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Nikkei 225

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International

Persian Gulf, Tech Outlooks Fuel Asian Stock Markets

Asian stock markets rallied on Friday, on prospects that the Strait of Hormuz may soon open to oil-tanker traffic, pursuant to a pending Iran-US ceasefire arrangement.Hong Kong and Tokyo finished in the green, while Shanghai lagged. Other regional exchanges largely gained ground, with new all-time highs set on equity indices in Seoul and Taiwan.Brent crude oil futures traded near $91.38 a barrel, off 1.3%, during Asian trading hours.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened higher and rose to the close, finishing up 2.5% on media reports that Tehran and Washington have tentatively agreed to extend a ceasefire for 60 days.The benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 1,636.38 to 66,329.50, to strike a fresh all-time zenith, as gaining issues outnumbered losers 162 to 61.Leading the upside was silicon-wafer maker Sumco, up 19.3%, while Mitsubishi Motors declined 8.5%.In economic news, Tokyo's consumer price index-core (CPI-core) that strips out fresh food bills, rose 1.3% on year in May, reported the Statistics Bureau.The nation's unemployment rate fell to 2.5% in April from 2.7% in March, added officials.The nation's retail sales in April grew 2.1% on-year, and industrial production in Japan increased by 2.3% in April on year, reported the Ministry of Economy Trade & Industry (METI).In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened higher and held ground, finishing up 0.7% on strength in property issues.The broad gauge Hang Seng rose 176.23 to 25,182.39, as gaining issues outnumbered losers 64 to 25. The Hang Seng TECH Index lost 0.1% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index rose 2%.Leading the upside was computer-maker and AI-hardware maker Lenovo, gaining 22%, while Semiconductor Manufacturing International declined 7.5%.On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite fell 0.7% to 4,068.57.On the other regional exchanges, the S. Korean KOSPI rose 3.6%; the Taiwan TWSE inclined 2.5%; the Australian ASX 200 inclined 1.6%; the Singapore Straits Times Index rose 1%, and the Thai Set was steady. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was down 1.4%.The MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index rose 1.7% on the day.

Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite
Asia

Market Chatter: Chinese Tungsten Exports to Japan Halve in April

China's exports of tungsten to Japan halved in April from the 2025 monthly average following Beijing's export restrictions on the mineral, Nikkei Asia reported Friday.The restrictions forced Japanese firms to look for other sources of the metal, increasing imports of tungsten scrap from the U.S. and elsewhere, the report said.Tungsten is used to manufacture carbide tools for aircraft and automobile parts, 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 225Shanghai Composite^SZSE
International

Japan's Consumer Confidence Edges Up in May

Japan's consumer confidence index rose to 33.6 in May from 32.2 in the previous month, Cabinet Office data showed Friday.The overall livelihood index climbed 3 points month on month to 31.2, while the income growth index edged up 0.5 points to 40.3.The employment index increased 0.9 points to 38.3, while willingness to buy durable goods rose 1.2 points to 24.4.Looking ahead, 93.5% of respondents expect prices to go up, while 1.9% anticipate a decline and 2.6% expect prices to stay the same, the report said.

