Market Update
Wall Steet Indexes Advanced and Three Leading Banks Reported Strong Quarterly Results
Barry Adams
14 Apr, 2026
New York City
Investors in New York and the rest of the world overlooked rising tensions in the Middle East, and crude oil prices edged lower.
The S&P 500 Index inched higher 0.3%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.5% despite the breakdown in talks between the U.S. and Iran.
The U.S. and Iran traded accusations, and Israel continued its bombing campaign in southern Lebanon and confiscated territory in Syria.
The West Texas Intermediate crude oil price decreased 2.2% to $96.81 a barrel, and the international benchmark Brent crude oil price declined 1% to $98.44 a barrel.
U.S. Movers
JPMorgan Chase decreased 0.3% to $313.51 after the financial service provider reported better-than-expected first-quarter results, but the company's net interest margin guidance fell short of market expectations.
Wells Fargo & Company declined 2.2% to $84.71, and the financial services company reported weaker than expected first-quarter revenue of $21.5 billion and earnings per share of $1.60.
Citigroup Inc. rose 1.2% to $127.80, and the global banking and financial services provider reported first-quarter revenue of $24.6 billion and earnings per share of $3.06.
Wall Steet Indexes Advanced and Three Leading Banks Reported Strong Quarterly Results
Barry Adams
14 Apr, 2026
New York City
Investors in New York and the rest of the world overlooked rising tensions in the Middle East, and crude oil prices edged lower.
The S&P 500 Index inched higher 0.3%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.5% despite the breakdown in talks between the U.S. and Iran.
The U.S. and Iran traded accusations, and Israel continued its bombing campaign in southern Lebanon and confiscated territory in Syria.
The West Texas Intermediate crude oil price decreased 2.2% to $96.81 a barrel, and the international benchmark Brent crude oil price declined 1% to $98.44 a barrel.
U.S. Movers
JPMorgan Chase decreased 0.3% to $313.51 after the financial service provider reported better-than-expected first-quarter results, but the company's net interest margin guidance fell short of market expectations.
Wells Fargo & Company declined 2.2% to $84.71, and the financial services company reported weaker than expected first-quarter revenue of $21.5 billion and earnings per share of $1.60.
Citigroup Inc. rose 1.2% to $127.80, and the global banking and financial services provider reported first-quarter revenue of $24.6 billion and earnings per share of $3.06.
China's Import Soared and Export Growth Slowed In March
Li Chen
14 Apr, 2026
Hong Kong
Stocks in China and Hong Kong rebounded amid hopes that US-Iran talks are likely to resume.
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.3%, and the CSI 300 Index gained 0.6%, and Brent crude oil prices decreased 1% to $98.37 a barrel.
Market sentiment in China and Asia recovered amid rising expectations that the U.S. and Iran are likely to resume their second round of talks as early as this weekend.
Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, signaled willingness for additional peace talks if they complied with international law.
Investors in Japan and South Korea bid up indexes between 2% and 3.5% as the U.S. prepared to block ocean traffic through the Strait of Hormuz linked with ports in Iran.
China's Export Growth Slowed in March
China's export growth slowed sharply in March compared to the January-February period, according to the latest data available from China's General Administration of Customs.
Exports increased 2.5% from a year ago to $321.0 billion, and imports soared 27.8% to $269.9 billion, resulting in a 50% decline to $51.1 billion from $101.9 billion a year ago.
The sharp rise in prices of industrial metals and energy products drove the overall import costs higher.
Fertilizer imports jumped 59%, driven by a 27% rise in volume, while integrated circuit imports advanced 54% in value compared to a 14% rise in volume.
Shipments increased to Japan by 3.3%, to South Korea by 19.6%, to Taiwan by 35.2%, to Australia by 11.9%, to the ASEAN region by 6.9%, and to the European Union by 8.6%, but declined to the U.S. by 26.5%.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.3% to 25,737.16, and the CSI 300 Index advanced 0.6% to 4,673.66.
China's Import Soared and Export Growth Slowed In March
Li Chen
14 Apr, 2026
Hong Kong
Stocks in China and Hong Kong rebounded amid hopes that US-Iran talks are likely to resume.
