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Asia

Market Chatter: Oil Price Surge Clouds Japan's Earnings Season as Key Sectors Face Pressure

Japanese firms face a dimmer earnings outlook after the collapse of US-Iran peace talks drove oil prices higher, Bloomberg reported Monday, citing analysts.Chemical makers and other oil-dependent industries face acute vulnerability as the Strait of Hormuz blockade affects over 90% of Japan's crude imports, the news wire said.The surge in oil prices has prompted Nomura's (TYO:8604) Nomura Securities to lower its earnings forecasts for major firms, including Kao (TYO:4452) and Unicharm (TYO:8113), the publication said.Meanwhile, retailers have adopted a cautious stance: budget Italian chain Saizeriya (TYO:7581) cut its full-year profit guidance, and Aeon (TYO:8267) warned about soaring energy and logistics expenses, according to the report.Equity analysts downgraded earnings forecasts for Topix 500 companies in 113 cases last week, marking the first time since July that downgrades have outnumbered upgrades, the news outlet 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 225TYO:4452TYO:7581TYO:8113TYO:8267TYO:8604
International

Oil Goes Up, Asian Stock Markets Go Down

Asian stock markets fell back and oil prices rose after US President Donald Trump said the US will block the Strait of Hormuz, after ceasefire negotiations between Washington and Tehran collapsed over the weekend.Hong Kong and Tokyo finished in the red, while Shanghai inched into the green. Other regional exchanges largely declined, with Bangkok closed on holiday.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened lower and could not recover, finishing off 0.7% as traders weighed rising oil prices.Brent crude traded near $103 a barrel, up 8% from Friday. About 40% of oil consumed in the Asian Pacific passes through the Persian Gulf.The benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 421.34 to 56,502.77, as losing issues outnumbered gainers 157 to 63.Leading the upside was advertising-PR shop Dentsu, gaining 10.1%, while plumbing-fixtures maker Toto declined 7.2%.In other news, the Japanese national government approved another $4 billion of funds to state-backed Rapidus for R&D on advanced chips, bringing the total to over $14 billion in assistance, as Tokyo seeks reliable supply of semiconductors, reported The Mainichi newspaper.In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened lower and traded sideways, closing down 0.9% as traders weighed Persian Gulf turmoils.The broad gauge Hang Seng fell 232.69 to 25,660.85, as losing issues outnumbered gainers 64 to 22. The Hang Seng TECH Index lost 0.8% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index fell 0.5%.Leading the upside was EV-maker BYD, gaining 5% on reports of strong sales, while JD Health International declined 9.4%.On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.1 % to 3,988.56.On the other regional exchanges, the S. Korean KOSPI fell 0.9%; the Taiwan TWSE inclined 0.1%; the Australian ASX 200 declined 0.4%, and the Singapore Straits Times Index fell 0.1%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was down 1%The MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index fell 0.9% on the day.

Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite
Asia

S&P Sees Divergence in Asian Tech Firms' Cost Absorption Ability Amid Middle East Conflict

The Middle East conflict reveals gaps in the capacity of Asian technology companies to buffer against increased costs, S&P Global Ratings said in a Monday release.The rating agency considers high-end chip producers as faring well when increasing prices, backed by favorable demand and solid investment in AI data centers.However, consumer electronics have the weakest ability to pass through costs, while electronics manufacturers would also be exposed to dampened demand under a protracted war, S&P said.In S&P's base-case scenario, under which the Strait of Hormuz's closure eases in April, its rated technology firms in the region have solid financial ability to cushion against the impacts, credit analyst Cathy Lai said.A prolonged conflict would hit larger tech firms' supply chain and impact electronic product makers' margins and demand, Lai said.Most producers, as well as logistics companies, will be vulnerable under disruption to power supply and some key raw materials, S&P said.Regions reliant on liquefied natural gas and oil imports from Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries house most advanced semiconductor manufacturers, with Taiwan being the most vulnerable, the rating agency said.For crucial raw materials, helium is the most susceptible given its use in semiconductor manufacturing, although S&P believes leading companies have ample helium inventory to offset near-term risk.Companies with solid supply chains and investment in the AI market will potentially retain their credit profiles, while those dependent on commoditized consumer segments will see greater pressure, Lai said.