Nikkei 225
Asia

Japanese Shares End Week With Gains on Hopes of US-Iran Ceasefire Extension

Japanese shares ended the week on a high, closing with gains on Friday, driven by optimism in global markets over a tentative 60-day ceasefire extension and renewed nuclear talks between the US and Iran.The Nikkei 225 closed up 1,636.38 points or 2.5% at 66,329.50.The drop in oil prices, with Brent crude falling towards $93 per barrel, also helped to lift investor sentiment.News platform Axios reported that the U.S. ​and Iran agreed on ​a 60-day memorandum ⁠of ​understanding to extend ​the ceasefire and launch negotiations ​on ​Iran's nuclear program. However, US ⁠President Donald Trump has yet to give final approval to the proposals.If approved, the deal will allow unrestricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, easing trade woes.Domestic investor mood was uplifted by the growth in Japan's retail sales by 2.1% year-on-year to 13.217 trillion yen in April, according to preliminary data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry on Friday.The ministry also released data that showed Japan's industrial production index rose at a seasonally adjusted 0.8% in April from the month prior, and increased 2.3% from a year ago.Also, Japan's unemployment rate eased to 2.5% in April compared with the previous month's 2.7%, according to government data released on Friday.On the corporate side, Mitsui & Co (TYO:8031) plans to expand its liquefied natural gas investments across the Middle East, the U.S., and Australia, as the Japanese trading giant responds to surging electricity demand from data centers worldwide, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing CEO Kenichi Hori.Also, Nikon (TYO:7731) aims to revive its semiconductor photolithography business by offering lower prices than Dutch rival ASML, which controls over 80% of the market, Nikkei Asia reported on Friday, citing newly appointed president and CEO, Yasuhiro Ohmura.

Nikkei 225TYO:7731TYO:8031
Tokyo's Core Inflation Hits Lowest Since 2022
US Markets

Tokyo's Core Inflation Hits Lowest Since 2022

Tokyo's core consumer prices rose 1.3% year over year in May, slowing from 1.5% in April, according to data released Friday.The reading in Japan's capital marked the slowest pace since March 2022 and came in below market expectations.Inflation remained below the Bank of Japan's 2% target for a fourth consecutive month, as government fuel subsidies and favorable base effects helped offset higher raw material and energy costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East.An inflation gauge closely watched by the Bank of Japan, which excludes both fresh food and energy, rose 1.6% in May from a year earlier, easing from 1.9% in April.The Tokyo inflation gauge is widely viewed as a leading indicator of nationwide consumer prices.The figures will be among the indicators the central bank will scrutinize at its next policy meeting, where markets expect it to raise its short-term policy rate to 1% from 0.75%."The April activity data show that Japan's economy is shrugging off the energy cost shock and cement the case for a BOJ rate hike next month," Marcel Thieliant, head of Asia-Pacific at Capital Economics, said, according to Reuters.Despite the softer inflation reading, analysts expect price pressures to reaccelerate in the coming months as higher oil prices and rising import costs from a weaker yen filter through the economy."There is no strong momentum in inflation, but upside risks are looming large due to the Iran conflict," Yoshiki Shinke, senior executive economist at Daiichi Life Research Institute, was quoted as saying by Bloomberg News.Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda recently met Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and agreed to maintain close communication on monetary policy, although he said they did not discuss the possibility of a June rate increase.Recent hawkish remarks from BOJ policymakers have nevertheless prompted investors to price in roughly an 80% chance of a rate increase at the June 15-16 meeting.

Nikkei 225
International

Japan Retail Sales Accelerate in April

Japan's retail sales grew 2.1% year-on-year to 13.217 trillion yen in April, preliminary data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry on Friday showed.The reading is higher than the 1.4% growth rate the prior month and is the highest in 12 months.Retail sales climbed 0.2% in food and beverage, surged 15.4% in motor vehicles, jumped 5.5% in machinery and equipment, but contracted 9% in fuel.Further, commercial sales gained 5.4% on year to 55.64 trillion yen, while wholesale trade jumped 6.5% to 42.423 trillion yen, the data showed.

Nikkei 225
Asia

Japan's Industrial Production Edges Up 0.8% in April

Japan's industrial production index rose at a seasonally adjusted 0.8% in April from the month prior, and increased 2.3% from a year ago, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said on Friday.The monthly decrease was mainly contributed by general-purpose and business-oriented machinery, electrical machinery, and information and communication electronics equipment and other manufacturing.The shipments in Japan climbed by a seasonally adjusted 1.5% compared with March, while inventories slipped 0.2% month on month.On year-on-year basis, shipments increased by 2% and inventories dropped 4.9%.

