, is similarly expected to show a marginal rise to 2% year-on-year in May from 1.9% in April due to government fuel subsidies and stable food prices, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing DBS.Malaysia will additionally report monthly trade figures on Friday, while Macao will release monthly inflation data the same day.Trade figures from New Zealand will also feature Friday. According to a Trading Economics consensus, New Zealand's May trade surplus could narrow to NZ$875 million from NZ$1.92 billion a month earlier.South Korea's producer price inflation will also be among the highlights of the day.

ASX 200^BSEHang Seng^JKSEFTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCIKOSPINikkei 225Nifty 50^NZ50^PSEIM^SETShanghai Composite^STI^SZSETaiwan Weighted
Japan's Tertiary Industry Activity Rises in April
US Markets

Japan's Tertiary Industry Activity Rises in April

Japan's tertiary industrial activity rose for the first time in April after three months, as business performance of both enterprises and individuals became stronger.The seasonally adjusted tertiary industry activity index rose 1.3% month on month in April, according to data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry or METI on Monday.The latest reading reversed from the previous month's revised 0.6% decline. It also beat the Trading Economics' forecast of a 0.5% rise.The monthly performance was primarily attributed to a 1.2% climb in individual services and a 1% increase in business services.Japan's services sector nearly stagnated in recent months, while the manufacturing industry continued to drive the economy despite being pressured by the Middle East conflict in the first quarter. This was reflected in the flash Japan Composite PMI Output Index, which dropped to 51.1 in May from 52.2 in April.Among tertiary industries, motor vehicle maintenance services saw the biggest growth, jumping 17.5%, while automobile retail grew 9% and machinery and equipment wholesale rose 5.8%. Only the electricity industry slipped 0.7%, according to METI.The ministry said while stagnation is observed in some sectors, there is a sign that the industry is recovering.ING predicted that semiconductors and car exports will be the main drivers for export growth in May, while imports will increase due to higher energy prices.Japan became one of the countries that was rattled by the global supply disruption brought by the war in Iran, triggering concerns among consumers and businessmen. The capital spending of domestic enterprises during the first quarter was flat at 2% year over year, compared with the 6.5% growth in the previous quarter, despite corporate sales rising 1.1% year over year and ordinary profits climbing 14.6%.Inflation in May slumped to its lowest since 2022 as consumer prices rose 1.3%, further weakening from the 1.5% growth in April. The CPI was way below the central bank's target of 2%. Meanwhile, producer inflation accelerated in May, rising 6.3% year over year, according to the Bank of Japan. The figures highlighted persistent cost pressures facing Japanese companies amid oil price hikes triggered by the war in Iran.

Nikkei 225
Asia

Nikkei 225 Hits Record High on US-Iran Peace Breakthrough

Japanese shares surged to an all-time high and closed with gains on Monday, as investors reacted to the news of a peace agreement between the US and Iran to be signed later this week.The Nikkei 225 soared 3,297.46 points, or 4.99% to 69,317.50.Donald Trump, President of the United States, declared that a ceasefire has been agreed upon with Iran, and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will be free of tolls."The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete," Trump wrote on Truth Social. He later added that, "This Great Deal will bring Peace and Security to the whole Region", and hinted that a more comprehensive peace agreement with Iran would follow.The unblocking of the Strait of Hormuz will be a huge relief for oil-import-dependent countries in Asia, including Japan, as the war in the Middle East led to production cuts and price hikes across industries.Investors are also closely eyeing the decisions by the U.S. and Japan's central banks this week.On the home front, British and Japanese leaders are set to finalize an 18 billion pound sterling agreement expected to create "tens of thousands of new jobs" in offshore wind, infrastructure, and finance, according to a statement on Saturday.Under the deal, several Japanese companies committed 5-year investments to UK projects, including 2 billion pounds sterling by Mitsubishi Estate(TYO:3481), 3.8 billion pounds sterling by Mitsui Fudosan (TYO:8801), and 500 million pounds sterling by Nomura Real Estate (TYO:3231).On the corporate side, Iyogin (TYO:5830) has begun purchasing Japanese government bonds for the first time in 10 years, starting with small amounts of super-long debt in April, Bloomberg News reported Monday, citing CEO Kenji Miyoshi in a recent interview.

Nikkei 225TYO:3231TYO:3481TYO:5830TYO:8801
International

Japan's Tertiary Industry Index Rises 1.3% in April

Japan's tertiary industry activity index rose a seasonally adjusted 1.3% month on month in April, according to data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) released on Monday.The latest reading was a reversal from the revised 0.6% decline in the prior month and represented the first increase in three months. It also beat the Trading Economics forecast of a 0.5% increase.The monthly performance was driven primarily by a rise in services to individuals and businesses, which rose 1.2% and 1%, respectively.While some sectors of the service industry are showing signs of stagnation, the tertiary sector as a whole is showing signs of recovery, the ministry said.

