Nikkei 225

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727 stories mentioning Nikkei 225Updated 1h ago

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

Japan's Factory Activity Expands at Softer Pace in July

Operating conditions across Japan's manufacturing sector improved in July, with the final au Jibun Bank Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, coming in at 54.5, according to data released on Monday.The finalized reading, which acts as a principal indicator of overall factory conditions, missed the flash estimate of 54.7 and compared with the 54.8 recorded in the previous month.A reading above 50 indicates an improvement in sector performance, while a figure below signals a deterioration.Manufacturing output expanded at its fastest pace in nearly 12.5 years, while new orders grew at the quickest rate since January 2022, driven by robust demand for semiconductors and AI-related products.New export orders also rose at the fastest pace in just over five years. Input cost inflation eased to its slowest since March, though higher oil and raw material prices kept cost pressures elevated.Business confidence strengthened to a four-month high on expectations of stronger semiconductor demand.

Nikkei 225

Asia Markets5d ago

Tech Rebound Ignites Record Rallies in Asian Stock Markets

Asian stock markets gyrated higher Friday after a surge in US tech issues overnight was followed by a solid earnings report late Thursday from Tokyo Electron, a bellwether semiconductor production equipment maker.Seoul's semiconductor-heavy KOSPI index rose 17.9%, a record one-day gain, while Taiwan's TWSE index rose 8%, and Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 4%. Hong Kong and Shanghai also finished in the green.In Japan, the benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 2,494.59 to 64,362.02, although losing issues outnumbered gainers 129 to 95, as the upside was somewhat confined to the tech sector.Leading the upside was semiconductor component maker Ibiden, up 22%, while Nomura Research Institute declined 16%, after reporting earnings.In economic news, Tokyo's consumer price index-core (CPI-core) rose 1.9% on year, reported the Statistics Bureau.The nation's industrial production rose 1.3% on the month in June, while retail sales rose 0.5% on the year, reported the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened lower but inched into the green, closing up 0.1% as upside moves in the tech sector were weighed by declines in property shares.The broad gauge Hang Seng rose 25.55 to 25,884.43, although losing issues outnumbered gainers 61 to 31. The Hang Seng TECH Index gained 0.5% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index fell 1.3%.Leading the upside was Laopu Gold, gaining 10.1%, while smartphone maker Xiaomi declined 7.3%.On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.7% to 3,832.26.In economic news, China's manufacturing sector purchasing managers index (PMI) declined to 49.2 in July, down from 50.3 in June, and slipping below the 50-mark that separates growth from contraction, reported the National Bureau of Statistics.On the other regional exchanges, the Australian ASX 200 inclined 0.1%; the Singapore Straits Times Index fell 0.8%, and the Thai Set advanced 1.6%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was up 0.1%The MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index rose 4.8% on the day.

Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite

Asia5d ago

Tokyo court rules Shidax's 2023 Tender Offer Undervalued Shares

The Tokyo District Court ruled that now-delisted hospitality firm Shidax's 2023 tender offer to go private undervalued its shares, according to a statement on Friday.The court set the fair price at 950 yen per share instead of the 800 yen offered by Shidax's founding family, following a suit brought by Oasis Management-managed funds.The court found that Shidax's special committee failed to function properly, having relied heavily on advisers selected by the company, lacked an independent negotiating strategy and did not meaningfully challenge management's explanations.Oasis emphasised that procedural safeguards like special committees and third-party valuations must be effective in substance, not merely formally present, particularly in transactions involving structural conflicts of interest addressed in METI's Fair M&A Guidelines.The decision marks the second case in Japan where a court rejected fairness measures in a two-step going-private transaction after closely examining the special committee's independence and negotiations, following the FamilyMart proceedings also brought by Oasis.

Nikkei 225$OASISMAN

Asia5d ago

Japanese Shares Rise on Global Tech Rebound; Oil Falls on Improved Supply Flows

Japanese stocks gained as global technology stocks rallied, renewing investor hopes on artificial intelligence-related investments following a weeklong sell-off in chip stocks.The benchmark Nikkei 225 closed up 2,494.59 points, or 4.03%, at 64,362.02.Oil prices declined on improved crude and liquefied natural gas supply flows through key shipping routes even as escalating tensions between the US and Iran kept the Middle East outlook uncertain.On the corporate side, Murata Manufacturing (TYO:6981) posted a 64% year-over-year jump in attributable profit for the fiscal first quarter to 81.4 billion yen from 49.7 billion yen.Also, Otsuka (TYO:4578) raised its 2026 attributable profit forecast to 355 billion yen from 265 billion yen previously estimated, according to a Tokyo Stock Exchange filing on Friday.

