ticker

Japanese Yen Rebounded 3% After a Joint intervention

Li Chen
01 May, 2026
Tokyo

Stocks in Japan advanced on Friday, and investors assessed interest rate outlook amid ongoing tensions in the Persian Gulf.

The Nikki 225 Stock Average increased 0.5%, the broad Topix edged up 0.1%, and the yen soared as much as 3% following an intervention by authorities.

The yen settled higher by 2% to 157.25 against the U.S. dollar following a joint intervention by the Bank of Japan and the Ministry of Finance.

Crude oil and energy product shipments through the Persian Gulf remained disrupted amid ongoing dual blockade by the U.S. and Iran.

Brent crude oil prices jumped 1.5% to $115.02 a barrel after the US president reaffirmed the US would maintain its naval blockade of Iranian ports, while Tehran reiterated it would not relinquish its nuclear capabilities and signaled continued control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Japan Indexes

The Nikki 225 Stock Average increased 0.5% to 59,580.51, and the broader Topix gained 0.1% to 3,732.07.

SoftBank Group jumped 4% to ¥5,424.0, Advantest Corp. decreased 1.6% to ¥27,815.0, and Tokyo Electron Ltd. advanced 6.9% to ¥47,450.0.

Japanese Yen Rebounded 3% After a Joint intervention

Li Chen
01 May, 2026
Tokyo

Stocks in Japan advanced on Friday, and investors assessed interest rate outlook amid ongoing tensions in the Persian Gulf.

The Nikki 225 Stock Average increased 0.5%, the broad Topix edged up 0.1%, and the yen soared as much as 3% following an intervention by authorities.

The yen settled higher by 2% to 157.25 against the U.S. dollar following a joint intervention by the Bank of Japan and the Ministry of Finance.

Crude oil and energy product shipments through the Persian Gulf remained disrupted amid ongoing dual blockade by the U.S. and Iran.

Brent crude oil prices jumped 1.5% to $115.02 a barrel after the US president reaffirmed the US would maintain its naval blockade of Iranian ports, while Tehran reiterated it would not relinquish its nuclear capabilities and signaled continued control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Japan Indexes

The Nikki 225 Stock Average increased 0.5% to 59,580.51, and the broader Topix gained 0.1% to 3,732.07.

SoftBank Group jumped 4% to ¥5,424.0, Advantest Corp. decreased 1.6% to ¥27,815.0, and Tokyo Electron Ltd. advanced 6.9% to ¥47,450.0.

Tech Leaders Confirm AI Investment Plans After Strong Quarterly Results

Barry Adams
30 Apr, 2026
New York City

Benchmark indexes rested near the flat line as investors reviewed the latest batch of earnings.

The S&P 500 Index edged down 0.2%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.3% after leading tech companies reported quarterly results.

Alphabet Inc., Meta Platforms, Amazon, and Microsoft reported sharp advances in revenue and earnings in the first quarter.

Crude oil prices traded at four-year highs of $106 a barrel amid reports that the U.S. is preparing for an extended blockage of Iranian ports until a nuclear agreement is reached.

The The Federal Reserve left fed funds rates in the range of 3.5% and 3.75% unrevised, lowering 2026 economic growth to 2.0% from the previous estimate of 2.2%, and the PCE Price Index is accelerating to 2.7%.

Fed Chairman Powell cited elevated inflation and increased global energy prices as key reasons for the weakening broader economic outlook.

U.S. Movers

Amazon.com Inc. gained 2.6% to $269.88 after the e-commerce company reported better-than-expected quarterly results.

Microsoft decreased 1.8% to $416.90 after the software developer reported fiscal third-quarter results.

Revenue from Azure and other cloud services soared 40% from a year ago.

Meta Platforms declined 9% to $610.90 after the company's capital spending estimate of $19.84 billion fell short of market expectations.

Alphabet Inc. jumped 7.3% to $372.66 after the revenue of the search engine reached $107.2 billion.

Tech Leaders Confirm AI Investment Plans After Strong Quarterly Results

Barry Adams
30 Apr, 2026
New York City

Benchmark indexes rested near the flat line as investors reviewed the latest batch of earnings.