Nikkei 225
Asia

Japanese Equities Surge as US, Iran Agree on Peace Deal

Japanese stocks surge after officials said a peace agreement between the US and Iran will be signed later this week.The Nikkei 225 jumped 763.2 points or 1.6% to 66,783.22.Trump said in a social media post that the Strait of Hormuz would open once the deal is signed on June 19.Iranian state media also confirmed that it will sign a deal with the U.S. following mediation by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.Investors are also focused on the U.S. and Japan's central bank decisions this week.With Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda hospitalized, deputy Shinichi Uchida will host a post-meeting press conference on Tuesday.

Nikkei 225
Asia

UK, Japan Enter Into GBP 18 Billion Deal to Boost Clean Energy, Jobs, Next-Generation Tech

British and Japanese leaders are set to finalize an 18 billion pound sterling agreement expected to create "tens of thousands of new jobs" in offshore wind, infrastructure, and finance, according to a statement on Saturday.Under the deal, several Japanese companies committed 5-year investments to UK projects, including 2 billion pounds sterling by Mitsubishi Estate(TYO:3481), 3.8 billion pounds sterling by Mitsui Fudosan (TYO:8801), and 500 million pounds sterling by Nomura Real Estate (TYO:3231).Additional pledges include Mizuho Financial's 3 billion pound sterling expansion of its UK operations, Eisai's (TYO:4523) 48 million pound sterling government-backed facility upgrade, and an offshore wind compact facilitating up to 9 billion pound sterling for floating wind projects in the North and Celtic Seas.Legal & General also broke ground on a 135 million pound sterling London housing project in partnership with Nomura (TYO:8604), marking the firm's first UK homebuilding venture.Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host his Japanese counterpart and business delegates in London before the G7 meeting in France, where over 10 commercial and government agreements are expected to be signed.

Nikkei 225TYO:3231TYO:3481TYO:4523TYO:8604TYO:8801
Asia

US, Iran Reach Peace Agreement, Formal Signing Due Friday

U.S. and Iranian officials have confirmed a peace agreement to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with a formal pact expected to be signed in Switzerland on Friday.U.S. President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social that the agreement with Iran was "complete" and authorized the immediate lifting of the U.S. naval blockade.Separately, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed that an agreement had been reached to end the conflict, according to multiple media reports.Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who mediated the negotiations, said in a post on X that the peace accord would be signed on Friday, June 19.Sharif added that both sides had agreed to an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations across all fronts, including in Lebanon.

^BSE^HNXHang Seng^JKSEFTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCIKOSPINikkei 225^NSE^PSEI^SETShanghai Composite^STI^SZSETaiwan Weighted
Japan's Capacity Utilization Slides in April on Fall in Electronic Components
US Markets

Japan's Capacity Utilization Slides in April on Fall in Electronic Components

Japan's capacity utilization fell on a monthly basis due to a decline in the electronic components and devices industry, according to data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) released on Friday.The indicator slipped 0.8% month on month to 102.9 in April against the 2020 baseline of 100, reflecting that capacity use remained above its baseline level despite slowing from 103.7 in the previous month.It missed market expectations for a 2% rise, according to Trading Economics.Capacity utilization in the electronic components and devices industry slid 5.2%, according to the ministry.Electrical machinery capacity utilization fell 5.2%, while capacity in the electrical and information and communication machinery industry slipped 1.1%.In the non-ferrous metal segment, capacity utilization slipped 1.7%, while the general-purpose and business-oriented machinery segment saw a 1.5% fall.Japan's industrial production rose 2% year over year in April, slowing from the 2.4% expansion in March.On a month-over-month basis, factory output edged up 0.5% to 102.5 during the month, reversing the 0.4% drop in the previous month.The reading missed market expectations of a 0.8% increase tracked by Investing.com.Transport equipment saw industrial production jump 15.2% year over year, while business-oriented machinery industrial production increased 15.1% year over year.General-purpose and business-oriented machinery grew 8.2%.Inorganic and organic chemicals slid 18.5% year over year, while that of petroleum and coal products fell 10.8%.