ASX 200Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite^SZSE
International

Asia Week Ahead: GDP Growth; Trade Data; and Inflation Prints

For the week ahead in Asia, markets will be focused on a slate of monthly data that will help investors assess how the Middle East conflict is feeding into economic conditions across the region.The week opens Monday with New Zealand's services sector survey and India's March inflation print, as well as a scheduled speech by the Bank of Japan's governor that could offer clues on the timing of a possible rate hike.Attention then shifts Tuesday to China's trade figures and a monetary policy decision in Singapore, alongside business and consumer confidence readings from Australia and industrial production data from Japan.Midweek brings trade and labor market data from India and South Korea, while Thursday is headlined by China's first-quarter GDP report and a broad batch of activity indicators.Friday rounds off the week with Malaysia's preliminary first-quarter GDP and inflation data, as well as Singapore's March trade numbers, including non-oil exports.Here's what to watch in the week ahead.MONDAY, April 13The week kicked off with a report indicating New Zealand's services sector shrank for the third consecutive month as the conflict in the Middle East impacted consumer confidence.The BusinessNZ Performance of Services Index for March came in at 46.0, down 1.6 points from February and 6.6 points lower than the long-term average of 52.8."So poor was the PSI reading that our combined PMI/PSI indicator is suggesting the economy could soon be contracting," said Stephen Toplis, BNZ's head of research.Outside of New Zealand, markets will be on the look out for India's March inflation print.A consensus compiled by Trading Economics indicated that the pace of price increase may have quickened during the month to around 3.5% year on year from the 3.2% recorded in February.The March print will give observers the first real look on how the Indian economy is faring after war broke out in the Middle East.While overall inflation is expected to rise, core inflation--which excludes the impact of some items--is likely to clock in at below 4%, giving the Reserve Bank of India room to shy away from a hawkish stance near term, economists at DBS said, the Wall Street Journal reported.Meanwhile, markets will also be closely following a scheduled speech by Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda on the possible timing of a rate hike. The central bank is reportedly considering a rate hike this month to counter price pressures from the Iran war.Elsewhere, Indonesia reported a 6.5% annual rise in retail sales during February, quickening from the 5.7% growth witnessed a month prior.TUESDAY, April 14China's trade figures will capture headlines Tuesday.The world's second-largest economy could report a trade surplus of $112 billion in March, higher than the $91 billion captured in February, according to a consensus compiled by Trading Economics.Despite the rising surplus, economists at ING said they expect March export growth to moderate from the figures seen in the first two months of the year.A monetary policy decision and an advance estimate of GDP growth in the first quarter is expected in Singapore.Unlike other economies, Singapore tweaks its currency exchange rate rather than its domestic interest rates to control inflation. While the Monetary Authority of Singapore has not adjusted its policy since April 2025, it is now expected to tighten the valves in response to the Middle East conflict, according to a survey of economists compiled by Bloomberg, CNA Digital reported.Meanwhile, Singapore's economy likely slowed during the first three months of the year due to a pullback in manufacturing activity, the WSJ reported, citing Barclays economists.The city-state's economy expanded 6.9% year-on-year in the final quarter of 2025 and by 5% during the entirety of the year.In January, the city-state had upgraded its 2026 forecast to a range of 2% to 4%, with growth outlook raised to 3%. However, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said in March the government will reassess its GDP forecast following the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran.A pair of reports covering business and consumer confidence in Australia are expected.Consumer confidence was near the bottom of its 18-month range in March, and the April survey was shaping up for a bigger drop as consumers reckoned with the implications of the conflict in the Middle East, the National Australia Bank said in a preview.Meanwhile, the March business confidence report should capture the flow through impacts from the energy crisis and higher borrowing costs in Australia, Westpac said."Widespread supply disruptions and soaring energy costs are likely to be reflected in higher business input and output costs," the firm said in a note.Japan's industrial production stats will also be in focus on Tuesday, while India will release wholesale price inflation data the same day.WEDNESDAY, April 15A slew of macro data from India and South Korea will be in the news Wednesday.India will report its trade figures for March which could show a widening of the trade deficit to $32.75 billion from $27.1 billion in the month prior, according to a consensus compiled by Trading Economics.Labor data, due the same day, could show unemployment climbed to 5.1% from 4.9% in February, according to another Trading Economics consensus estimate.South Korea will similarly report March labor data and export and import prices.Unemployment in South Korea has been on a downward trajectory since December when it stood at 3.3%. The most recent reading was of 2.9%.Japan's machinery orders stats are also scheduled for release Wednesday.THURSDAY, April 16Markets will turn their attention to a flurry of data coming in from China, including the closely watched GDP growth rate for the first quarter of the year.Analysts place China's Q1 GDP growth rate at 4.9% year on year, rising from the 4.5% recorded in the closing months of 2025, the WSJ reported. Economists at DBS attributed the expected rise in growth to a jump in overseas demand for Chinese goods, the WSJ added.The GDP release will be accompanied by China's house price index, offering an insight into new home prices across 70 cities that markets use as a benchmark. New prices are expected to stay in negative territory, though any moderation would be viewed positively, economists at ING said.Additional releases will include China's industrial production data, retail sales figures, and unemployment stats."Other than industrial production, which we expect to grow around 5.5% YoY, economic activity data is likely to remain rather soft in March," ING said in a preview.Labor data from Australia is also expected Thursday.The National Australia Bank expects the jobless rate to stay at 4.3%, with employment rising by 25,000. "While the survey period captures the escalation in the Middle East conflict, it is likely too early to see a response to this reflected in the data," NAB said in a note.The Reuters Tankan Index for April, a key gauge of Japanese business confidence, will be due the same day.FRIDAY, April 17The week rounds off with Malaysia's preliminary GDP growth rate figures for the first quarter of the year.Economists at ANZ expect first-quarter growth to ease to 5.3% from the 6.3% recorded in the final quarter of 2025, the WSJ reported. Despite stronger agriculture output, the Malaysian economy saw industrial and retail activity moderate during the opening months of 2026, the report said, citing ANZ.Malaysia's inflation data is also expected Friday, with Trading Economics forecasting the pace of price increase to quicken to 1.8% year on year from the 1.4% recorded in February.Singapore reports March trade data, including non-oil exports, the same day.

