Market Update
Japan TUESDAY
Akira Ito
03 Mar, 2026
Tokyo
Japan's benchmark indexes plunged amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and intensifying worries of global inflation.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average plunged 3%, the broader Topix declined 2.8%, and the yen weakened to 157.31 against the U.S. dollar.
The long running war between the U.S. and Iran entered a new chapter this weekend, as the joint U.S.-Israel bombings targeted more than 1,200 locations and killed top military and political leaders.
Brent crude oil prices rose 2.8% to $79.78 a barrel, and extended a two-day surge by 14% after Iran effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz.
About 20% of global oil and gas transits through the narrow passage which is con
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average dropped 3% to 56,331.31, and the broader Topix Index decreased 2.8% to 3,789.16.
China Markets Lacked Direction US-Iran War Engulfs Eleven Nations
Li Chen
03 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong
Stock markets in China, Hong Kong, and Asia extended losses for the second consecutive session amid worries of a prolonged and wider conflict in the Middle East.
The Hang Seng Index inched lower 0.1%, the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index declined 0.3%, and the benchmark indexes in Tokyo and Seoul fell between 1% and 2%.
Global market sentiment was weak as Iran's military vowed to not buckle under pressure and intensified its attack on military bases in the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
At least eleven countries are involved in the Middle East war after the U.S. and Israel conducted joint strikes on Iran.
The price of Brent crude oil advanced nearly 2% and hovered above $79 a barrel, and gold edged up 1% to $5,362 an ounce.
Despite two down days in Asia-wide trading this week, stock prices have been resilient, and global markets have looked beyond the latest conflict in the Middle East and an unprovoked attack on Iran.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index inched lower 0.1% to 26,050.43, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index decreased 0.3% to 4,718.0.
Shipping companies advanced for the second day in a row as the conflict in the Middle East widened to include eleven nations.
COSCO Shipping Holdings advanced 4.1% to HK $16.12; China Merchants Port Holdings decreased 0.1% to HK $17.22; and Orient Overseas International inched up 0.03% to HK $157.60.
Zijin Mining Group declined 4.4% to HK $44.06, Zijin Gold International dropped 5.6% to HK $230.40, and Laopu Gold fell 6% to HK $684.50.
China Markets Lacked Direction US-Iran War Engulfs Eleven Nations
Li Chen
03 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong
Stock markets in China, Hong Kong, and Asia extended losses for the second consecutive session amid worries of a prolonged and wider conflict in the Middle East.
The Hang Seng Index inched lower 0.1%, the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index declined 0.3%, and the benchmark indexes in Tokyo and Seoul fell between 1% and 2%.
Global market sentiment was weak as Iran's military vowed to not buckle under pressure and intensified its attack on military bases in the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
At least eleven countries are involved in the Middle East war after the U.S. and Israel conducted joint strikes on Iran.
The price of Brent crude oil advanced nearly 2% and hovered above $79 a barrel, and gold edged up 1% to $5,362 an ounce.
Despite two down days in Asia-wide trading this week, stock prices have been resilient, and global markets have looked beyond the latest conflict in the Middle East and an unprovoked attack on Iran.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index inched lower 0.1% to 26,050.43, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index decreased 0.3% to 4,718.0.
Shipping companies advanced for the second day in a row as the conflict in the Middle East widened to include eleven nations.
COSCO Shipping Holdings advanced 4.1% to HK $16.12; China Merchants Port Holdings decreased 0.1% to HK $17.22; and Orient Overseas International inched up 0.03% to HK $157.60.
Zijin Mining Group declined 4.4% to HK $44.06, Zijin Gold International dropped 5.6% to HK $230.40, and Laopu Gold fell 6% to HK $684.50.
Global Markets Rattled and Energy Prices Soared After U.S. Attacked Iran
Barry Adams
02 Mar, 2026
New York City
Stock market indexes around the world declined, crude oil surged, and gold jumped as the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran over the weekend.
The unprovoked strikes rattled global sentiment, and crude oil prices jumped as much as 7% and natural gas prices soared more than 20% in Europe amid rising fears of supply disruptions.