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.3%, and the CSI 300 Index gained 0.6%, and Brent crude oil prices decreased 1% to $98.37 a barrel.
Market sentiment in China and Asia recovered amid rising expectations that the U.S. and Iran are likely to resume their second round of talks as early as this weekend.
Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, signaled willingness for additional peace talks if they complied with international law.
Investors in Japan and South Korea bid up indexes between 2% and 3.5% as the U.S. prepared to block ocean traffic through the Strait of Hormuz linked with ports in Iran.
China's Export Growth Slowed in March
China's export growth slowed sharply in March compared to the January-February period, according to the latest data available from China's General Administration of Customs.
Exports increased 2.5% from a year ago to $321.0 billion, and imports soared 27.8% to $269.9 billion, resulting in a 50% decline to $51.1 billion from $101.9 billion a year ago.
The sharp rise in prices of industrial metals and energy products drove the overall import costs higher.
Fertilizer imports jumped 59%, driven by a 27% rise in volume, while integrated circuit imports advanced 54% in value compared to a 14% rise in volume.
Shipments increased to Japan by 3.3%, to South Korea by 19.6%, to Taiwan by 35.2%, to Australia by 11.9%, to the ASEAN region by 6.9%, and to the European Union by 8.6%, but declined to the U.S. by 26.5%.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.3% to 25,737.16, and the CSI 300 Index advanced 0.6% to 4,673.66.
China Markets TUESDAY
Li Chen
14 Apr, 2026
Hong Kong
Stocks in China and Hong Kong rebounded amid hopes that US-Iran talks are likely to resume.
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.3%, and the CSI 300 Index gained 0.6%, and Brent crude oil prices decreased 1% to $98.37 a barrel.
Market sentiment in China and Asia recovered amid rising expectations that the U.S. and Iran are likely to resume their second round of talks as early as this weekend.
Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, signaled willingness for additional peace talks if they complied with international law.
Investors in Japan and South Korea bid up indexes between 2% and 3.5% as the U.S. prepared to block ocean traffic through the Strait of Hormuz linked with ports in Iran.
China's Export Growth Slowed in March
China's export growth slowed sharply in March compared to the January-February period, according to the latest data available from China's General Administration of Customs.
Exports increased 2.5% from a year ago to $321.0 billion, and imports soared 27.8% to $269.9 billion, resulting in a 50% decline to $51.1 billion from $101.9 billion a year ago.
The sharp rise in prices of industrial metals and energy products drove the overall import costs higher.
Fertilizer imports jumped 59%, driven by a 27% rise in volume, while integrated circuit imports advanced 54% in value compared to a 14% rise in volume.
Shipments increased to Japan by 3.3%, to South Korea by 19.6%, to Taiwan by 35.2%, to Australia by 11.9%, to the ASEAN region by 6.9%, and to the European Union by 8.6%, but declined to the U.S. by 26.5%.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.3% to 25,737.16, and the CSI 300 Index advanced 0.6% to 4,673.66.
Japan's Producer Price Inflation Accelerated In March, Fast Retailing Soared to a New High
Akira Ito
10 Apr, 2026
Tokyo
Japan's indexes soared on Friday and extended weekly gains amid optimism over a cease-fire between the U.S. and Iran.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased nearly 2%, the broader Topix was nearly unchanged, and the yen edged up to 159.26 against the U.S. dollar.
For the week, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 7%, and the Topix gained 2.5%.
Investors looked ahead to diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Iran in Islamabad, and tensions rose after Israel continued its bombing strikes in southern Lebanon.
On the economic front, Japan's producer price inflation quickened in March, driven by the rise in imported energy prices.
The Producer Price Index rose 2.6% from a year ago in March, accelerating from the marginally revised 2.1% rise in the previous month, according to data released by the Bank of Japan.
The measure of wholesale inflation rose at the fastest pace since November amid elevated cost pressures, confirming early signs of the impact of the Iran war.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 1.8% to 56,898.57, and the broader Topix decreased 0.1% to 3,739.44.
Fast Retailing soared 12% to ¥75,540.00 after the parent company of Uniqlo lifted its outlook for its annual operating profit, driven by strong momentum outside its core markets in Japan and China.