ASX 200^BSE^JKSEFTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCIKOSPINikkei 225^NSE^NZ50Shanghai Composite^STI^SZSE
Asia

Middle East Conflict Indirectly Impacts Asia-Pacific Insurers, S&P Says

The Middle East conflict indirectly impacts Asia-Pacific insurers mostly through financial market volatility, S&P Global Ratings said in a recent release.The rating agency expects risks to be manageable under its base-case scenario of the war peaking and the Strait of Hormuz's closure easing during April.S&P expects the insurers to have ample capital buffers to cushion against investment and underwriting stresses from the conflict under the base-case scenario.However, risks could exacerbate under further disruption in the oil markets, with insurers from low-income net energy-importing economies the most exposed, S&P said.Possible losses for the region's insurers will stem from marine and cargo policies given Middle Eastern trade flows, although the segment accounts for a small portion of overall premiums, S&P said.A protracted conflict would raise input costs for insurers, dampen the macroeconomic environment, and worsen living costs, according to credit analyst Philip Chung.Meanwhile, nonlife insurers would face increased claims expenses in motor, property, and commercial lines, leading to increased premiums, the analyst said.

ASX 200Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite^SZSE
Japan

Japan Shares Fall on BOJ Tightening Bets Amid Hormuz Tensions

Japanese shares closed lower on Monday as expectations that the Bank of Japan could tighten policy to support the yen and curb inflation lifted sentiment, after comments from Japan's trade minister pointed to potential rate hikes to counter price pressures linked to the Iran war.U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions with Iran following the collapse of weekend peace talks.The Nikkei 225 fell 0.74%, or 421.34 points, to close at 56,502.77.Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's top trade negotiator at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, was responding to a proposal raised during a television programme that a stronger yen could help ease rising crude oil import costs.Akazawa said such a policy direction could be considered as one option while assessing its impact on the broader economy, adding that the central bank's 2% inflation target was within reach even as real interest rates remained low.On the corporate front, Renova (TYO:9519) shares rose 5% after it reported March electricity sales beat plan and jumped on year, with limited impact from output curtailment.The Shikoku Bank (TYO:8387) shares gained 6% after it unveiled a three-year plan targeting higher profit and improved capital efficiency through digital transformation.Sakura Internet (TYO:3778) shares climbed 7% after it secured a 3.8 billion yen generative AI infrastructure order expected to support earnings.