Benchmark indexes in Japan, India, and Hong Kong dropped between 1% and 2%, and in Europe, they fell more than 1% as investors avoided riskier assets.
The killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the weekend raised stakes too high in the region, and Iran stepped up its attacks on the U.S. military bases in the UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
The fears of prolonged conflict in the Middle East engulfing a wider list of nations kept stock markets on edge and drove oil and gas prices higher around the world.
U.S. Movers
A sustained closure of the Strait of Hormuz could ripple through global oil markets and stoke inflationary forces worldwide.
Exxon Mobil gained 3.8% to $158.11, Chevron Corp. advanced 3.5% to $193.40, BP PLC increased 0.4% to $39.03, and TotalEnergies SE edged up 0.9% to $81.06, and ConocoPhillips jumped 2.4% to $119.40.
Global Markets Rattled and Energy Prices Soared After U.S. Attacked Iran
Barry Adams
02 Mar, 2026
New York City
Stock market indexes around the world declined, crude oil surged, and gold jumped as the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran over the weekend.
The unprovoked strikes rattled global sentiment, and crude oil prices jumped as much as 7% and natural gas prices soared more than 20% in Europe amid rising fears of supply disruptions.
Benchmark indexes in Japan, India, and Hong Kong dropped between 1% and 2%, and in Europe, they fell more than 1% as investors avoided riskier assets.
The killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the weekend raised stakes too high in the region, and Iran stepped up its attacks on the U.S. military bases in the UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
The fears of prolonged conflict in the Middle East engulfing a wider list of nations kept stock markets on edge and drove oil and gas prices higher around the world.
U.S. Movers
A sustained closure of the Strait of Hormuz could ripple through global oil markets and stoke inflationary forces worldwide.
Exxon Mobil gained 3.8% to $158.11, Chevron Corp. advanced 3.5% to $193.40, BP PLC increased 0.4% to $39.03, and TotalEnergies SE edged up 0.9% to $81.06, and ConocoPhillips jumped 2.4% to $119.40.
China and Hong Kong Indexes Faced Selling Pressure After Tensions Flared Up In the Middle East
Li Chen
02 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong
Financial markets in China and Asia turned volatile after the U.S. and Israel attacked targets in Iran and killed several political leaders.
The Hang Seng Index decreased 2% and dropped as much as 2.8% in early trading as investors reacted for the first time to the attacks on Iran.
Broader market averages in mainland China rebounded to close higher amid a recovering sentiment, despite Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz for oil cargo transit.
Brent crude jumped as much as 14% to $82.35 before settling 7% at $79.46 in Shanghai trading as traders digested the latest developments in the Middle East.
The worries of prolonged global energy supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, through which one fifth of the global crude oil and gas supply transits, stoked crude oil prices higher.
Gold gained 2.3% to $5,402.52 an ounce as investors sought safe-haven assets amid rising geopolitical tensions.
In a retaliatory strike, Iran attacked U.S. military bases in Qatar, UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq.
The global risk-aversion sentiment was further enhanced amid ongoing worries about the potential artificial intelligence-driven disruption spreading to wider segments of the global economy.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 2% to 26,092.84, and the CSI 300 increased 0.4% to 4,727.09.
Shipping companies traded higher in Hong Kong after freight rates jumped, reflecting elevated tensions in the Middle East.
COSCO Shipping Holdings advanced 1.7% to HK $15.44; China Merchants Port Holdings decreased 1.8% to HK $17.17; and Orient Overseas International advanced 2.5% to HK $153.50.
China and Hong Kong Indexes Faced Selling Pressure After Tensions Flared Up In the Middle East
Li Chen
02 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong
Financial markets in China and Asia turned volatile after the U.S. and Israel attacked targets in Iran and killed several political leaders.
The Hang Seng Index decreased 2% and dropped as much as 2.8% in early trading as investors reacted for the first time to the attacks on Iran.
Broader market averages in mainland China rebounded to close higher amid a recovering sentiment, despite Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz for oil cargo transit.
Brent crude jumped as much as 14% to $82.35 before settling 7% at $79.46 in Shanghai trading as traders digested the latest developments in the Middle East.
The worries of prolonged global energy supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, through which one fifth of the global crude oil and gas supply transits, stoked crude oil prices higher.
