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729 stories mentioning Nikkei 225Updated 2h ago

Japanese stocks opened little changed as investors stayed cautious ahead of the Bank of Japan's interest rate decision.

Asia

Market Chatter: SoftBank CEO Says Group Starts Mass Production of AI-Powered Robots

SoftBank Group's (TYO:9984) artificial intelligence-powered robots have entered the mass production phase, as the company eyes AI business expansion, The Mainichi reported Thursday, quoting group CEO Masayoshi Son.The Japan-based investor outlined four key focus areas, including AI models, semiconductor chips, infrastructure, and robots, in the near term, as its investment in the US-based OpenAI is expected to reach $64.6 billion by October this year, the report said.At a shareholder meeting in Tokyo, the group's CEO maintained that the company's long-term focus is on expanding its AI business, signaling continuity in leadership, 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 225TYO:9984
International

Market Chatter: Japan Unveils 370 Trillion Yen Long-Term Investment Plan

The Japanese government said it will target 370 trillion yen in combined public and private investment by fiscal 2040, with a clear emphasis on semiconductors as part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's strategy to spur growth and protect national security, Nikkei Asia reported on Wednesday.The sweeping long-term strategy covers 17 sectors deemed critical to economic security, including artificial intelligence, quantum technology, energy, medicine and entertainment, and is intended to help private-sector firms plan investments by providing a government benchmark, the news daily said.Of the overall investment goal, 68 trillion yen is specifically allocated to semiconductors under the plan unveiled Wednesday at a joint government policy council meeting, the publication 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
Asia

Market Chatter: Two Fuji Electric Employees Detained in China Over Export Violations

Chinese authorities in Dalian detained two Japanese nationals in May on suspicion of violating import and export regulations, Nikkei Asia reported Wednesday, citing Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi.The two individuals, employees of a local subsidiary of Fuji Electric (TYO:6504), are suspected of breaching restrictions on rare-earth exports, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun confirmed the detentions, saying the individuals had violated Chinese law, according to the report.Fuji Electric declined to comment on the matter.(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 225TYO:6504
Asia

Market Chatter: JERA Expects LNG Prices Staying Firm on Qatar Repairs, European Demand

JERA expects LNG prices to stay firm over the next year due to slow Qatar facility repairs and Europe's winter stockpiling, Reuters News reported on Thursday, citing chairman Yukio Kani.Kani said repairing Qatar's missile-damaged facilities would take more than two years, while Europe's low stockpiles and Russian gas phase-out would keep spot demand strong, the news wire said.He told reporters that these factors would prevent significant price declines in the near term, the publication said.JERA, a 50-50 joint venture between Tokyo Electric Power Company (TYO:9501) and Chubu Electric Power (TYO:9502) is Japan's largest power generation company.(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 225TYO:9501TYO:9502
Asia

Market Chatter: Tokyo Stock Exchange to Boost Trading Capacity by November

The Tokyo Stock Exchange plans to upgrade its Arrowhead system as early as November, aiming to roughly double daily processing capacity to about 1.5 billion trades from the current 830 million, Nikkei Asia reported Thursday.This expansion comes amid rising trading volumes fueled by growing overseas investor participation, the news daily said.The company will invest "hundreds of millions of yen" to enhance memory and infrastructure at its Tokyo and Osaka data centers, building on previous upgrades from the 390 million-limit seen during the pandemic, the publication said.The Tokyo Stock Exchange didn't immediately respond to MT Newswire's request for comment.(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

Japanese Stocks Leap as Micron's Optimistic Outlook Revives AI Rally

Japanese stocks surged at Thursday's open, mirroring U.S. stock rally following Micron Technology's robust earnings forecast, which revived confidence in AI sectors.The Nikkei 225 advanced 939.12 points, reaching 70,114.09 at the start of trading, a 1.4% gain.Micron's forecast came at a critical juncture for AI-related shares, which had faced selling pressure earlier in the week.Elsewhere, declining crude prices further eased inflation jitters ahead of the Fed's upcoming inflation data release. Brent crude slipped near to $73.