Nikkei 225TYO:4578TYO:6981

US Markets6d ago

BOJ Holds Rate at 1%, Trims 2026 Inflation Forecast

The Bank of Japan kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1% on Friday, with the Policy Board voting 8-1 to maintain rates, while its accompanying quarterly Outlook Report lowered the near-term inflation projection.The interest rate decision matched the consensus forecast tracked by Investing.com.One board member voted against the rate decision, proposing instead that the BOJ raise the rate to around 1.25%, citing the need to adopt a nimble approach in response to upside risks to prices caused by demand shocks. The proposal was voted down by the majority.The decision followed the BOJ's June rate increase to the current 1.0% level, a 31-year high.In its latest quarterly Outlook for Economic Activity and Prices, the BOJ projected that the domestic economy will maintain a moderate pace of growth despite external pressures from high crude oil prices.The central bank cut its median headline inflation forecast for fiscal 2026 to a range of 2.3% to 2.7%, down from April's projection of 2.8% to 3.0%. Inflation is projected to ease further to between 2.2% and 2.5% in fiscal 2027.Policy board members project real GDP growth of 0.6% to 0.7% for fiscal 2026, lifting the lower end from 0.4% in April. Fiscal 2027 GDP is predicted to grow between 0.7% and 0.8%.The BOJ expects underlying inflation to hover around its 2% target, supported by rising wages and prices and medium- to long-term inflation expectations.The BOJ flagged risks to its outlook including the impact of the Middle East situation on economic activity and prices, developments in global AI-related demand and the effect of foreign exchange rates on the domestic market."In addition to these risks, a risk considered from a somewhat long-term perspective is the impact of various changes in the environment surrounding Japan on firms' and households' medium- to long-term growth expectations and on Japan's potential growth rate," the BOJ wrote.Ahead of the decision, Japan published a mixed set of economic reports earlier in the day, with retail sales slowing far more than expected and industrial output rising sharply, topping forecasts.

Nikkei 225

Asia6d ago

Market Chatter: South Korea Forex Intervention Lifts Won to Biggest Monthly Rise Since 2009

South Korea's rare dollar-selling foreign exchange intervention, alongside Japan on Thursday, lifted the won to a nine-month high, Reuters reported Friday, citing a market source.The two countries reportedly sold dollars in New York trading, while Japan bought yen, helping lift the yen from four-decade lows.Meanwhile, Korea's won strengthened 2% to 1,418 per dollar, its strongest level since Oct. 20. The currency has gained over 8% in July and is expected to post its biggest monthly rise since 2009.The South Korean Ministry of Finance and Economy toldthat it is unable to comment on or confirm this 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.)

^KOSDAQKOSPINikkei 225

International6d ago

Bank of Japan Cuts Inflation Forecasts, Expects Moderate Growth Amid Global Pressures

The Bank of Japan lowered its inflation outlook while projecting that the domestic economy will maintain a moderate pace of growth despite external pressures from high crude oil prices, according to its quarterly Outlook Report released Friday.The central bank reduced its median CPI forecast for fiscal 2026 to a range of 2.3% to 2.7%, down from April's projection of 2.8% to 3.0%. Inflation is projected to ease further to between 2.2% and 2.5% in fiscal 2027.Policy board members project real GDP growth of 0.6% to 0.7% for fiscal 2026, lifting the lower end from 0.4% in April. Fiscal 2027 GDP is predicted to grow between 0.7% and 0.8%.The BOJ expects underlying inflation to hover around its 2% target, supported by rising wages and prices and medium- to long-term inflation expectations.

Nikkei 225

Asia6d ago

Japan Earnings Wrap: Tokyo Electron, Mizuho Financial Rise, Nomura Research Slides

Japanese stocks reporting earnings traded mixed on Friday, with gains led by electronics manufacturers and banks, while think-tanks declined.Tokyo Electron's (TYO:8035) shares climbed over 7% after attributable net income for the fiscal first quarter surged 40% to 164.3 billion yen.The electronics company's earnings per share climbed to 360.15 yen while net sales grew 33.3% year on year to 732.4 billion yen for the three months ended June 30.For the six months ending Sept. 30, the company expects an attributable income of 349 billion yen, EPS of 767.51 yen, and net sales of 1.620 trillion yen.Mizuho Financial Group's (TYO:8411) stocks gained 5% after fiscal first quarter earnings soared 46% to 422.9 billion yen.The Japanese banking group's earnings per share increased to 173.53 yen while ordinary income rose 18% year on year to 2.521 trillion yen.For fiscal year 2026, the group forecasts an attributable profit of 1.400 trillion yen and EPS of 575.08 yen.Nomura Research Institute's (TYO:4307) shares plummeted 16% despite first-quarter results coming in higher. The think tank posted a 12% year-over-year increase in profit attributable to owners of the parent to 29.21 billion yen for the three months ended June 30.Earnings per share increased to 51.42 yen while revenues jumped 7.5% to 210.46 billion yen for the period.For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, the company projects an attributable profit of 119 billion yen, EPS of 209.46 yen, and revenue of 850 billion yen.

