Nikkei Financial News

Investing.com-- Most Asian stocks sank on Thursday as the prospect of higher U.S. interest rates crimped the appeal of risk-driven assets, with focus now turning to more upcoming central bank rate decisions in the region. 

By Xie Yu

Real estate stocks gained 2.2%. Euro zone banks surged 2%, on UniCredit’s 4.7% rally. Canada stocks pared its earlier gains to end down on Wednesday.

Investing.com-- Most Asian stocks fell on Wednesday with markets remaining broadly risk-off before a closely-watched interest rate decision from the Federal Reserve later in the day, while weak economic readings from Japan also weighed.

By Stella Qiu

Asian stocks rose strongly on Friday, extending a global equity rally, after better-than-expected Chinese economic data added to the good vibes from expectations that tightening campaigns by the world's biggest central banks were close to over. The dollar stuck close to a six-month peak from overnight against major peers, buoyed by robust U.S. economic data, while the euro sagged following the European Central Bank's signal that Thursday's rate hike was probably the last this cycle. Crude oil hit a fresh 10-month top. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares rallied 0.84%. Japan's Nikkei jumped 1.33% to a two-month high. Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 1.2%, and mainland Chinese blue chips rose 0.2%, flipping from early small losses. Australia's stock benchmark surged 1.75%. U.S.

Asian stocks rose on Thursday, as traders figured a small upside surprise for U.S. inflation was unlikely to push up interest rates and turned their focus to a European Central Bank meeting later in the session. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.4% in early trade.

Investing.com-- Most Asian stocks were flat on Tuesday as markets remained broadly risk-off ahead of key U.S. inflation data this week, while hawkish signals from the Bank of Japan also saw markets consider an end to negative interest rates in Asia’s second-largest economy. 

By Tom Westbrook

traders waiting on U.S. inflation data to signal that interest rates may have peaked. The yen notched its best day against the dollar in two months overnight, after Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said policymakers might have enough economic information by year's end to determine that short-term rates will need to rise. The yuan had its best day in six months after authorities vowed to correct one-way moves and Reuters reported the central bank had stepped up scrutiny of dollar buying. Both, however, remain near their weakest levels of the year and with the yuan at 7.3022 per dollar in offshore trade and the yen last a little off Monday highs at 146.68 per dollar. Japanese government bonds remained under pressure on Tuesday, with 10-year JGB yields up 1 basis point to a fresh high of 0.71%. «The result of Ueda's comments was an intense move higher in Japanese swaps and government bond yields,» said Chris Weston, head of research at brokerage Pepperstone in Melbourne. "(It) is certainly constructive for yen longs.

The Nikkei fell 0.43% to close at 32,467.76 after rising as much as 0.4% earlier in the session. The index initially tracked Wall Street's gains at the end of last week. In an article in the Yomiuri newspaper published over the weekend, BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda said the central bank could end its negative interest rate policy when achievement of its 2% inflation target was in sight, signalling possible rate hikes. «The impact was directly reflected in today's market, with financial stocks leading the gains, while real estate stocks were beaten down,» said Takehiko Masuzawa, trading head at Phillip Securities Japan. «But the market was not in a broad sell-off.

Shares have slipped in Asia after Japan reported its economy grew less than earlier estimated in the last quarter

tech shares tumbling on deepening Sino-U.S. tensions, while the dollar was set to seal its longest winning streak in nine years as investors braced for U.S. interest rates to stay higher for longer. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.2% in early trade and is down 1.4% for the week.

Indian stock market is expected to open on a cautious note following weak global cues amid a drop in shares of tech companies in the US. The Asian markets traded mixed, while the US stock market indices also ended mixed overnight. On Thursday, the Indian equity indices ended over half a percent higher each, extending the rally for the fifth consecutive session.

Shares are lower in Asia after a decline on Wall Street, where strong economic data revived worries that the Federal Reserve might keep interest rates high for longer than hoped

rising U.S. yields and a slowing Chinese economy sapped momentum from the market's rally. The Nikkei index closed 0.75% lower at 32,991.08, after hitting a high of 33,322.45 in morning trade.

Xi Jinping has decided not to attend the G20 summit scheduled to take place in New Delhi this week. This decision marks a departure from his consistent attendance at previous G20 meetings, raising questions about its underlying reasons. According to reports from Nikkei Asia, the root cause of this unexpected move can be traced back to the recent Beidaihe meeting in China, an annual gathering of incumbent and retired leaders of the Chinese Communist Party.

Indian stock market is expected to open lower on Tuesday following weakness in Asian markets ahead of key economic data releases in the region. The US markets were shut for a holiday. The Reserve Bank of Australia will announce its interest rate decision, while the purchasing managers index readings from China, India and Hong Kong will also be released today.

By Jamie McGeever

China stepped up efforts to support its housing sector and stabilise the yuan, though investors remained cautious ahead of U.S. jobs data that could make or break the case for further rate hikes. U.S.

Asian stock markets are mostly lower after Japanese factory activity and Chinese service industry growth weakened