Nikkei 225
Japan's Jobless Rate Falls to Nine-Month Low in April
US Markets

Japan's Jobless Rate Falls to Nine-Month Low in April

Japan's unemployment rate eased to 2.5% in April from 2.7% in March, according to government data released Friday.The latest print was also below market expectations and marked the lowest jobless rate since July 2025.The number of employed people rose to a seasonally adjusted 68.8 million from 68.2 million a month earlier, while the number of unemployed fell to 1.8 million from 1.9 million.The labor market data came as Japan's key inflation gauge showed signs of easing.Core consumer prices, which exclude fresh food, rose 1.4% in April from a year earlier, the slowest pace in four years and below economists' expectations.The softer inflation reading was partly attributed to government measures to ease cost-of-living pressures, including energy subsidies, and could complicate expectations for a near-term Bank of Japan rate hike."This data leaves room for debate whether there is a pressing need for the BOJ to raise rates soon," Taro Saito, head of economic research at NLI Research Institute, was quoted as saying by Bloomberg News."Of course, you can argue that a real rate is too low, so more hikes are justified," he added.Meanwhile, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda earlier this week cautioned against drawing simple conclusions from the recent surge in energy prices, saying the inflationary impact would depend on a range of factors beyond oil costs alone."Central banks should not look at oil prices in isolation. The same oil price increase can have very different effects depending on wages, expectations, demand, and exchange rates," Ueda said.Ueda stopped short of signaling the timing of the central bank's next policy move, even as policymakers have become increasingly concerned about higher crude oil prices stemming from tensions in the Middle East and their potential impact on inflation."Looking ahead, higher oil prices will likely ripple through a broad range of items, keeping the Bank of Japan on guard against inflation overshoots. We still expect the BOJ to raise its policy rate to 1% in June," Taro Kimura said, according to Bloomberg.

Nikkei 225
International

Japan's Unemployment Rate Cools to 2.5% in April

Japan's unemployment rate eased to 2.5% in April compared with the previous month's 2.7%, according to government data released on Friday.The data showed that the number of people employed in April increased to a seasonally adjusted 68.76 million from 68.15 million the month prior, while the number of jobless people declined to 1.79 million from 1.86 million a month ago.

Nikkei 225
Asia

Japanese Stocks Rise at Open on US-Iran Ceasefire Extension

Japanese equities climbed at Friday's open following news of a tentative 60-day ceasefire extension and renewed nuclear talks between the US and Iran.The Nikkei 225 rose 440.9 points or 0.7% to reach 65,133.97 at the opening bell.Oil prices eased slightly on Friday, with Brent crude falling 0.6% to settle at $93.71 a barrel. The development fueled cautious optimism that the three-month-long conflict could be moving toward a resolution, although President Donald Trump has not yet approved the terms.At home, Tokyo's core consumer price index, which excludes fresh food, rose 1.3% in May from a year earlier, marking the slowest pace in four years. The latest print complicates efforts by Bank of Japan policymakers to build a case for raising interest rates as early as next month.

Nikkei 225
International

Tokyo Inflation Slows to Four-Year Low in May

Tokyo's core consumer price index, which excludes fresh food, rose 1.3% in May from a year earlier, marking the slowest pace in four years, according to official government data on Friday.The reading marks the sixth consecutive month of cooling in the capital.Excluding both fresh food and energy, the print showed a 1.6% rise compared with 1.9% in April.Headline CPI, which includes all items, grew 1.4%, slower than the 1.5% rise in April.

Nikkei 225
International

Market Chatter: Japan's Oil Imports Plunge Nearly 50% Amid US-Iran War, Forcing Shift to US Crude

An analysis of tanker tracking data from Kpler showed that Japanese crude oil imports dropped 47% year-on-year from March through May, as the US-Iran conflict disrupts shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, Nikkei reported on Friday.Global Middle Eastern crude exports fell 48% during the period, while Japan experienced the steepest decline among the world's top ten oil importers, dropping from seventh place in 2025 to an even sharper contraction this year, said the news agency.To compensate, Tokyo has pivoted to US crude, which surged from 2% of Japan's petroleum imports in February to over 20% by May, while the share from Saudi Arabia and the UAE fell from 90% to 60%, the publication said.The crisis underscores Japan's vulnerability to Middle Eastern supply disruptions, though the government began releasing strategic reserves in late March and retains enough stockpiled oil to cover more than 200 days of domestic consumption, 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
Asia