Nikkei 225
International

Tech Drama Roils Asian Stock Markets; Oil Prices Ease

Asian stock markets churned on Wednesday, as traders took cues from pointed overnight declines in tech while noting still-easing oil prices.Hong Kong and Shanghai gained, and Tokyo lagged. Most other regional exchanges finished higher, including a 3.2% rise on Seoul's KOSPI index, recovering partially from Tuesday's 10% slide.Brent oil futures declined 1.4% to $75.72 a barrel during market hours.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened evenly, wobbled, and finished off 0.9% as traders again eyed semiconductor-sector issues warily.The benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 613.41 to 69,174.97, as losing issues outnumbered gainers 130 to 91.Leading the upside was electronics house Sharp, up 15.1% after majority owner Hon Hai Precision Industry of Taiwan, aka Foxconn, indicated cost cuts were pending. Insurer T&D declined 5.7%.In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened higher and held ground, closing up 0.3%.The broad gauge Hang Seng rose 75.90 to 23,412.18, although losing issues outnumbered gainers 46 to 45. The Hang Seng TECH Index gained 1.8% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index was flat.Leading the upside was Semiconductor Manufacturing International, gaining 8.9%, while Xinyi Solar declined 3.8%.On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.1% to 4,110.81.On the other regional exchanges, the Taiwan TWSE declined 2.2%; the Australian ASX 200 advanced 0.2%; the Singapore Straits Times Index rose 0.2%, and the Thai Set gained 0.5%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was up 1%.The MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index fell 0.2% on the day.In other news, the Bank of Thailand left its key policy interest rate unchanged at 1%.

Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite
Japan Central Bank Chief Flags 2% Inflation Target Risk
US Markets

Japan Central Bank Chief Flags 2% Inflation Target Risk

Japan's central bank expects inflation to exceed its target of 2% as higher crude oil prices drive energy and goods prices upward, Governor Kazuo Ueda said in prepared remarks read by Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino on Wednesday.Himino delivered Ueda's remarks as the governor was previously hospitalized for an infected liver cyst, also missing the policy meeting for June."Given that the underlying inflation rate is approaching 2% and the current monetary environment is accommodative, we believe that we will continue to raise the policy interest rate and adjust the degree of monetary easing in accordance with economic, price, and financial conditions," Ueda said in his prepared speech to the National Shinkin Bank Convention.Ueda said the recent increase in the benchmark interest rate to 1% is "appropriate" and that the central bank will continue to "firmly support economic activity."The timing of the adjustments will depend on the impact of the Middle East conflict on the Japanese economy, according to the central bank governor.Board members at the Bank of Japan earlier warned that increasing crude oil prices could spill over to midstream business-to-business prices and hurt consumer items.Japan's annual headline inflation rose to 1.5% in May from 1.4% in April, while core inflation, which strips out volatile items, held steady at 1.4%."Government measures have the effect of influencing households' perceived inflation by adjusting the price levels of specific goods and services," according to the June minutes.Ueda also reiterated the central bank's plan to shrink its purchases of Japanese government bonds to 2 trillion yen starting April 2027.In his speech, Ueda also touched on the sophistication of cyberattacks, adding that Japan has to take artificial intelligence advancements into consideration to support varying financial service needs.

Nikkei 225
Asia

AI-Driven Boom to Benefit Tech-Heavy Asia-Pacific Economies, S&P Says

Asia-Pacific economies with significant tech manufacturing will benefit from an AI-linked tech export boom, S&P Global Ratings said Wednesday.The benefits from the AI tech rally will counter the adverse effects from the energy shock in these economies, S&P Asia-Pacific chief economist Louis Kuijs said.S&P sees possible upward GDP estimate revisions for markets with solid tech shipments, mainly South Korea and Taiwan, as well as Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.Meanwhile, the impact of the energy shock has dampened growth forecasts for India, Japan, New Zealand, and the Philippines, S&P said.The rating agency's forecast for China remains stable as strong export dynamics offset weaker domestic demand.S&P maintained its baseline GDP growth forecasts in the region excluding China at 4.5% for 2026 and 4.4% for 2027.

^BSEFTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI^KOSDAQKOSPINikkei 225Nifty 50^NZ50^PSEI^SETShanghai Composite^STI^SZSETaiwan Weighted
International

BOJ's Ueda Signals Further Rate Hike Amid Knock-on Effect of High Oil Prices

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said the central bank expects Japan's inflation rate to rise above 2% as higher crude oil prices feed through to energy and goods prices, while signaling that further interest-rate increases remain likely as economic and price conditions evolve.In a speech to the National Shinkin Bank Convention, delivered on his behalf by Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino on Wednesday, Ueda said the BOJ decided at last week's policy meeting to raise the policy rate to 1% over risks that oil-driven price increases could spread across a wide range of items and push underlying inflation above the bank's 2% target.Governor Ueda was previously hospitalized for an infected hepatic cyst and missed the central bank's June policy meeting, sharing his views in writing.Ueda is expected to return for the July meeting.

Nikkei 225
Asia

Japanese Shares Extend Selloff, Tracking Wall Street-Led Tech Losses

Japanese shares closed lower for the second straight session after a choppy trading session on Wednesday, tracking the weak trade on Wall Street amid tech losses.The benchmark Nikkei 225 closed lower by 613.41 points or 0.88% at 69,174.97 on Wednesday.Driven by conflicting reports, investors are also cautious of the durability of the peace accord between Iran and the US.Markets are also closely watching the movement of the yen, which is near a 40-year low, for a potential intervention to stabilize the currency.On the corporate side, Toyota Motor (TYO:7203) will slash production outside Japan by about 100,000 units by around February 2027 as the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz affects demand overseas, Nikkei Asia reported Wednesday. It also plans to cut electric vehicle production for China.Elsewhere, Marubeni (TYO:8002) has completed its share buyback program after repurchasing a total of 11,766,800 shares, according to a Wednesday filing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Nikkei 225TYO:7203TYO:8002
Asia

Market Chatter: Japan Antitrust Body to Revise M&A Rules, to Consider Economic Security Benefits for Approval

The Japan Fair Trade Commission plans to consider economic security benefits while reviewing mergers and acquisitions in a bid to strengthen Japan's competitiveness in strategic industries, Nikkei reported Wednesday.Under the new framework, the companies with domestic sales exceeding 20 billion yen will be required to notify authorities of planned acquisitions, mergers, or business transfers, the report said.The watchdog will review whether the deal will result in a market monopoly, hindering price competition, and the deals that consolidate domestic industries may still gain approval based on the economic security benefits, according to the report.The Japanese antitrust body plans to publish revised rules on Wednesday, updating its merger review rules as early as this summer, Nikkei 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
Asia

Central Tokyo Condominium Prices Weaken as Demand Cools Amid High Interest Rates

Condominium prices in central Tokyo cooled in May amid weakening investor demand due to high interest rates and slower price growth, data from real estate information provider Tokyo Kantei showed.According to Kantei, the average asking price for existing family-oriented condos in six Tokyo wards, comprising Chiyoda, Chuo, Minato, Shinjuku, Bunkyo, and Shibuya, slipped to 187.5 million yen per 70 square meters in May, down 0.4% from April.Meanwhile, in central Osaka, existing condominium prices fell 0.3% to 92.92 million yen per 70 square meters, making it a first monthly decline in 29 months, and in central Nagoya, prices slipped 1.4% to 40.96 million yen per 70 square meters, marking the first decline in five months.The survey data covers properties of 30 square meters or more and excludes office and retail space.

Nikkei 225
Asia

Market Chatter: Blackstone to Invest $30 Billion in Japan's AI Data Centers in Three to Five Years

U.S.-based investment manager Blackstone plans to invest $30 billion in AI data centers in Japan over the next three to five years, with President and Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Gray saying in an interview that the company was planning to develop facilities that would surpass 1 gigawatt, according to a Nikkei Asia report on Wednesday.Gray told the news agency that although AI investments at present were at a nascent stage, the risk of not constructing enough computing resources far exceeded concerns about an AI bubble.Blackstone also plans to increase its private equity investments in Japan. The country is expected to become as significant as India in the investment manager's strategy for its recently launched, largest-to-date $13.1 billion Asia-focused fund, the report cited Gray.(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
BOJ Board Warns Crude Oil Price Hikes Could Spread to Consumer Items, June Minutes Show
International

