Market Update
Japan's Economic Updates Confirmed Resilient Conditions
Akira Ito
29 May, 2026
Tokyo
Japan's stock market indexes advanced on Friday, and investors reviewed the latest economic updates.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 2.6%, the broader TOPIX advanced 1.9%, and the Japanese yen closed at 159.04 against the U.S. dollar.
For the week, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average advanced 2.2%, and the TOPIX increased 1.1%, driven by persistent enthusiasm over the AI trade.
In May, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 11.3%, and the TOPIX increased 6.8% after investors bid up AI- and semiconductor-related stocks for the second consecutive month.
Investors also reviewed the latest updates on the job market, industrial production, retail sales, and inflation.
Japan's Jobless Rate Eased and Job Market Expanded
The jobless rate eased to 2.5% in April from 2.7% in the previous month, as many people switched jobs at the start of the new financial year.
The number of people with jobs advanced 0.9% to a seasonally adjusted 68.76 million, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications reported Friday.
Despite the geopolitical uncertainties, the job market is resilient, and the job availability ratio was unchanged from March at 1.18, according to a separate report.
Japan's Industrial Production Rebounded in April
Japan's industrial production expanded by 0.8% in April from the previous month, according to a monthly update from the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry.
The gains in the manufacturing of machinery and chip-related devices made up for the decrease in vehicles and chemicals.
The decline in the chemicals sector was due to regular maintenance at plants, according to a government official.
The industrial production rebounded from the revised 0.4% decrease in March, as the supply disruptions of naphtha because of the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The seasonally adjusted indexes of manufacturing and mining increased to 102.8, from the 2000 base of 100, according to a preliminary report from the ministry.
The index of industrial shipments increased 1.5% from a year ago to 101.2, while the index for the inventories contracted by 0.2% to 96.1.
Stimulus Package Supported Retail Sales Growth In April
Japan's annual retail sales growth accelerated in April from March, supported by the government's stimulus package aimed at easing price pressures and boosting consumption.
Retail sales rose by 2.1% in April compared to the downwardly revised 1.4% rise in the previous month, according to a report from the Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry.
Sales of automobiles rose by 15.4%, machinery and equipment by 5.5%, and food & beverages by 0.2%; however, sales of fuel declined by 9.0%, and apparel and personal items fell by 1.6%.
Tokyo-Area Inflation Moderated Amid Subsidies
The Tokyo area's price increase momentum eased in April, according to the latest report released by the Statistics Bureau of Japan.
Core inflation, which excludes food prices, rose at a slower annual pace of 1.3% compared to 1.5% in the previous month.
The fuel subsidies and favorable base effect limited the impact of higher raw material prices linked to the Middle East conflict.
However, corporations are likely to pass on higher prices to consumers, as years of sustained price pressures have made businesses more comfortable raising prices.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average surged 2.6% to 66,369.03, and the broader TOPIX advanced 1.9% to 3,977.84.
Investors bid up stocks providing components for high-end computer servers, including makers of multi-layered ceramic servers.
Murata Manufacturing advanced 12.7% to ¥9,625.0, Taio Yuden soared 14% to ¥14,815.0, and Ibiden Co. jumped 16.5% to ¥23,000.0.
Japan's Retail Sales and Job Market Updates Signaled Resilient Economic Conditions
Akira Ito
29 May, 2026
Tokyo
Japan's stock market indexes advanced on Friday, and investors reviewed the latest economic updates.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 2.6%, the broader TOPIX advanced 1.9%, and the Japanese yen closed at 159.04 against the U.S. dollar.
For the week, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average advanced 2.2%, and the TOPIX increased 1.1%, driven by persistent enthusiasm over the AI trade.
In May, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 11.3%, and the TOPIX increased 6.8% after investors bid up AI- and semiconductor-related stocks for the second consecutive month.
Investors also reviewed the latest updates on the job market, industrial production, retail sales, and inflation.
Japan's Jobless Rate Eased and Job Market Expanded
The jobless rate eased to 2.5% in April from 2.7% in the previous month, as many people switched jobs at the start of the new financial year.
The number of people with jobs advanced 0.9% to a seasonally adjusted 68.76 million, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications reported Friday.