Nikkei 225TYO:4307TYO:8035TYO:8411

International6d ago

Bank of Japan Maintains Benchmark Interest Rate at 1%

The Bank of Japan voted to maintain its benchmark policy rate at 1.00% at the conclusion of its monetary policy meeting on Friday.The decision matched the consensus forecast tracked by Investing.com.The policy board decided, in an 8-1 vote, to continue guiding the uncollateralized overnight call rate to remain until the next monetary policy meeting.

Nikkei 225

Asia6d ago

Japanese Stocks Surge as AI Rally Fuels Broad Market Gains

Japanese equities advanced in early Friday trading, driven by renewed investor confidence in artificial intelligence-related sectors, following a rally in U.S. tech stocks.The Nikkei 225 opened marginally higher at 61,957.10, up 89.7 points, before soaring 5% within the first 30 minutes of trading.At home, core inflation in Tokyo, excluding fresh food, rose 1.9% year-on-year in July, marking a second consecutive monthly acceleration, according to government data released Friday.While the Bank of Japan is widely expected to keep its policy rate unchanged at today's meeting, according to Bloomberg News economist survey.

Nikkei 225

US Markets6d ago

Japan Retail Sales Growth Slows Sharply; Factory Output Accelerates

Japan's economy delivered a mixed set of readings on Friday, with retail sales growth in June slowing far more than expected, while industrial output rose sharply, topping expectations.The latest data complicates the economic picture for the Bank of Japan as it wraps up its policy meeting Friday.Retail sales expanded 0.5% year over year in June to 13 trillion yen, decelerating sharply from the 5% jump recorded in the previous month. The latest print missed the consensus forecast of 3.1% growth tracked by Investing.com.Meanwhile, industrial production rose 4.2% year over year, reversing the 2.1% drop the previous month. The recovery outpaced the Trading Economics forecast for a 1.8% expansion.Japan's labor market also tightened further in June, with the active jobs-to-applications ratio rising to 1.18 in June from 1.17 in May. The data beat the 1.17 consensus compiled by Investing.com and equates to 118 job openings for every 100 applicants.Overall, Japan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate steadied at 2.5% in June, matching the month-ago print and the consensus forecast tracked by Investing.com.Separately, Tokyo's headline consumer price index rose 2% year over year in July, accelerating from 1.7% in June and in line with Trading Economics' estimate. Core CPI, which excludes fresh food, rose 1.9%, up from 1.7% the prior month, while core-core inflation, which strips out both food and energy, quickened to 2% from 1.8%.The economic indicators come as the BOJ concludes its policy meeting Friday, with the central bank widely expected to hold its benchmark interest rate at a 31-year high of 1% after a 25-basis-point hike in June.ING economists Chris Turner and Padhraic Garvey wrote in a Tuesday note that the BOJ had kept a tightening bias after the June hike, concluding that "a further removal of monetary accommodation would be required."They added that despite acknowledging downside risks from the Middle East conflict, most expect the central bank to stick with its view that AI-related capital spending is supporting global demand."This probably means there will not be too many changes to the BoJ's forecast for modest GDP increases when it publishes its latest Outlook Report on Friday," they wrote.

Nikkei 225

International6d ago

Japan's Retail Sales Growth Slows to 0.5% in June

Japan's retail sales expanded 0.5% year over year in June to 13 trillion yen, according to preliminary data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on Friday.The reading missed the consensus forecast of 3.1% growth tracked by Investing.com, and compared with a 5% increase recorded in the previous month.On a seasonally adjusted month-over-month basis, retail trade declined 4.1%, following a 1.7% rise in the prior month.

Nikkei 225

International6d ago

Japan's Industrial Production Rises 4.2% in June

Japan's industrial production rose 4.2% year over year in June, according to data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) released on Friday.The reading beat the Trading Economics forecast for a 1.8% growth. It follows a 2.1% drop in the previous month.Shipments rose 2.7% year over year in June, while inventories shrank 2.7%.On a month-over-month basis, factory output edged up 1.3% during the month, driven primarily by production machinery, electrical machinery, and information and communication electronics equipment, and general-purpose and business-oriented machinery.

Nikkei 225

International6d ago

Tokyo Inflation Rises to 2% in July

Consumer prices in Japan's capital rose 2% year over year in July, as measured by the headline Tokyo consumer price index, according to data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on Friday.The latest pace of growth accelerated from the 1.7% increase the previous month, and was in line with Trading Economics' estimate.Meanwhile, core CPI, which strips out fresh food items, edged up 1.9% in July, faster than the 1.7% increase the previous month.Core-core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, accelerated to 2% from 1.8% in June.