Gold gained 2.3% to $5,402.52 an ounce as investors sought safe-haven assets amid rising geopolitical tensions.
In a retaliatory strike, Iran attacked U.S. military bases in Qatar, UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq.
The global risk-aversion sentiment was further enhanced amid ongoing worries about the potential artificial intelligence-driven disruption spreading to wider segments of the global economy.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 2% to 26,092.84, and the CSI 300 increased 0.4% to 4,727.09.
Shipping companies traded higher in Hong Kong after freight rates jumped, reflecting elevated tensions in the Middle East.
COSCO Shipping Holdings advanced 1.7% to HK $15.44; China Merchants Port Holdings decreased 1.8% to HK $17.17; and Orient Overseas International advanced 2.5% to HK $153.50.
Japan's Indexes Extended Weekly Gains to 3%
Akira Ito
27 Feb, 2026
Tokyo
The weakness in tech stocks dragged down overall market averages amid heightened worries about artificial intelligence buildout and its impact on several industries.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.2%, and the broader Topix Index increased 1.5%, overcoming morning jitters related to potential disruptions from the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence-linked technologies.
Japan's retail sales in January rose at the fastest pace since June, supported by targeted government incentives to support household spending.
Retail sales in January advanced 1.8% from a year ago, rebounding from a 0.9% decline in the previous month, according to the Ministry of Economy Trade & Industry.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.2%, and the broader Topix Index advanced 1.5% to 58,850.27.
Semiconductor equipment stocks led decliners in Tokyo trading, extending weekly losses amid ongoing global weakness in tech stocks.
Advantest Corp. declined 4.5% to ¥26,850.0, Tokyo Electron Corp. decreased 2.9% to ¥44,010.0, and Disco Corp. fell 4.5% to ¥75,500.0.
Sony Group Corp. advanced 7.2% to ¥3,643.0 after the company announced its plan to expand its stock repurchase program to as much as 250 million yen from 150 billion yen.
Japan's Indexes Extended Weekly Gains to 3%
Akira Ito
27 Feb, 2026
Tokyo
The weakness in tech stocks dragged down overall market averages amid heightened worries about artificial intelligence buildout and its impact on several industries.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.2%, and the broader Topix Index increased 1.5%, overcoming morning jitters related to potential disruptions from the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence-linked technologies.
Japan's retail sales in January rose at the fastest pace since June, supported by targeted government incentives to support household spending.
Retail sales in January advanced 1.8% from a year ago, rebounding from a 0.9% decline in the previous month, according to the Ministry of Economy Trade & Industry.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.2%, and the broader Topix Index advanced 1.5% to 58,850.27.
Semiconductor equipment stocks led decliners in Tokyo trading, extending weekly losses amid ongoing global weakness in tech stocks.
Advantest Corp. declined 4.5% to ¥26,850.0, Tokyo Electron Corp. decreased 2.9% to ¥44,010.0, and Disco Corp. fell 4.5% to ¥75,500.0.
Sony Group Corp. advanced 7.2% to ¥3,643.0 after the company announced its plan to expand its stock repurchase program to as much as 250 million yen from 150 billion yen.
Japan's Indexes Extended Weekly Gains to 3%
Akira Ito
27 Feb, 2026
Tokyo
The weakness in tech stocks dragged down overall market averages amid heightened worries about artificial intelligence buildout and its impact on several industries.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.2%, and the broader Topix Index increased 1.5%, overcoming morning jitters related to potential disruptions from the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence-linked technologies.
Japan's retail sales in January rose at the fastest pace since June, supported by targeted government incentives to support household spending.
Retail sales in January advanced 1.8% from a year ago, rebounding from a 0.9% decline in the previous month, according to the Ministry of Economy Trade & Industry.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.2%, and the broader Topix Index advanced 1.5% to 58,850.27.
Semiconductor equipment stocks led decliners in Tokyo trading, extending weekly losses amid ongoing global weakness in tech stocks.
Advantest Corp. declined 4.5% to ¥26,850.0, Tokyo Electron Corp. decreased 2.9% to ¥44,010.0, and Disco Corp. fell 4.5% to ¥75,500.0.