Fast Retailing lifted its operating income to 700 billion yen, or $4.4 billion, for the fiscal year ending in August, up from a prior forecast of 650 billion yen.
The retailer confirmed that it expects no impact on its production and logistics in its fiscal 2026 from the war in the Middle East.
Japan's Producer Price Inflation Accelerated In March, Fast Retailing Soared to a New High
Akira Ito
10 Apr, 2026
Tokyo
Japan's indexes soared on Friday and extended weekly gains amid optimism over a cease-fire between the U.S. and Iran.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased nearly 2%, the broader Topix was nearly unchanged, and the yen edged up to 159.26 against the U.S. dollar.
For the week, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 7%, and the Topix gained 2.5%.
Investors looked ahead to diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Iran in Islamabad, and tensions rose after Israel continued its bombing strikes in southern Lebanon.
On the economic front, Japan's producer price inflation quickened in March, driven by the rise in imported energy prices.
The Producer Price Index rose 2.6% from a year ago in March, accelerating from the marginally revised 2.1% rise in the previous month, according to data released by the Bank of Japan.
The measure of wholesale inflation rose at the fastest pace since November amid elevated cost pressures, confirming early signs of the impact of the Iran war.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 1.8% to 56,898.57, and the broader Topix decreased 0.1% to 3,739.44.
Fast Retailing soared 12% to ¥75,540.00 after the parent company of Uniqlo lifted its outlook for its annual operating profit, driven by strong momentum outside its core markets in Japan and China.
Fast Retailing lifted its operating income to 700 billion yen, or $4.4 billion, for the fiscal year ending in August, up from a prior forecast of 650 billion yen.
The retailer confirmed that it expects no impact on its production and logistics in its fiscal 2026 from the war in the Middle East.
China's Producer Prices Turned Positive In Three Years as Iran War Fans Inflationary Forces
Li Chen
10 Apr, 2026
Hong Kong
Stocks in China rebounded amid improving expectations following the release of inflation reports.
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.6%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index gained more than 1%.
China's consumer price index advanced 1% from a year ago in March, according to a report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The core rate of inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, increased by 1.1% compared to a year ago; food prices rose by 0.3%, consumer goods prices advanced by 1.3%, and service prices edged up by 0.8%.
The persistent weak consumer demand kept inflation in check.
However, producer prices rose at a faster pace in March, and the inflation rate turned positive for the first time in 41 months.
The Producer Price Index advanced 0.5% from a year ago in an early sign that the Persian Gulf War is starting to impact producers around the world.
Factory-gate prices rose for the first time in more than three years as the higher crude oil and natural gas prices began to ripple through the economy.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.6% to 25,910.07, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index advanced 1.2% to 4,620.14.
Alibaba Group, Tencent Entertainment, and Baidu Inc. advanced between 2% and 4%.
BYD, Xpeng, and Geely Automobile are between 1% and 3%.
China's Producer Prices Turned Positive In Three Years as Iran War Fans Inflationary Forces
Li Chen
10 Apr, 2026
Hong Kong
Stocks in China rebounded amid improving expectations following the release of inflation reports.
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.6%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index gained more than 1%.
China's consumer price index advanced 1% from a year ago in March, according to a report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The core rate of inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, increased by 1.1% compared to a year ago; food prices rose by 0.3%, consumer goods prices advanced by 1.3%, and service prices edged up by 0.8%.
The persistent weak consumer demand kept inflation in check.
However, producer prices rose at a faster pace in March, and the inflation rate turned positive for the first time in 41 months.
The Producer Price Index advanced 0.5% from a year ago in an early sign that the Persian Gulf War is starting to impact producers around the world.
Factory-gate prices rose for the first time in more than three years as the higher crude oil and natural gas prices began to ripple through the economy.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.6% to 25,910.07, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index advanced 1.2% to 4,620.14.
Alibaba Group, Tencent Entertainment, and Baidu Inc. advanced between 2% and 4%.
BYD, Xpeng, and Geely Automobile are between 1% and 3%.