BOJ Board Warns Crude Oil Price Hikes Could Spread to Consumer Items, June Minutes Show

Bank of Japan board members said the impact of rising crude oil prices was already spreading to midstream business-to-business prices and warned that this could affect prices of a wider range of consumer items."In this situation, more concern is warranted about the risk that this could lead to a rise in prices, given that firms' price-setting behavior is becoming more active," according to a summary of opinions from the June 15-16 Monetary Policy Meeting released Wednesday.At the meeting, the board voted 7-1 to raise the policy interest rate by 25 basis points to 1.00%, the highest level since 1995.The board cited the risk that underlying CPI inflation could deviate upward to a level about the 2% price stability target. The decision marked the BOJ's first rate hike since December, when the board lifted the rate to 0.75% from 0.5%.Members also pointed to the rise in inflation expectations, as indicated by the break-even inflation rate and the widening spread between short- and long-term interest rates."Import prices have also been driven up by exchange rate developments. Such price increases are considered to place a burden on the business of a considerable number of firms, including small and micro firms," according to the minutes.The board said it had become "more appropriate than before" to adjust the degree of monetary accommodation.Members added that even if crude oil prices dropped in the future, it was "highly possible" that upward price deviation would spill to items other than petroleum-related goods.The board said this reflects demand shocks stemming from overseas developments, particularly the global expansion of AI-related demand.Japan's annual headline inflation rose to 1.5% in May from 1.4% in April, while core inflation, which strips out volatile items, held steady at 1.4%."Government measures have the effect of influencing households' perceived inflation by adjusting the price levels of specific goods and services," according to the June minutes.However, the board noted that such factors need to be excluded when assessing underlying inflation levels.Beyond rates, the board agreed to halt the reduction of its Japanese government bond purchase amounts from April 2027.The board acknowledged that it will likely take some time for Japanese investors to beef up their government bond holdings.Additionally, the board said Japan's economy has been developing in line with the baseline scenario according to the April 2026 Outlook for Economic Activity and Prices.The BOJ expects Japan's real GDP to grow by about 0.5% in fiscal 2026, according to the April outlook."[T]he projected real GDP growth rate for fiscal 2026 is lower, and the projected year-on-year rate of increase in the CPI (all items less fresh food) for fiscal 2026 is significantly higher, both reflecting the rise in crude oil prices," the BOJ said at the time.Meanwhile, ING Think Senior Economist Min Joo Kang said they expect a majority of BOJ board members to support another rate hike if geopolitical risks to growth subside further."[T]he timing of the next rate hike will likely depend on how quickly energy supply disruptions are resolved. The focus seems to be on the possible impact on growth rather than on inflation," the economist said.

Nikkei 225
Asia

Japanese Stocks Slip Amid Regional Sell-Off as AI Rally Concerns Deepen

Japanese equities slid to open lower on Wednesday amid a broader regional downturn fueled by worries that the AI-driven rally may have overheated.The Nikkei 225 fell 173.3 points or 0.2% to open at 69,615.08.The divergence followed a sharp selloff across Asia on Tuesday, which saw South Korea's Kospi trigger a circuit breaker amid the US tech rout.Elsewhere, Brent crude continued its decline to settle at just above $76 as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz increased following an interim US-Iran peace agreement.

Nikkei 225
International

Bank of Japan Policymakers Show Support for Raising Interest Rates in June Meeting

Bank of Japan policymakers discussed further rate hikes, with the board's majority supporting raising interest rates at their June 15-16 meeting, according to the central bank's Summary of Opinions released on Wednesday.A large majority of policymakers believe that record-high oil prices and inflation pressures could push inflation above their 2% target.To curb these risks, the BOJ raised its benchmark interest rate to 1.0% from 0.75% in a 7-1 vote. This pushes Japanese interest rates to their highest level since 1995.The minutes also suggested the policymakers' confidence that Japan's economy has recovered moderately despite challenges from the recent Middle East war.Policymakers indicated that strong AI-related demand, solid corporate profits, wage growth, and government support measures have helped reduce downside risks.While higher energy costs continue to add pressure on the outlook, members said progress in securing alternative raw material supplies and easing concerns about supply disruptions had improved the economic situation.