The S&P 500 Index edged down 0.2%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.3% after leading tech companies reported quarterly results.

Alphabet Inc., Meta Platforms, Amazon, and Microsoft reported sharp advances in revenue and earnings in the first quarter.

Crude oil prices traded at four-year highs of $106 a barrel amid reports that the U.S. is preparing for an extended blockage of Iranian ports until a nuclear agreement is reached.

The The Federal Reserve left fed funds rates in the range of 3.5% and 3.75% unrevised, lowering 2026 economic growth to 2.0% from the previous estimate of 2.2%, and the PCE Price Index is accelerating to 2.7%.

Fed Chairman Powell cited elevated inflation and increased global energy prices as key reasons for the weakening broader economic outlook.

U.S. Movers

Amazon.com Inc. gained 2.6% to $269.88 after the e-commerce company reported better-than-expected quarterly results.

Microsoft decreased 1.8% to $416.90 after the software developer reported fiscal third-quarter results.

Revenue from Azure and other cloud services soared 40% from a year ago.

Meta Platforms declined 9% to $610.90 after the company's capital spending estimate of $19.84 billion fell short of market expectations.

Alphabet Inc. jumped 7.3% to $372.66 after the revenue of the search engine reached $107.2 billion.

AI-Driven Tech Stocks Lead Gainers On Wall Street

Barry Adams
29 Apr, 2026
New York City

Stocks in New York traded sideways as investors reviewed another batch of earnings.

The S&P 500 Index and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite stayed close to the flatline, and investors awaited the release of quarterly results from leading tech companies.

The Federal Reserve is widely expected to hold the Fed funds rate unrevised between 3.5% and 3.75% for the third consecutive meeting in April, as policymakers assess the impact of ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

With oil prices continuing to rise, reigniting inflationary forces, the outlook for the economy remains uncertain, despite the labor market and broader economic indicators remaining resilient.

U.S. Movers

Starbucks rose 5% to $102.0 after the coffee chain operator's quarterly results surpassed market expectations and the company raised its outlook.

Seagate Technology PLC soared 17% to $682.01 after the digital storage company reported strong third-quarter results and the company raised its outlook for the quarter.

NXP Semiconductors soared 18% to $272.00 after the company provided a strong second-quarter outlook.

Yum Brands Inc. increased 0.6% to $157.26 after the fast food company reported strong quarterly results, driven by an 8% rise in same-store sales at Taco Bell.

AI-Driven Tech Stocks Lead Gainers On Wall Street

Barry Adams
29 Apr, 2026
New York City

Stocks in New York traded sideways as investors reviewed another batch of earnings.

The S&P 500 Index and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite stayed close to the flatline, and investors awaited the release of quarterly results from leading tech companies.

The Federal Reserve is widely expected to hold the Fed funds rate unrevised between 3.5% and 3.75% for the third consecutive meeting in April, as policymakers assess the impact of ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

With oil prices continuing to rise, reigniting inflationary forces, the outlook for the economy remains uncertain, despite the labor market and broader economic indicators remaining resilient.

U.S. Movers

Starbucks rose 5% to $102.0 after the coffee chain operator's quarterly results surpassed market expectations and the company raised its outlook.

Seagate Technology PLC soared 17% to $682.01 after the digital storage company reported strong third-quarter results and the company raised its outlook for the quarter.

NXP Semiconductors soared 18% to $272.00 after the company provided a strong second-quarter outlook.

Yum Brands Inc. increased 0.6% to $157.26 after the fast food company reported strong quarterly results, driven by an 8% rise in same-store sales at Taco Bell.

China Stocks Lacked Direction Amid Global Stagflation Worries

Li Chen
29 Apr, 2026
Hong Kong

Stocks in China and Hong Kong diverged amid an uncertain geopolitical outlook and lingering tensions in the Persian Gulf.

The Hang Seng Index advanced 1.2%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index fell 0.6%, as investors reviewed the latest batch of corporate results.