Despite the geopolitical uncertainties, the job market is resilient, and the job availability ratio was unchanged from March at 1.18, according to a separate report.
Japan's Industrial Production Rebounded in April
Japan's industrial production expanded by 0.8% in April from the previous month, according to a monthly update from the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry.
The gains in the manufacturing of machinery and chip-related devices made up for the decrease in vehicles and chemicals.
The decline in the chemicals sector was due to regular maintenance at plants, according to a government official.
The industrial production rebounded from the revised 0.4% decrease in March, as the supply disruptions of naphtha because of the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The seasonally adjusted indexes of manufacturing and mining increased to 102.8, from the 2000 base of 100, according to a preliminary report from the ministry.
The index of industrial shipments increased 1.5% from a year ago to 101.2, while the index for the inventories contracted by 0.2% to 96.1.
Stimulus Package Supported Retail Sales Growth In April
Japan's annual retail sales growth accelerated in April from March, supported by the government's stimulus package aimed at easing price pressures and boosting consumption.
Retail sales rose by 2.1% in April compared to the downwardly revised 1.4% rise in the previous month, according to a report from the Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry.
Sales of automobiles rose by 15.4%, machinery and equipment by 5.5%, and food & beverages by 0.2%; however, sales of fuel declined by 9.0%, and apparel and personal items fell by 1.6%.
Tokyo-Area Inflation Moderated Amid Subsidies
The Tokyo area's price increase momentum eased in April, according to the latest report released by the Statistics Bureau of Japan.
Core inflation, which excludes food prices, rose at a slower annual pace of 1.3% compared to 1.5% in the previous month.
The fuel subsidies and favorable base effect limited the impact of higher raw material prices linked to the Middle East conflict.
However, corporations are likely to pass on higher prices to consumers, as years of sustained price pressures have made businesses more comfortable raising prices.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average surged 2.6% to 66,369.03, and the broader TOPIX advanced 1.9% to 3,977.84.
Investors bid up stocks providing components for high-end computer servers, including makers of multi-layered ceramic servers.
Murata Manufacturing advanced 12.7% to ¥9,625.0, Taio Yuden soared 14% to ¥14,815.0, and Ibiden Co. jumped 16.5% to ¥23,000.0.
China's Indexes Delivered Mixed Performance In May
Li Chen
29 May, 2026
Hong Kong
China's benchmark indexes delivered mixed performance after a week of trading, amid lingering Middle East tensions.
The Hang Seng Index advanced more than 1%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged up a fraction.
After a week of choppy trading, the Hang Seng index decreased 1.3%, and the CSI 300 Index edged up 0.9%.
The Hang Seng Index fell 3.1% in May, while the mainland-focused index rose 2.2%.
China's stocks are attracting investor attention from around the world, participating in a market rally driven by electric vehicle makers, semiconductor chip developers, AI technology and product makers, renewable energy-focused companies, and rare earth and precious metals miners.
Despite the recent run-up in China-based stocks, investors have been cautious about increasing exposure to Chinese companies amid low margins, intense competition, and poor visibility of future profits.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index increased 1.1% to 25,283.98, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged up 0.1% to 4,917.02.
SMIC declined 2%, Hua Hong Semiconductor decreased 3%, Xiaomi Corp. dropped 2%, and BYD advanced 2%.
BYD jumped as much as 4% after the company announced a series of technology breakthroughs, including China's first automotive-grade 4-nanometer chip design for autonomous driving systems.
China's Indexes Delivered Mixed Performance In May
Li Chen
29 May, 2026
Hong Kong
China's benchmark indexes delivered mixed performance after a week of trading, amid lingering Middle East tensions.
The Hang Seng Index advanced more than 1%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged up a fraction.
After a week of choppy trading, the Hang Seng index decreased 1.3%, and the CSI 300 Index edged up 0.9%.
The Hang Seng Index fell 3.1% in May, while the mainland-focused index rose 2.2%.
China's stocks are attracting investor attention from around the world, participating in a market rally driven by electric vehicle makers, semiconductor chip developers, AI technology and product makers, renewable energy-focused companies, and rare earth and precious metals miners.