Nikkei 225
International

Persian Gulf, Oil Price Outlooks Buoy Asian Stocks Markets

Asian stock markets rallied on Friday after US President Donald Trump overnight again signaled that a peace deal with Tehran is on the cusp.Brent crude oil prices, which had touched above $95 a barrel on Thursday, dropped to the $86 range in Friday action, on hopes the Strait of Hormuz could reopen.Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tokyo exchanges finished in the green, as did most other regional exchanges.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened higher on Wall Street cues and gained thereafter, finishing up 2.8%.The benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 1,802.77 to 66,020.04, as gaining issues outnumbered losers 153 to 71.Leading the upside was materials producer Mitsui Kinzoku, up 17.6%, while semiconductor components maker Taiyo Yuden declined 5.4%.In other news, memory chip and device maker Kioxia gained 7.6% on the day, supplanting Toyota Motor (TM) as Japan's most valuable listed company by market capitalization.In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened higher and tracked upwards, closing up 1.9%.The broad gauge Hang Seng rose 468.81 to 24,718.10, as gaining issues outnumbered losers 82 to 11. The Hang Seng TECH Index gained 1.1% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index rose 1.4%.Leading the upside was Chow Tai Fook Jewelry, gaining 15.2% after reporting earnings, while computer-maker Lenovo declined 2.4%.On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite rose 1.1% to 4,031.51.On other regional exchanges, the South Korean KOSPI rose 4.6%; the Taiwan TWSE gained 2.4%; the Australian ASX 200 advanced 2%; the Singapore Straits Times Index rose 0.8%; and the Thai Set rose 1.3%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was up 2.3%The MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index rose 2.7% on the day.

Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite
Asia

Market Chatter: Japanese Majors Add More Female Directors But Still Trail Globally

Japan's blue-chip companies have added more women directors amid demands from the stock exchange and investors to raise board diversity, Nikkei Asia reported Friday.Female directors accounted for 19% of the board seats of companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's top-tier Prime market in 2025, a two percentage point rise, the report cited data from the Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, as saying.The Nikkei report pointed to the bourse's corporate governance rules urging companies to have greater diversity as a factor in the rise.The government's goal of at least 30% composition of female directors at Prime-listed companies by 2030 is also a driver, the report said.However, Japan majors still lag their Western peers in board diversity, with a 24% board composition at constituents of the Tokyo bourse's Topix 100 index versus 35% at the S&P 100 companies and 45% at FTSE 100 entities, the report cited a 2025 Japan Research Institute survey as saying.Japanese companies have shown slow progress, especially with women as inside directors, the report cited the institute's Eiji Yamada as saying.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Nikkei 225
Asia

Market Chatter: Japanese Industry Group Calls for Clarity on China's Export Controls

The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China has requested greater transparency in China's export controls on dual-use items, saying these have affected the supply of rare earths, Nikkei Asia reported Thursday.Japanese companies have seen tighter rare-earth supply following stricter export restrictions imposed by China amid diplomatic tensions between the two countries, the report cited Tetsuro Homma, head of the group, as saying.The controls have even affected items "purely for civilian purposes," the report cited the group as saying.The measures include a ban on exports of items for both civilian and military use to 20 Japanese defense-linked entities, with 20 other Japanese companies and organizations included in a watchlist, the report said.Meanwhile, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said the export controls are specific to only a few Japanese entities, with no impact on normal exchanges between the two nations, according to the report.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Nikkei 225Shanghai Composite^SZSE
Asia

Japanese Shares Close Higher After Trump Signals at End of Iran War

Japanese equities closed the week with gains lifted by optimism around President Donald Trump's claim that a resolution to the conflict with Iran has been reached.The Nikkei 225 jumped 1,802.77 points or 2.8% to close at 66,020.04.According to media reports, Trump claimed that the US "ended the war" with Iran and canceled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran.Sentiment was also boosted by the decline in global oil prices, which will help import-dependent Asian countries like Japan. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Takaichi told the cabinet on Thursday that Japan's July crude imports will fully avoid the Strait of Hormuz.On the economic front, Japan's industrial production rose 2% year over year in April, but was slower than the 2.4% expansion in March, according to final estimates from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) released Friday.Japan's capacity utilization rate fell by a seasonally adjusted 0.8% month over month in April, easing from the 1.2% decline in the prior month, as per METI's estimates.On the corporate side, NTT Inc.'s (TYO:9432) unit, NTT Global Data Centers, is said to be working with Citigroup to secure new capital of at least $1 billion to invest in development projects in the US, according to a Bloomberg News report on Thursday, citing sources.Also, Japan's Fair Trade Commission is investigating Haseko Reform, a subsidiary of Haseko Corp (TYO:1808). The details of the probe were not disclosed.

Nikkei 225TYO:1808TYO:9432
International

Japan's Capacity Utilization Falls 0.8% in April

Japan's capacity utilization rate fell by a seasonally adjusted 0.8% month over month in April, according to data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) released on Friday.The latest pace of drop eased from the 1.2% decline in the prior month. However, it missed market expectations for a 2% rise, according to Trading Economics.The index of capacity utilization stood at 102.9 points against the 2020 baseline of 100, reflecting that capacity use remained above its baseline level despite slowing from the previous month.