Brent crude oil prices fell 0.1% to $111.20 a barrel as U.S. and Iran peace talks stalled and the possibility of a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz increased.

Tensions between the U.S. and China rose ahead of the planned summit between the leaders of two nations after Beijing regulators prevented Meta Platforms from acquiring AI startup Maus, asserting their control on key technologies.

China Indexes and Stocks

The Hang Seng Index increased 1.2% to 25,995.58, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index fell 0.6% to 4,788.53.

Foxconn decreased more than 3% even as the company reported a triple-digit growth in AI-driven revenue and earnings, driven by a strong demand for cloud computing and data centers.

China Stocks Lacked Direction Amid Global Stagflation Worries

Li Chen
29 Apr, 2026
Hong Kong

Stocks in China and Hong Kong diverged amid an uncertain geopolitical outlook and lingering tensions in the Persian Gulf.

The Hang Seng Index advanced 1.2%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index fell 0.6%, as investors reviewed the latest batch of corporate results.

Brent crude oil prices fell 0.1% to $111.20 a barrel as U.S. and Iran peace talks stalled and the possibility of a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz increased.

Tensions between the U.S. and China rose ahead of the planned summit between the leaders of two nations after Beijing regulators prevented Meta Platforms from acquiring AI startup Maus, asserting their control on key technologies.

China Indexes and Stocks

The Hang Seng Index increased 1.2% to 25,995.58, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index fell 0.6% to 4,788.53.

Foxconn decreased more than 3% even as the company reported a triple-digit growth in AI-driven revenue and earnings, driven by a strong demand for cloud computing and data centers.

U.S. Investors Reacted to Latest Earnings Reports, Tech Stocks In Focus

Barry Adams
28 Apr, 2026
New York City

Benchmark indexes in New York hovered near new record highs set in the previous session, and investors overlooked lingering tensions in the Persian Gulf.

The S&P 500 Index decreased 0.2%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.6% as investors reviewed the latest batch of earnings.

General Motors, UPS, Coca-Cola Company, British Petroleum, Airbus, Novartis, and Barclays reported their quarterly results.

After the close of the regular trading session, Visa, Starbucks, T-Mobile, NXP Semiconductors, Booking Holdings, Waste Management, and CoStar are scheduled to release their quarterly updates.

Crude oil prices in New York advanced 3.5% to $99.85 a barrel, and the UAE announced its decision to exit OPEC on May 1.

U.S. Movers

General Motors increased 1% to $78.27 after the company reported better-than-expected quarterly results, and the automaker raised its 2026 outlook.

Coca-Cola Company jumped 3.7% to $78.26 after the beverage maker's first-quarter revenue and earnings surpassed market expectations.

Coca-Cola reported adjusted earnings per share of 86 cents on revenue of $12.5 billion.

UPS decreased 5.5% to $102.56 after the company's latest quarterly revenue and earnings fell short of analysts' expectations.

The parcel delivery company reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.07 on revenue of $21.2 billion.

U.S. Investors Reacted to Latest Earnings Reports, Tech Stocks In Focus

Barry Adams
28 Apr, 2026
New York City

Benchmark indexes in New York hovered near new record highs set in the previous session, and investors overlooked lingering tensions in the Persian Gulf.

The S&P 500 Index decreased 0.2%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.6% as investors reviewed the latest batch of earnings.

General Motors, UPS, Coca-Cola Company, British Petroleum, Airbus, Novartis, and Barclays reported their quarterly results.

After the close of the regular trading session, Visa, Starbucks, T-Mobile, NXP Semiconductors, Booking Holdings, Waste Management, and CoStar are scheduled to release their quarterly updates.

Crude oil prices in New York advanced 3.5% to $99.85 a barrel, and the UAE announced its decision to exit OPEC on May 1.

U.S. Movers

General Motors increased 1% to $78.27 after the company reported better-than-expected quarterly results, and the automaker raised its 2026 outlook.

Coca-Cola Company jumped 3.7% to $78.26 after the beverage maker's first-quarter revenue and earnings surpassed market expectations.