Nikkei 225TYO:3778TYO:8387TYO:9519
International

Market Chatter: BOJ Rate Hike and Stronger Yen Could Curb Inflation, Says Japan Trade Minister

Japan's trade minister Ryosei Akazawa said the Bank of Japan could tame inflation by boosting the yen, as the central bank considers a rate hike this month to counter price pressures from the Iran war, Reuters reported Monday, citing the official.Akazawa - who serves as both Japan's top trade negotiator and head of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry- made these remarks on a television talk show in reply to an economist's argument that a stronger yen would ease the higher expenses of importing crude oil, the news wire said.On the same NHK program, Hideo Kumano, chief economist at Dai-ichi Life Research Institute, stated that if the BOJ used policy to lift the yen by roughly 10% to 15%, it could curb price increases across the economy, including for food, which represents a large portion of household spending.(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 Fall as Trump Vows Hormuz Blockade After Failed Iran Talks

Japanese stocks fell at the start of the trading week following the breakdown of US-Iran negotiations, amplified by Trump's vow of an immediate U.S. Navy blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.The Nikkei 225 opened lower by 502.7 points, or 0.9%, at 56,421.46.Brent crude breached the $100-mark again amid fears the US blockade would disrupt energy flows through the strategic waterway.Trump, on his social media post, declared that Washington would intercept any ship that paid Tehran for secure transit through the strait and would also remove any mines present in the waterway.Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command stated that American forces would enforce a halt to all maritime traffic entering or departing Iranian ports starting Monday at 10 a.m. New York time.Friday's economic data revealed a sharp rise in U.S. consumer prices - the largest since 2022 - though the core inflation reading was relatively moderate, along with a decline in consumer sentiment.

Nikkei 225
Asia

Trump Declares Immediate U.S. Navy Blockade of Hormuz After Iran Talks Fail

U.S. President Donald Trump warned on social media that the U.S. Navy would immediately begin blockading all ships attempting to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz after a failed talk with Tehran.Trump said in a Truth Social post on Sunday that while the goal is eventually to reach an "all being allowed to go in, all being allowed to go out" arrangement, Iran has prevented this by citing vague concerns about undisclosed mines."Iran has not allowed that to happen by merely saying, 'There may be a mine out there somewhere,' that nobody knows about but them," Trump wrote.Trump further directed the Navy to intercept any vessel in international waters that has paid a toll to Iran while also ordering the destruction of mines allegedly laid by Iran in the strait and warning that any Iranian attack on U.S. or peaceful vessels would result in them being "BLOWN TO HELL."Meanwhile, Reuters News, citing the U.S. Central Command, reported that the blockade of all maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports is set to begin at 10 a.m. ET on Monday.The command clarified that freedom of navigation would remain unaffected for ships transiting the strait to non-Iranian ports, with formal notices to be issued to commercial mariners beforehand, the newswire said.

^BSE^HNX^HOSE^Hang Seng^JKSEFTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI^KOSDAQKOSPINikkei 225^NSE^PSEI^SETShanghai Composite^STI^SZSETaiwan Weighted
International

Ceasefire Prospects Lift Asian Stock Markets

Asian stock markets gained ground Friday, after media reports that US-Iran ceasefire negotiations will take place on Saturday in Pakistan.Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo finished in the green, as did most other regional exchanges.Brent oil futures held under $100 a barrel, near $96 during Asian trading hours.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened higher and rose to the close, finishing up 1.8% as traders weighed a profit report from a major retailer and mulled Middle East peace prospects.The benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 1,028.79 to 56,924.11, although losing issues outnumbered gainers 146 to 75.Leading the upside was Fast Retailing, up 12% after reporting H1 earnings and issuing upbeat guidance. Consultancy BayCurrent declined 5.8%.In economic news, Japan's producer price index (PPI) rose 2.6% on year in March, after rising 2.1% on year in February, pushed by higher oil bills, reported the Bank of Japan.In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened higher and held ground, closing up 0.6% after an inflation report from Beijing suggested the nation's bout with industrial-price deflation may be ebbing.The broad gauge Hang Seng rose 141.14 to 25,893.54 as gaining issues outnumbered losers 56 to 31. The Hang Seng TECH Index gained 0.8% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index rose 0.4%.Leading the upside was Contemporary Amperex Technology, gaining 9%, while noodle-maker Tingyi declined 3.3%.On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.5% to 3,986.22.In economic news, China's producer price index (PPI) rose 0.5% on year in March, snapping a 41-month stretch of contraction, reported the National Bureau of Statistics.China's consumer price index (CPI) rose 1% in March on year, slipping February's 1.3% reading, added the NBS.On the other regional exchanges, the S. Korean KOSPI rose 1.4%; the Taiwan TWSE inclined 1.6%; the Australian ASX 200 declined 0.1%; the Singapore Straits Times Index rose 0.3%, and the Thai Set inclined 1.2%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was up 1.2%The MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index rose 0.7% on the day.

Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite
US Markets

Japan Producer Prices Edge Higher in March

Japan's producer prices edged higher in March, as domestic enterprises faced rising fuel bills.Japan's producer price index (PPI) rose 2.6% on year in March, after rising 2.1% on year in February, reported the Bank of Japan on Friday.The PPI rose 0.8% in March from February, as the petroleum and coal sub-index PPI rose 7.7% on month, reflecting the jump in global fuel prices after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in early March.About 20% of global oil production flows through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed by Iran.Japan's PPI measures selling prices received by domestic producers for goods at the factory gate, in business transactions with large buyers. It is distinct from the consumer price index (CPI), which measures prices in retail locations.Other PPI sub-indices were generally muted in March, although the textile products rose 3% from February, reported the Bank of Japan.Japan's PPI had accelerated during the pandemic era, striking a crest of a 10.6% on-year gain in December 2022.More recently, the nation's PPI rose more than 4% on year in early 2025, but since then has been gradually easing, until the March report.The PPI is considered one of the leading indicators of a nation's consumer prices, as retailers try to recoup the costs of acquiring goods to stock shelves.The Bank of Japan has a 2% annual inflation target on Japan's CPI-core, which strips out fresh food prices. That metric logged a 1.6% on-year gain in February, down from a 2% rise in November 2025, reported officials.The next Bank of Japan policy meeting is slated for late April. Central bankers will face oil-price-induced inflation, but also an economy that is growing sluggishly, and may be hamstrung by higher fuel bills.

Nikkei 225
Asia Markets

Japan Shares Rise as Oil Stockpile Release Eases Supply Concerns

Japanese shares closed the week higher after the government said it would release 20 days' worth of oil reserves from May to stabilize domestic supply and offset disruptions linked to Middle East tensions.The Nikkei 225 rose 1.84%, or 1,028.79 points, to close at 56,924.11.The U.S. and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, but Iran's Strait of Hormuz blockade continues to strain global energy supplies. Japan, which depends on the Middle East for about 95% of its oil, began releasing reserves on March 16 under a 50-day plan with allies.An additional 20 days' supply will come from public stockpiles. As of April 7, Japan held reserves covering 228 days, including 143 days in government stockpiles, and will act independently while coordinating with the International Energy Agency.In economic news, Japan's producer prices rose in March, with the corporate goods price index up 0.8% on month and 2.6% on year, driven by higher fuel and import costs, while export prices rose 0.8% and import prices gained 1.5%.Japan's bank lending rose 4.8% on year in March to about 667.021 trillion yen, accelerating from February, led by major banks, while regional and shinkin banks saw slower growth.On the corporate front, Astroscale (TYO:186A) shares rose 8% after its Japan unit secured a 1.25 billion yen grant from JAXA for a space technology project focused on in-orbit refueling.W Scope (TYO:6619) shares fell 16% after it said it missed Prime Market tradable market cap requirements, citing weak EV demand and risk of delisting if unmet by 2027.Toho (TYO:8129) shares slipped 3% after it extended its review period for a proposed large-scale share purchase by 3D Investment Partners to April 28.

Nikkei 225TYO:186TYO:6619TYO:8129
Japan

Japanese Stocks Up Marginally on Friday's Opening Session Ahead of US-Iran Talks

Japanese shares moved higher at the start of Friday's trading session, although investor sentiment remained guarded due to an unstable ceasefire in the Middle East just before scheduled US-Iran negotiations over the weekend.The Nikkei 225 rose 0.7%, or 370.5 points, to 56,265.77 at the opening bell.Crude oil prices saw a roughly 1% increase, climbing to just under $97 per barrel, following President Donald Trump's warning to Iran about fees imposed on vessels transiting the strategically critical but largely closed Strait of Hormuz.Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to engage in direct talks with Lebanon, primarily aimed at disarming Hezbollah, which is aligned with Tehran, according to various reports.In economic data, the U.S. recorded a slower expansion in the last quarter of 2025 than earlier estimated, while the Asian Development Bank warned that even with stable oil prices, the Middle East conflict's ripple effects across manufacturing and tourism would likely slow Asia's economic growth.The ADB projects that advanced economies in Asia and the Pacific will see growth ease from 2.5% last year to 2.2% in 2026, driven by deceleration in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan, with inflation in developing Asia expected to accelerate to 3.6% this year from 3% in 2025, primarily due to higher energy costs.