Nikkei 225

International6d ago

Japan's Job Availability Ratio Rises in June

Japan's labor market tightness improved in June, with the active jobs-to-applications ratio growing to 1.18 from 1.17 in the prior month, according to data from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare released on Friday.The reading beat the consensus forecast of 1.17 tracked by Investing.com. The figure indicates that there were 118 available job openings for every 100 job seekers across the country.Meanwhile, the new jobs-to-applications ratio grew to 2.16 from 2.11 the previous month.

Nikkei 225

International6d ago

Japan's Unemployment Rate Steadies at 2.5% in June

Japan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate steadied at 2.5% in June, according to data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on Friday.The reading matched the consensus forecast of 2.5% tracked by Investing.com, and compared with the 2.5% recorded in the previous month.The total number of unemployed persons grew by 20,000 to 1.78 million year over year, while the number of employed persons expanded by 170,000 to 68.9 million.

Nikkei 225

International6d ago

Market Chatter: Japan PM Takaichi Pushes Two-Year Food Tax Cut Despite Fiscal Risks

Japan will proceed with a two-year food tax cut from 8% to 1% starting next April, despite the added pressure on Japan's already strained public finances, Reuters News reported on Thursday, citing Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments at a press conference.The move comes as her approval ratings slump, with households struggling under rising living costs driven by a weak yen and energy price shocks from the Middle East conflict, according to the report.Takaichi confirmed the plan after directing ruling party officials to lay the groundwork for the tax cut, the publication reported.(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 Markets6d ago

Tech Caution Limits Asian Stock Markets

Asian stock markets were mixed and relatively muted on Thursday as the tech rout mostly ebbed, but a major AI- and datacenter-related IPO slipped on its debut in Hong Kong.Tokyo and Hong Kong finished in the green, while Shanghai lost ground. Other regional exchanges were mixed on the downside.Brent oil futures held steady near $88 a barrel during Asian market hours.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened evenly and gained ground, finishing up 0.7% as tech issues firmed after recent bear moves.The benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 433.24 to 61,867.43, although losing issues outnumbered gainers 164 to 59, as the upside was somewhat confined to tech shares.Leading gainers was semiconductor test equipment maker Advantest, up 10.9%, while financial house Nomura declined 6.5% after reporting earnings.In economic news, Japan's consumer confidence index rose to 34.9 in July from 33.8 in June, and struck its highest level since February, reported the Cabinet Office.In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index closed up 0.2% as property issues firmed.The broad gauge Hang Seng rose 50.96 to 25,858.88, as gaining issues outnumbered losers 50 to 39. The Hang Seng TECH Index lost 1.3% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index rose 0.3%.Leading the upside was New Oriental Education & Technology, up 18.8% after reporting earnings, while Semiconductor Manufacturing International declined 7.1%.In market news, China-based Zhongji Innolight shares closed down 2% after its Hong Kong trading debut, testing the $6.8 billion IPO listing. The company is a major producer of optical receivers, used in data centers and cloud networks.On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite fell 0.6% to 3,804.69.On the other regional exchanges, the South Korean KOSPI fell 1.2%; the Taiwan TWSE declined 0.3%; the Australian ASX 200 declined 0.8%; the Singapore Straits Times Index fell 0.7%, and the Thai Set declined 1.6%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was up 0.3%.The MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index fell 0.2% on the day.

Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite

Asia6d ago

Japanese Stocks Rise Amid Fed Rate Hold, Oil Falls

Japanese stocks gained after the US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged and offered little clarity on its policy outlook, pushing the yield on 30-year Treasury bonds to its highest level in nearly 20 years.The benchmark Nikkei 225 closed up 433.24 points, or 0.71%, at 61,867.43.Oil prices slipped even as renewed tensions in the Middle East were sparked by the latest US retaliation following Iran's strikes on the US bases in the Gulf on Tuesday. The escalation could push oil prices higher again.On the corporate side, Toyota Motor (TYO:7203) reported its first-half global sales and production declined for the first time in two years, hit by slowing overseas demand, according to a Thursday release.Also, Tokyo Gas (TYO:9531) posted a 65% year-over-year decline in attributable profit for the fiscal first quarter to 35.6 billion yen from 101.7 billion yen.

Nikkei 225TYO:7203TYO:9531

International7d ago

Japan's Consumer Confidence Improves in July

Consumer confidence in Japan improved in July, with the index measuring sentiment rising to 34.9 from 33.8 in June, according to data from the Cabinet Office on Thursday.The latest reading beat the Investing.com forecast of 34.2.The improvement was driven by stronger sentiment across all four components of the consumer perception index.Sentiment on overall livelihood rose 1.1 points to 33.1, income growth increased 0.6 points to 40.9, employment prospects climbed 1.7 points to 40.1, and willingness to buy durable goods advanced 1 point to 25.6.

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