Nikkei 225
International

Japan's Industrial Production Growth Slows to 2% in April

Japan's industrial production rose 2% year over year in April, according to final estimates from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) released Friday.The pace of growth slowed from the 2.4% expansion in March.On a month-over-month basis, factory output edged up 0.5% during the month, reversing the 0.4% drop in the previous month. The reading missed market expectations of a 0.8% increase tracked by Investing.com.

Nikkei 225
International

Market Chatter: Japan and UK to Launch Joint Fund for Dual-Use Tech Startups

Tokyo and London are planning to create a joint fund to back startups working on dual-use technologies such as AI, quantum computing, drones, and space, Nikkei Asia reported Friday.The fund, which could amount to several billion yen, will be announced at Sunday's summit between Prime Ministers Takaichi and Starmer, the news agency said.A separate memorandum will be signed by NEDO, JETRO, and Innovate UK, with JETRO helping connect startups from both nations to the investors, the publication said.The initiative builds on pledges made during the leaders' January meeting to deepen industrial strategy and economic security cooperation, the report said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Nikkei 225
World Bank Cuts Growth Forecasts for Japan, China as Middle East Conflict Weighs on Asia
US Markets

World Bank Cuts Growth Forecasts for Japan, China as Middle East Conflict Weighs on Asia

The World Bank trimmed its 2026 growth forecasts for Japan and China on Thursday, citing rising energy prices, disrupted trade, and weakening demand stemming from the conflict in the Middle East.Global growth is forecast to slow to 2.5% in 2026, down from 2.9% in 2025, the weakest pace since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the organization's June 2026 Global Economic Prospects report.The World Bank cut its 2026 growth forecast for Japan to 0.7% from its January estimate of 0.8% as rising energy prices weigh on consumption and exports. In 2025, the economy grew by an estimated 1.1%.GDP growth is expected to recover modestly to 0.9% in 2027 before easing again to 0.8% in 2028 as domestic demand improves on the back of lower inflation and higher wages.Meanwhile, growth in East Asia and the Pacific is projected to moderate to 4.2% in 2026 from 5% in 2025, with China's deceleration driven by subdued domestic demand amid low consumer confidence, the continued property sector adjustment, and a soft labor market, the World Bank said.Growth in China is projected to ease to 4.2% in 2026 from the estimated 5% increase in 2025. The latest forecast is down from the 4.4% estimate the World Bank issued in January.Momentum is expected to accelerate to 4.3% in 2027 before decelerating again in 2028 to 4.2%, "as energy prices ease while diminishing returns to capital, high debt, and demographic pressures continue to lower China's potential growth."Elsewhere, in South Asia, growth is projected to soften to 6.3% in 2026 from 7% in 2025, mainly reflecting the adverse impact of the Middle East conflict, including shortages of energy and agricultural products that put upward pressure on energy and food prices, according to the World Bank.However, the latest forecast for the region was up from 6.2% in January.Growth in India is projected to moderate to 6.6% in fiscal year 2026/27 from 7.7% in 2025, reflecting a slowdown in private demand growth as a result of higher energy prices and other input costs, though a reduction in Goods and Services Tax rates is expected to provide some support for consumer spending.In January, the World Bank estimated India's GDP growth for 2026 at 6.5%."Developing countries have faced a series of challenges over the last decade," said Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group."In response to the current shock, we are providing liquidity where it is needed now - and we are ready with additional financing, guarantees, and private-sector solutions if pressures deepen. Our job is to help countries steady the ship, keep reforms moving, and emerge stronger on the other side."Brent crude oil prices are projected to average $94 a barrel in 2026, 36% above 2025 levels, assuming that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted through July, the World Bank said.The institution warned that if energy supply disruptions prove more severe than currently assumed and are exacerbated by substantial financial stress, global growth could fall to 1.3% in 2026, with inflation forecast to rise to 4.4%.

^BSENikkei 225^NSENifty 50Shanghai Composite^SZSE
International

World Bank Trims 2026 GDP Growth Forecast for Japan to 0.7%

The World Bank trimmed its 2026 economic growth forecast for Japan amid rising energy prices, with the country facing slowing consumption and exports.In its latest Global Economic Prospects released Thursday, the international organization said Japan's gross domestic product is expected to grow 0.7% in 2026, down from an estimated growth of 1.1% in 2025.GDP growth is expected to rise moderately to 0.9% in 2027 before decelerating again in 2028 to 0.8% as domestic demand improves amid easing inflation and rising wages.

Nikkei 225

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