Market Chatter: Japanese Hotel Rates Hit Record High in April as US and European Tourists Surge, Chinese Visitors Decline

Average hotel room rates in Japan hit a new April record of 23,397 yen, rising 4.6% from last year's high, Nikkei Asia reported Friday, citing data from STR, a CoStar Group subsidiary.The growth was driven by strong inbound demand from travelers in the U.S., Europe, and Australia, the report said.In contrast, Chinese visitor numbers dropped as Beijing continued to discourage travel to Japan over political tensions, the news daily said.Highlighting the sustained demand, Nikkei noted a tour guide managing two- to three-week itineraries across Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima, with many of those bookings made more than a year in advance.Hotel demand stayed robust throughout cherry blossom season, supported by favorable weather, Nikkei said.The weak yen also provided a boost in April compared with last year, the report said, citing hotel operator Hilton.(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: US, Iran Reach Tentative 60-Day Ceasefire Extension

The U.S. and Iran have tentatively agreed to extend a ceasefire for two months while initiating new negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program, fueling optimism that the ongoing three-month conflict may soon end, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing a source familiar with the discussions.The anonymous source confirmed a prior Axios report, though President Donald Trump has not yet signed off on the terms, the newswire said.While both sides have previously celebrated progress and Trump has often claimed a deal was imminent, the impasse has repeatedly persisted, the publication said.Vice President JD Vance told reporters that the two nations are exchanging proposals on specific language regarding Iran's nuclear capabilities, and noted that Iran appears to be engaging in good faith, with tangible progress underway, 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.)

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

Higher Crude, Persian Gulf Outlooks Lowers Asian Stock Markets

Asian stock markets largely fell back on Thursday, as crude prices again rose on a dimming outlook for a resolution to Persian Gulf hostilities and a consequent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.Hong Kong and Tokyo finished in the red, while Shanghai inched into the green. Other regional exchanges closed lower.Brent crude futures rose to $94.03 a barrel, up 1.9%, during Asian trading hours.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened evenly, wobbled and finished off 0.5% as traders weighed rich equity valuations and fresh uncertainties regarding Middle East peace talks.The benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 306.29 to 64,693.12, as losing issues outnumbered gainers 132 to 90.Leading the upside was tech-components maker Taiyo Yuden, up 17%, while advanced materials manufacturer Furukawa Electric declined 7.3%.In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened lower and could not recover, closing off 1.3% on reports of new US military strikes on Iranian targets.The broad gauge Hang Seng fell 322.07 to 25,006.16, as losing issues outnumbered gainers 75 to 15. The Hang Seng TECH Index lost 0.4% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index fell 1.5%.Leading the upside was toymaker Pop Mart International, gaining 4.7%, while Hansoh Pharmaceutical declined 7.1%.On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.1% to 4,098.64.On the other regional exchanges, the S. Korean KOSPI fell 0.5%; the Taiwan TWSE declined 1.4%; the Australian ASX 200 declined 1.4%; the Singapore Straits Times Index fell 0.8%, and the Thai Set declined 0.1%. Exchanges were closed in Mumbai.The MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index fell 0.8% on the day.

Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite
Asia

Market Chatter: Shiruko Sand Snacks Parent Plans Overseas Expansion, Eyes Flagship Store in Singapore

Matsunaga Seika is eyeing an expansion in Japan and overseas, Nikkei Asia reported on Thursday.The maker of Shiruko Sand confectionery targets sales of 10 billion yen in 2032, 2 billion yen of which is expected to come from overseas, the report said.The Japanese company also aims to make Singapore the hub for its push in Southeast Asia, with plans to open a directly operated store in the city-state by around 2028, the news site 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

Market Chatter: Japan Eyes Bridging Bonds to Anchor Investment Efforts

Japan could channel so-called bridging bonds in supporting Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's investment measures, Bloomberg News reported Thursday, citing Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara.The government will expand on past budget measures that relied on bridging bond issuances, such as those supporting corporate efforts in green technology adoption, the report cited Kihara as saying.Issuers use bridging bonds to cover temporary funding needs, provided that future funding channels can be obtained, the report said.The plan comes as investors express concerns about a rise in bond issuance amid the current administration's pro-spending fiscal stance, with the 10-year government bond yield briefly hitting a new peak since 1996 earlier in May, the report said.While the bridging plan proposal looks to ease worries on large issuances of deficit financing bonds, repayment plan concerns could still put pressure on bonds, the report said.Investors could consider such issuances that grow spending before obtaining steady funding sources as a negative mark against fiscal discipline, the report cited Keisuke Tsuruta, a senior fixed-income strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities, as saying.The government assured that it would further push for a controlled approach to fiscal policy by balancing fiscal sustainability through a lower debt-to-GDP ratio with market confidence, the report cited Kihara 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: Japan to Help Philippines Expand Oil Reserves Amid Iran War Risks

Japan will help the Philippines strengthen its oil reserves amid energy supply disruptions caused by the Iran war, Nikkei Asia reported Thursday.Under the plan, experts from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, international organizations, and private firms including Chiyoda will work with Philippine energy officials to develop a framework for expanding the country's oil reserves by the end of 2026, according to the report.Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are expected to reach an agreement during their summit in Tokyo on Thursday, 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 225^PSEI
Asia

Japanese Shares Close Lower After Choppy Session, as Fresh Attacks on Iran Spook Investors

After the choppy trading session, Japanese shares extended its opening losses to close in the red on Thursday as the news of a fresh US military strike on Iran and Kuwaiti reports of missile attacks hit investor sentiment.The Nikkei 225 closed down 306.29 points, or 0.5%, at 64,693.12.News reports quoting US officials said the Central Command forces shot down four Iranian drones that were seen as a threat near the Strait of Hormuz. The US military is also reported to have hit an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas.Investors are also cautious of the US inflation data that may weigh heavy on bonds and interest rates.On the domestic front, Japan's major exports to the Middle East plunged in April amid the ongoing war in the region, according to trade statistics released by country's finance ministry on Thursday.Major exports from the country, including cars and steel pipes, to the Middle East region, fell by 55.8% in value year on year to 138.695 trillion yen in April, affected by the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.On the corporate side, six Toyota Motor (TYO:7203)-affiliated auto suppliers, including Denso (TYO:6902), plan to spend a combined 1.16 trillion yen on research and development for the fiscal year ending March 2027, Nikkei Asia reported Thursday, citing company officials.Also, Sojitz (TYO:2768) plans to bid for public sector projects worth over $6 billion in Australia as part of a bold push into new markets, Nikkei reported on Thursday, citing Sojitz executive Takefumi Nishikawa.

Nikkei 225TYO:6902TYO:7203
International

Japan's Exports to Middle East Nosedive in April Amid War; Motor Vehicle Exports Plunge

Japan's major exports to the Middle East plunged in April amid the ongoing war in the region, according to trade statistics released by country's finance ministry on Thursday.Major exports from the country, including cars and steel pipes, to the Middle East region, fell by 55.8% in value year on year to 138.695 trillion yen in April, affected by the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.The export of motor vehicles fell sharply by 90.8%, including a 90.4% decline in cars and 92.2% slip in the export of trucks and buses to the war-effected region.According to a Nikkei Asia report, Japan's overseas shipments of new passenger cars to the Middle East account for 13% of total exports by value, and 27% of total truck exports and 22% of buses.Imports to the Middle East region also fell 56.8% to 469.224 trillion yen in April.Japan's overall exports by value rose 14.8% from a year earlier in April, while ​imports grew 9.8%.

Nikkei 225

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