Sony Group Corp. advanced 7.2% to ¥3,643.0 after the company announced its plan to expand its stock repurchase program to as much as 250 million yen from 150 billion yen.
China Indexes Turned Lower In February as AI Euphoria Turns to Scare
Li Chen
27 Feb, 2026
Mumbai
Stocks in China and Hong Kong diverged as investors reacted to corporate news ahead of key parliamentary meetings next week.
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.8%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index decreased 0.7% amid growing worries about the AI-driven disruptions spreading beyond software, financial, and logistics industries.
China's policymakers are set to debate industrial and economic policies, announce economic growth targets, and prioritize policy objectives for the 15th Five-Year Plan ending in 2030.
Chinese leaders have been emphasizing the need for policymakers to focus on slower economic growth, provide additional support for advanced technology, and promote international expansion.
China's annual Two Sessions are scheduled to start on March 4 and are likely to end on March 11.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.8% to 26,578.03, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index decreased 0.7% to 4,693.20.
The persistent fears of AI-related disruptions dragged down the Hang Seng Index by 3.2% in February, the worst monthly decline since October.
Global investors have been in sell-mode amid uncertainties linked to the rapid deployment of artificial infrastructure and potential disruptions to business models in software, logistics, and wealth management.
Metals and mining stocks led gainers for the second week in a row in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Inner Mongolian BaoTou Steel jumped 9% to 3.25 yuan, China Northern Rare Earth Group gained 4.2% to 62.62 yuan, and Beijing TeamSun Technology gained 7.5% to 29.41 yuan.
Semiconductor-related stocks led gainers after a muted reaction to strong earnings from AI leader Nvidia.
Eoptolink Technology decreased 6.7% to 360.00 yuan, Victory Giant fell 3.9% to 303.12 yuan, and Zhongji Innologht dropped 6.2% to 536.54 yuan.
China Indexes Turned Lower In February as AI Euphoria Turns to Scare
Li Chen
27 Feb, 2026
Mumbai
Stocks in China and Hong Kong diverged as investors reacted to corporate news ahead of key parliamentary meetings next week.
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.8%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index decreased 0.7% amid growing worries about the AI-driven disruptions spreading beyond software, financial, and logistics industries.
China's policymakers are set to debate industrial and economic policies, announce economic growth targets, and prioritize policy objectives for the 15th Five-Year Plan ending in 2030.
Chinese leaders have been emphasizing the need for policymakers to focus on slower economic growth, provide additional support for advanced technology, and promote international expansion.
China's annual Two Sessions are scheduled to start on March 4 and are likely to end on March 11.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.8% to 26,578.03, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index decreased 0.7% to 4,693.20.
The persistent fears of AI-related disruptions dragged down the Hang Seng Index by 3.2% in February, the worst monthly decline since October.
Global investors have been in sell-mode amid uncertainties linked to the rapid deployment of artificial infrastructure and potential disruptions to business models in software, logistics, and wealth management.
Metals and mining stocks led gainers for the second week in a row in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Inner Mongolian BaoTou Steel jumped 9% to 3.25 yuan, China Northern Rare Earth Group gained 4.2% to 62.62 yuan, and Beijing TeamSun Technology gained 7.5% to 29.41 yuan.
Semiconductor-related stocks led gainers after a muted reaction to strong earnings from AI leader Nvidia.
Eoptolink Technology decreased 6.7% to 360.00 yuan, Victory Giant fell 3.9% to 303.12 yuan, and Zhongji Innologht dropped 6.2% to 536.54 yuan.
Nvidia and Salesforce Earnings Dominated Wall Street Trading
Barry Adams
26 Feb, 2026
New York City
Stocks on Wall Street lacked momentum as investors digested earnings from key technology companies.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.2% as investors reacted to quarterly results from Nvidia and Salesforce.
NVIDIA, the chipmaking company leading the artificial intelligence investments, posted better-than-expected revenue and earnings.
Salesforce struggled to advance despite the customer service software maker reporting better-than-expected quarterly results.
However, a weaker-than-expected fiscal 2027 outlook weighed on the stock.
Initial jobless claims at the end of last week rose by 4,000 to 212,000, according to the latest update from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Continuing claims, which lag by one week, decreased 31,000 to 1.833 million, hovering near a 10-month low.