U.S. Stocks Headed South and Crude Oil Jumped as Fragile US-Iran Truce Appeared to Crack
Barry Adams
09 Apr, 2026
New York City
Benchmark indexes on Wall Street edged lower amid uncertainty over the recently announced two-week cease-fire between the U.S. and Iran.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.3%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 0.4% after Israel continued bombing civilian targets in Lebanon.
Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the U.S. of violating the ceasefire agreement, citing Israel's drone entering Iran's airspace.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices jumped 5.3% to $99.37 a barrel, and Brent crude prices soared 4% to $98.49 a barrel as investors remained skeptical about the rebound in energy products shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Investor sentiment remained fragile amid worry that hostilities are likely to resume in the Persian Gulf as the U.S. amasses military assets in the region and Israel restocks missiles.
Moreover, Iran is looking for ways to improve its targeting capabilities to energy infrastructure of Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia and extend its missile-target range to 4,000 kilometer.
U.S. Movers
Constellation Brands declined 0.9% to $149.01 after the beer and alcoholic beverage distributor reported fiscal fourth quarter results.
The stock declined after the company's full-year adjusted earnings per share range between $11.20 and $11.90 fell short of market expectations.
Crude oil and energy-related stocks rose following a rebound in oil and gas prices.
Exxon Mobil rose 0.7% to $157.42, Chevron jumped 0.8% to $194.34, and ConocoPhillips advanced 1% to $126.49.
United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines, Alaska Air dropped between 1% and 2%.
U.S. Stocks Headed South and Crude Oil Jumped as Fragile US-Iran Truce Appeared to Crack
Barry Adams
09 Apr, 2026
New York City
Benchmark indexes on Wall Street edged lower amid uncertainty over the recently announced two-week cease-fire between the U.S. and Iran.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.3%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 0.4% after Israel continued bombing civilian targets in Lebanon.
Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the U.S. of violating the ceasefire agreement, citing Israel's drone entering Iran's airspace.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices jumped 5.3% to $99.37 a barrel, and Brent crude prices soared 4% to $98.49 a barrel as investors remained skeptical about the rebound in energy products shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Investor sentiment remained fragile amid worry that hostilities are likely to resume in the Persian Gulf as the U.S. amasses military assets in the region and Israel restocks missiles.
Moreover, Iran is looking for ways to improve its targeting capabilities to energy infrastructure of Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia and extend its missile-target range to 4,000 kilometer.
U.S. Movers
Constellation Brands declined 0.9% to $149.01 after the beer and alcoholic beverage distributor reported fiscal fourth quarter results.
The stock declined after the company's full-year adjusted earnings per share range between $11.20 and $11.90 fell short of market expectations.
Crude oil and energy-related stocks rose following a rebound in oil and gas prices.
Exxon Mobil rose 0.7% to $157.42, Chevron jumped 0.8% to $194.34, and ConocoPhillips advanced 1% to $126.49.
Japan Indexes Turned Lower and Bond Yields Edged Higher Amid Persian Gulf Uncertainty
Akira Ito
09 Apr, 2026
Tokyo
Japan's benchmark indexes trimmed gains from the previous session amid lingering uncertainty over the ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average declined 0.6%, and the broader Topix eased 0.8% after crude oil prices rebounded.
Brent crude oil prices rose 3.4% to $97.98 a barrel amid growing skepticism that the two-week cease-fire between the U.S. and Iran is likely to hold.
Delegations from Iran and the U.S. are set to meet in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Friday, as both sides prepare to find a way to end a five-week conflict.
Iran is likely to retain its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and demand war reparations of over $100 billion, while the U.S. is looking for the end of Iran's nuclear program.
Moreover, Iran is looking for the U.S. to lift sanctions and demand Israel halt confiscating territory in southern Lebanon and Syria.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 0.6% to 55,959.83, and the TOPIX fell 0.8% to 3,746.02.
The yield on five-year Japanese government bonds edged up a fraction to 2.39% following the release of minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting.
A growing number of policy committee members supported the case of a rate hike to curb inflation, though many still held out for a rate cut at the next meeting.
Semiconductor equipment makers and AI-like technology stocks declined, following a surge in the previous session.