Nikkei 225
International

Tech Rout Scours Asian Stock Markets

Asian stock markets retreated Tuesday, following overnight signals on Wall Street that the tech- and AI-sectors may have become over-extended after recent rallies.Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo finished in the red, while Seoul's KOSPI index tumbled 10%, as heavyweight semiconductor issues such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix both declined more than 12%.Brent crude oil futures edged lower during Asian market hours, off 0.2% to $77.71.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened evenly but declined throughout the day, finishing off 3.6% as traders booked profits in a market that on Monday struck an all-time zenith, and which then was up more than 80% on year.Investors also mulled possible tightening by the Bank of Japan and other monetary authorities, as the Japanese yen traded to more than 161 to the US dollar, the lowest exchange rate in 40 years.The benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 2,565.58 to 69,788.38, as losing issues outnumbered gainers 183 to 41.Leading the upside was electronic-components maker Fujikura, up 5.3%, while Furukawa Electric declined 15.5%.In economic news, Japan's flash composite purchasing managers index (PMI), a combination of the nation's manufacturing and services sectors, rose to 52.5 in June from 51.1 in May, marking the 15th straight month of expansion in private-sector activity, reported S&P Global.In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened evenly but sagged in the afternoon, closing down 1.8% as traders again backed away from tech and property shares.The broad gauge Hang Seng fell 432.24 to 23,336.28, as losing issues outnumbered gainers 73 to 19. The Hang Seng TECH Index lost 3.3% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index fell 1.8%.Leading the upside was Geely Automobile, gaining 2.1%, while metals-house CMOC declined 10.9%.On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite fell 1.4% to 4,106.25.On the other regional exchanges, the Taiwan TWSE declined 1.3%; the Australian ASX 200 declined 0.3%; the Singapore Straits Times Index was steady, and the Thai Set declined 2.1%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was down 1.3%.The MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index fell 3.5% on the day.

Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite
Asia

Japanese Shares Fall Sharply As Investors Expect Rate Hikes by US Fed

Japanese shares plunged on Tuesday, breaking their winning streak, amid the sell-off on Wall Street on Monday as investors reassessed the outlook for US interest rates.The benchmark Nikkei 225 closed lower by 2,565.58 points or 3.55% at 69,788.38 on Tuesday.News reports indicate that investor sentiment was dampened by growing expectations that the US Federal Reserve could remain hawkish and that there were chances of rate hikes later this year.As the yen continued to slip against the dollar, media reports said Japan's Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama held an online meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday to discuss global financial markets.Under economic data, the seasonally adjusted S&P Global Flash Japan PMI Composite Output Index rose to 52.5, compared with the previous month's 51.1 reading.The improvement was driven by a recovery in services activity, with the Services PMI growing to 51.8 in May from the neutral point of 50 in April, and an acceleration in manufacturing activity, with the manufacturing PMI jumping to 54.9 from 54.5.On the corporate side, Sato (TYO:6287) will acquire all voting shares of flexible packaging manufacturer Hiranoya Bussan to make it a wholly-owned subsidiary, effective June 15, at an undisclosed price, according to a Tokyo bourse filing on Tuesday.Also, Yamatane (TYO:9305) board on Tuesday approved the disposal of 183,119 treasury shares totaling 26.7 million yen under its restricted stock remuneration plan.

Nikkei 225TYO:6287TYO:9305
Asia

Market Chatter: Fertilizer Prices Fall to Pre-War Levels on Weak Demand, China's Export Limits

Global urea prices dropped back to prewar levels in June, reversing a surge from $492.50 to $900 per metric ton following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Nikkei Asia reported on Tuesday.The decline in fertilizer prices stemmed from lower demand and China's export restrictions, with the Iran-US ceasefire possibly adding to downward price pressure, the report said.Upside price risk remains due to potential bottlenecks in the opening of the strait, the report cited Argus Media as saying.The International Fertilizer Association forecasts global exports to reach just above 200 million tons this year, the report said.The price floor will depend on Chinese policy and European production costs, with full market stabilization possibly taking up to a decade, the report cited analysts 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.)

ASX 200Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite^SZSE

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