The latest jobs report confirmed the resilient labor market, reflecting low hiring and low firing by businesses.
U.S. Movers
Nvidia Corp. increased 0.7% to $197.03 after the advanced chipmaker reported better-than-expected quarterly results.
The advanced chipmaker's revenue rose 73% to $68.1 billion from $39.3 billion, net income advanced 94% to $42.9 billion from $22.1 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.76 from $0.89 a year ago.
The company guided fiscal first quarter revenue of $78 billion, which excludes any potential data center compute revenue in China, and gross margins at 74.9%.
Snowflake Inc. increased 0.4% to $169.88 after the software company reported quarterly results and estimated product revenue in the current quarter slightly ahead of estimates.
Trade Desk dropped 16.5% to $21.02 after the advertising platform operator estimated weaker-than-expected adjusted earnings of $195 million in the fiscal first quarter.
Nvidia and Salesforce Earnings Dominated Wall Street Trading
Barry Adams
26 Feb, 2026
New York City
Stocks on Wall Street lacked momentum as investors digested earnings from key technology companies.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.2% as investors reacted to quarterly results from Nvidia and Salesforce.
NVIDIA, the chipmaking company leading the artificial intelligence investments, posted better-than-expected revenue and earnings.
Salesforce struggled to advance despite the customer service software maker reporting better-than-expected quarterly results.
However, a weaker-than-expected fiscal 2027 outlook weighed on the stock.
Initial jobless claims at the end of last week rose by 4,000 to 212,000, according to the latest update from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Continuing claims, which lag by one week, decreased 31,000 to 1.833 million, hovering near a 10-month low.
The latest jobs report confirmed the resilient labor market, reflecting low hiring and low firing by businesses.
U.S. Movers
Nvidia Corp. increased 0.7% to $197.03 after the advanced chipmaker reported better-than-expected quarterly results.
The advanced chipmaker's revenue rose 73% to $68.1 billion from $39.3 billion, net income advanced 94% to $42.9 billion from $22.1 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.76 from $0.89 a year ago.
The company guided fiscal first quarter revenue of $78 billion, which excludes any potential data center compute revenue in China, and gross margins at 74.9%.
Snowflake Inc. increased 0.4% to $169.88 after the software company reported quarterly results and estimated product revenue in the current quarter slightly ahead of estimates.
Trade Desk dropped 16.5% to $21.02 after the advertising platform operator estimated weaker-than-expected adjusted earnings of $195 million in the fiscal first quarter.
Nvidia and Salesforce Earnings Dominated Wall Street Trading Sentiment
Barry Adams
26 Feb, 2026
New York City
Stocks on Wall Street lacked momentum as investors digested earnings from key technology companies.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.2% as investors reacted to quarterly results from Nvidia and Salesforce.
NVIDIA, the chipmaking company leading the artificial intelligence investments, posted better-than-expected revenue and earnings.
Salesforce struggled to advance despite the customer service software maker reporting better-than-expected quarterly results.
However, a weaker-than-expected fiscal 2027 outlook weighed on the stock.
Initial jobless claims at the end of last week rose by 4,000 to 212,000, according to the latest update from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Continuing claims, which lag by one week, decreased 31,000 to 1.833 million, hovering near a 10-month low.
The latest jobs report confirmed the resilient labor market, reflecting low hiring and low firing by businesses.
U.S. Movers
Nvidia Corp. increased 0.7% to $197.03 after the advanced chipmaker reported better-than-expected quarterly results.
The advanced chipmaker's revenue rose 73% to $68.1 billion from $39.3 billion, net income advanced 94% to $42.9 billion from $22.1 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.76 from $0.89 a year ago.
The company guided fiscal first quarter revenue of $78 billion, which excludes any potential data center compute revenue in China, and gross margins at 74.9%.
Snowflake Inc. increased 0.4% to $169.88 after the software company reported quarterly results and estimated product revenue in the current quarter slightly ahead of estimates.
Trade Desk dropped 16.5% to $21.02 after the advertising platform operator estimated weaker-than-expected adjusted earnings of $195 million in the fiscal first quarter.