Japanese shares rose as the yen’s recent weakness aided the country’s exporters, taking the center stage in Asia following a muted session on Wall Street. The MSCI Asia Pacific index climbed for the fifth straight day, its longest such streak since July. Shares in Tokyo advanced after the yen dropped to a five-month low of 158 per dollar in the previous session, following Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda’s comments Wednesday that avoided giving a clear signal on interest rates next month. The Japanese currency rebounded slightly Friday, after Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said the government will take appropriate steps against excessive movements in the foreign exchange market. Data released Friday also showed inflation in Tokyo accelerated for a second month, with retail sales also beating estimates. Japan’s latest economic performance suggests the need for the BOJ to keep considering tightening policy in the coming months. A summary of opinions from the central bank’s December meeting showed mixed views among its board members on the timing of another rate hike partly due to uncertainties over the US economy. Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong and mainland Chinese shares reversed losses. Equities also rose in Australia, with their South Korean counterparts declining as the country’s political turmoil continued. US futures edged lower. The S&P 500 ended Thursday flat, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 fell 0.1% in quiet post-holiday session as mixed jobless claims data did little to alter bets on the Federal Reserve outlook. Major European markets were closed Thursday. Recurring applications for US unemployment benefits rose to the highest in more than three years, adding to signs that it’s taking longer for out-of-work people to find a job. Initial claims, meanwhile, ticked down to 219,000 in the week ended Dec. 21. Treasuries were steady, while an index of the dollar was flat and headed for its best year since 2015. Bitcoin edged higher after the cryptocurrency’s rally showed signs of fizzling Thursday. South Korea’s business confidence deteriorated the most since the global outbreak of Covid-19, reflecting mounting concerns about an economy grappling with political turmoil and facing Donald Trump’s tariff threats. Meanwhile, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. agreed to merge its South Korean operations with E-Mart Inc.’s e-commerce platform to better compete in the country’s fast-paced online retail sector. Data set for release in Asia includes trade figures for Thailand. Also in South Korea, a preliminary court hearing will be held on the impeachment of President Yoon.
In commodities, both gold and oil were little changed. US After Hours GDYN +11.4% to join S&P SmallCap 600
Nikkei +1.80% Hang Seng +0.06% CSI -0.07% Shanghai +0.13% Shenzen +0.34%
Eur$ 1.0410 CNH 7.3030 CNY 7.2986 JPY 157.75 GBP 1.2520 CHF 0.8997 RUB 100.4158 TRY 35.2763 -0.37% WTI$ 69.94 +0.03% Gold 2,633 -0.03% BTC 96,190 +0.51% ETH 3,382 +1.45%
S&P -0.27% Nasdaq -0.35% EuroStoxx +0.25% FTSE -0.07% Dax +0.14% SMI +0.14%
Macro :
- Bitcoin Falls With Record-Breaking Year Beginning to Wind Down
- Gold Advances in Thin Trade as Investors Mull Fed Rate Outlook
- Egypt Holds Key Rate Even as Inflation Shows Signs of Easing
- China Keeps Anti-Dumping Tax on N-Butanol From US, Taiwan
Keep an eye on :
Keep an eye on :
- AALB NA : Aalberts to Buy 100% of Shares of Paulo Products Co; No Terms
- ANTO LN : Chilean Mine Los Pelambres to Extend Operation Through 2051
- ANTO LN : Chilean Mine Los Pelambres to Extend Operation Through 2051
- ARGX BB : Argenx’ Vyvdura Gets Japan Approval for CIDP
- 1211 HK : BYD Offers Discounts Of Up To 11.5% On Select EVs As Year End Nears
- MMLP US : Martin Midstream Cancels Merger Agreement With Martin Resource
- META US : Meta envisages social media filled with AI-generated users
- 6594 JP : Nidec Offers $1.6 Billion for Makino in Rare Unsolicited Bid
- SDRL US : Seadrill Sells Jack-up West Prospero
- STMN SW : Q4 preview - Expecting a good finish, but continued weakness in US market
- STMN SW : Q4 preview - Expecting a good finish, but continued weakness in US market
- TSLA US : BYD Offers Discounts Of Up To 11.5% On Select EVs As Year End Nears
- TCELL TI : UBS Gets Administrative Fine in Turkey for Turkcell Transactions