SoftBank Group, Tokyo Electron, Advantest Corp., and Lasertec declined between 2% and 4%.
Japan Indexes Turned Lower and Bond Yields Edged Higher Amid Persian Gulf Uncertainty
Akira Ito
09 Apr, 2026
Tokyo
Japan's benchmark indexes trimmed gains from the previous session amid lingering uncertainty over the ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average declined 0.6%, and the broader Topix eased 0.8% after crude oil prices rebounded.
Brent crude oil prices rose 3.4% to $97.98 a barrel amid growing skepticism that the two-week cease-fire between the U.S. and Iran is likely to hold.
Delegations from Iran and the U.S. are set to meet in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Friday, as both sides prepare to find a way to end a five-week conflict.
Iran is likely to retain its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and demand war reparations of over $100 billion, while the U.S. is looking for the end of Iran's nuclear program.
Moreover, Iran is looking for the U.S. to lift sanctions and demand Israel halt confiscating territory in southern Lebanon and Syria.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 0.6% to 55,959.83, and the TOPIX fell 0.8% to 3,746.02.
The yield on five-year Japanese government bonds edged up a fraction to 2.39% following the release of minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting.
A growing number of policy committee members supported the case of a rate hike to curb inflation, though many still held out for a rate cut at the next meeting.
Semiconductor equipment makers and AI-like technology stocks declined, following a surge in the previous session.
SoftBank Group, Tokyo Electron, Advantest Corp., and Lasertec declined between 2% and 4%.
Japan Indexes
Akira Ito
09 Apr, 2026
Tokyo
Japan's benchmark indexes trimmed gains from the previous session amid lingering uncertainty over the ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average declined 0.6%, and the broader Topix eased 0.8% after crude oil prices rebounded.
Brent crude oil prices rose 3.4% to $97.98 a barrel amid growing skepticism that the two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is likely to hold.
Delegations from Iran and the U.S. are set to meet in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Friday, as both sides prepare to find a way to end a five-week conflict.
Iran is likely to retain its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and demand war reparations of over $100 billion, while the U.S. is looking for the end of Iran's nuclear program.
Moreover, Iran is looking for the U.S. to lift sanctions and demand Israel to halt confiscating territory in southern Lebanon and Syria.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 0.6% to 55,959.83, and the Topix fell 0.8% to 3,746.02.
The yield on five-year Japan's government bonds edged up a fraction to 2.39% following the release of minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting.
A growing number of policy committee members supported the case of a rate hike to curb inflation, though many still held out for a rate cut at the next meeting.
Semiconductor equipment makers and AI-liked technology stocks declined, following a surge in the previous session.
Softbank Group, Tokyo Electron, Advantest Corp., and Lasertec declined between 2% and 4%.
US-Iran Ceasefire Skepticism Clouded Market Sentiment In China and Asia
Li Chen
09 Apr, 2026
Hong Kong
Market sentiment in stock and commodity trading remained weak amid uncertainty over the announced two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.
The Hang Seng Index declined by 0.3%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index decreased by 0.6%, erasing some of the gains made in the previous session.
Delegations from Iran and the U.S. are set to meet in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Friday, as both sides prepare to find a way to end a five-week conflict.
Iran is likely to retain its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and demand war reparations of over $100 billion, while the U.S. is looking for the end of Iran's nuclear program.
Brent crude oil prices rose 3% to $97.13 a barrel amid skepticism about the two-week ceasefire, and Iran's speaker of the parliament blamed Israel for the continued attacks in Lebanon and the U.S. for violating Iran's airspace.
Domestically, investors are awaiting the release of inflation data on Friday, and consumer price inflation is likely to show a modest increase, and producer price inflation is expected to be positive for the first time in nearly four years.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.3% to 25,813.49, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index fell 0.6% to 4,566.22.
Alibaba Group, Tencent Holdings, and Baidu Inc. lacked direction and traded around the flatline.
China Vanke, China Overseas Land & Investment, and Sun Hung Kai Properties declined between 2% and 3%.
BYD, Xpeng, and Xiaomi declined around 4%, but Geely Automobile gained 3%.