Coca-Cola reported adjusted earnings per share of 86 cents on revenue of $12.5 billion.

UPS decreased 5.5% to $102.56 after the company's latest quarterly revenue and earnings fell short of analysts' expectations.

The parcel delivery company reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.07 on revenue of $21.2 billion.

U.S. Investors Reacted to Latest Earnings Reports, Tech Stocks In F

Barry Adams
28 Apr, 2026
New York City

Benchmark indexes in New York hovered near new record highs set in the previous session, and investors overlooked lingering tensions in the Persian Gulf.

The S&P 500 Index decreased 0.2%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.6% as investors reviewed the latest batch of earnings.

General Motors, UPS, Coca-Cola Company, British Petroleum, Airbus, Novartis, and Barclays reported their quarterly results.

After the close of the regular trading session, Visa, Starbucks, T-Mobile, NXP Semiconductors, Booking Holdings, Waste Management, and CoStar are scheduled to release their quarterly updates.

Crude oil prices in New York advanced 3.5% to $99.85 a barrel, and the UAE, the third largest oil producer in the OPEC, announced its decision to exit the organization on May 1.

U.S. Movers

General Motors increased 1% to $78.27 after the company reported better-than-expected quarterly results, and the automaker raised its 2026 outlook.

Coca-Cola Company jumped 3.7% to $78.26 after the beverage maker's first-quarter revenue and earnings surpassed market expectations.

Coca-Cola reported adjusted earnings per share of 86 cents on revenue of $12.5 billion.

UPS decreased 5.5% to $102.56 after the company's latest quarterly revenue and earnings fell short of analysts' expectations.

The parcel delivery company reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.07 on revenue of $21.2 billion.

New YORK - T

Barry Adams
28 Apr, 2026
New York City

Bank of Japan Held Rates Steady, Jobless Rate Edged Higher In March

Akira Ito
28 Apr, 2026
Tokyo

Japan's indexes declined from record highs, and investors reviewed rate decisions and the latest economic updates.

As investors modified their expectations for inflation and economic growth, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell more than 1%, while the overall Topix increased by 0.7%.

The Bank of Japan left its short-term rates unrevised at 0.75% for a fourth consecutive meeting in a row, meeting the market expectations.

The rate-setting committee revised lower its economic growth expectations to 0.5% from 1.0%, reflecting softer domestic economic momentum, and its core inflation outlook to 2.8% from 1.9%, citing higher energy prices.

The government measures, resilient corporate profits, and accommodative financial conditions are likely to provide support for modest economic growth in the current financial year.

The central bank also boosted its financial year 2025 economic growth estimate to 1.0% from 0.9%, backed by last year's trade deal with the U.S.

Japan's jobless rate edged higher in March as geopolitical uncertainty and weakening consumer sentiment weighed on the broader market.

The jobless rate increased to 2.7% from 2.6% in February, and the number of unemployed increased by 10,000 to 1.86 million, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Meanwhile, total employment declined by 120,000 to 68.2 million, and the total labor force shrank by 100,000 to a seven-month low of 70.0 million.

The jobs-to-applicants ratio eased to 1.18 from 1.19 in February as demand for skilled professionals in advanced technology, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical sectors remained high.

Japan Indexes and Stocks

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average dropped 1.2% to 59,790.97, and the broader Topix advanced 0.7% to 3,760.51.

Advantest Corp. decreased 5.3% to ¥29,815.0 after the company's outlook missed market expectations.

Revenue in the financial year ending in March rose 44.7% to 1.1 trillion yen, net income advanced 133% to 375.4 billion yen, and diluted earnings per share jumped to 513.6 yen from 218.01 yen a year ago.

The company increased its total annual dividend to 59 yen from 39 yen, but the dividend payout ratio fell to 11.5% from 17.8% a year ago, respectively.

The advanced semiconductor equipment maker estimated fiscal 2026 sales to increase at a slower growth rate of 26% to 1.42 trillion yen, net income to rise 24% to 465.5 billion yen, and basic earnings per share to advance to 641.6 yen per share.