Nikkei 225
US Markets

Middle East War Dents Japan Consumer Confidence

Undercut by Middle East war and rising fuel prices, Japan's seasonally adjusted Consumer Confidence Index declined to 33.3 in March, down from 39.7 in February, reported the Cabinet Office on Thursday.Consumer confidence index readings above 50 indicate optimism and improved mood, while results below 50 reflect pessimism.In the subcategories, the March index for "overall livelihood" logged 29.7 in March, down from 39.5 in February.For "income growth," the consumer index struck 39.8 in March, off from 42.3 in February, said the Cabinet Office.The "employment" index posted at 37.6 in March, off from 43.3 in the previous month.And the "willingness to buy durable goods" index declined to 26.0 in March, off from 33.7 in February, said the Cabinet Office.With fuel bills in mind, 93.1% of survey respondents in March expected overall prices to rise in the next 12 months, noted the Cabinet Office.The consumer confidence index survey was conducted on March 15, and polled 8,400 households, with a 76.3% response rate, added the Cabinet Office.The declining consumer confidence report followed on the heels of a soft Economy Watchers bulletin, issued on Wednesday.Japan's Economy Watchers Survey index fell to 42.2 in March from 48.9 in February, striking the lowest level since February 2022.The monthly Japan Economy Watchers Survey measures the economic sentiment of workers in consumer-facing industries, such as taxi drivers, hotel staff, and restaurant employees.

Nikkei 225
US Markets

Japan Machine Tool Orders Jump 28% in March

Japanese machinery orders rose 28% year over year to 193.51 billion yen in March, the Japan Machine Tool Builders Association (JMTBA) reported Thursday.The figures reflect a rebound in global industrial capital expenditure, as well as increased industrial demand, according to an analysis by trading platform AInvest on the same day.The figure surpassed a 24% increase in the previous month, AInvest said.External demand jumped 40% year over year to 143 billion yen during the month, while domestic demand edged up 2.5% year over year to 50.5 billion yen, the JMTBA said in its March report.For the first quarter, total orders increased 26% year over year to 485.8 billion yen.External orders surged 35% year on year to 365.5 billion yen, while domestic orders inched up 4.6% to 120.3 billion yen.

Nikkei 225
Asia Markets

Middle East War Uncertainty Caps Asian Stock Markets

Asian stock markets largely fell back Thursday, as traders looked for clarity on the status of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf war.Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tokyo finished in the red, while other regional exchanges were mixed.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened evenly but declined in trading, finishing off 0.7% as traders booked profits after Wednesday's rally following reports of a Middle East ceasefire.The benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 413.10 to 55,895.32, as losing issues outnumbered gainers 169 to 54.Leading the upside was Yokogawa Electric, up 4.1%, while retail conglomerate Aeon declined 8.2%.In economic news, Japan's seasonally adjusted Consumer Confidence Index declined to 33.3 in March, down from 39.7 in February, reported the Cabinet Office.Japan's machine tool orders jumped by 28.1% year-on-year in March, driven by a 40.4% surge in offshore demand, reported the Japan Machine Tool Builders Association.In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened lower and could not recover, closing down 0.5% on ebbing optimism regarding Middle East negotiations.The broad gauge Hang Seng fell 140.62 to 25,752.40 as losing issues outnumbered gainers 53 to 36. The Hang Seng TECH Index lost 2.1% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index fell 0.3%.Leading the upside was aluminum producer China Hongqiao, gaining 5.2%, while property company Longfor declined 5.6%.On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite fell 0.7% to 3,966.17.On the other regional exchanges, the South Korean KOSPI fell 1.6%; the Taiwan TWSE rose 0.3%; the Australian ASX 200 gained 0.2%; the Singapore Straits Times Index fell 0.4%, and the Thai Set inclined 0.3%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was down 1.2%.The MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index fell 0.9% on the day.

Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite

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