Despite the recent run-up in China-based stocks, investors have been cautious about increasing exposure to Chinese companies amid low margins, intense competition, and poor visibility of future profits.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index increased 1.1% to 25,283.98, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged up 0.1% to 4,917.02.
SMIC declined 2%, Hua Hong Semiconductor decreased 3%, Xiaomi Corp. dropped 2%, and BYD advanced 2%.
BYD jumped as much as 4% after the company announced a series of technology breakthroughs, including China's first automotive-grade 4-nanometer chip design for autonomous driving systems.
U.S. Movers: Best Buy, Dollar Tree, Kohl's, Marvell Technology, Snowflake
Scott Peters
28 May, 2026
New York City
Marvell Technology decreased 2.8% to $193.24 after the semiconductor company reported financial results for its fiscal first quarter ending on May 3.
Net revenues increased 28% to $2.4 billion from $1.9 billion, net income dropped to $34.5 million from $177.9 million, and diluted earnings per share eased to 4 cents from 20 cents a year ago.
"We expect revenue growth to continue accelerating each quarter throughout fiscal 2027, driven by continued strength in our data center business,” said Matt Murphy, Marvell’s chairman and CEO.
The company raised its fiscal 2027 and 2028 guidance, "driven by strong demand across a broad set of Marvell solutions," including Ethernet switches and optical interconnect solutions.
The company guided fiscal second quarter revenue of $2.7 billion and diluted net income per share of 37 cents.
Snowflake Inc. soared 37% to $240.25 after the company posted its quarterly results and inked a long-term cloud infrastructure partnership deal with Amazon's AWS unit.
Net revenues in the fiscal first quarter, ending in April, rose 33% to $1.4 billion from $1.1 billion; net loss shrank to $295.6 million from $430.1 million; and diluted loss per share decreased to 86 cents from $1.29 a year ago.
The company estimated product revenue for the fiscal second quarter to range between $1.415 billion and $1.420 billion and for the full year to rise 31% to $5.84 billion, higher than the previous estimate of $5.66 billion.
Kohl's Corp. soared 11% to $14.31 after the retailer posted a narrower-than-expected loss in the fiscal first quarter.
Best Buy Company jumped 8.9% to $69.99 after the electronics retailer reported better-than-expected fiscal first quarter results.
Comparable sales advanced 2% from a year ago, and the specialty retailer reaffirmed its annual outlook.
Dollar Tree jumped 13% to $108.18 after the deep-discount retailer reported fiscal first-quarter results ending on May 2.
The company reiterated its current quarter and full-year sales estimates.
Net revenues increased 7.2% to $5 billion from $4.6 billion, net income increased to $347.3 million from $343.4 million, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.76 from $1.61 a year ago.
The company expects net sales from continuing operations for the second quarter to range from $4.8 billion to $4.9 billion, based on comparable store net sales growth in the range of 2.5% to 3.5%.
The company guided full-year 2026 sales to fall between $20.5 billion and $20.7 billion and adjusted diluted earnings per share between $6.70 and $7.10.
U.S. Movers: Best Buy, Dollar Tree, Kohl's, Marvell Technology, Snowflake
Scott Peters
28 May, 2026
New York City
Marvell Technology decreased 2.8% to $193.24 after the semiconductor company reported financial results for its fiscal first quarter ending on May 3.
Net revenues increased 28% to $2.4 billion from $1.9 billion, net income dropped to $34.5 million from $177.9 million, and diluted earnings per share eased to 4 cents from 20 cents a year ago.
"We expect revenue growth to continue accelerating each quarter throughout fiscal 2027, driven by continued strength in our data center business,” said Matt Murphy, Marvell’s chairman and CEO.
The company raised its fiscal 2027 and 2028 guidance, "driven by strong demand across a broad set of Marvell solutions," including Ethernet switches and optical interconnect solutions.
The company guided fiscal second quarter revenue of $2.7 billion and diluted net income per share of 37 cents.
Snowflake Inc. soared 37% to $240.25 after the company posted its quarterly results and inked a long-term cloud infrastructure partnership deal with Amazon's AWS unit.
Net revenues in the fiscal first quarter, ending in April, rose 33% to $1.4 billion from $1.1 billion; net loss shrank to $295.6 million from $430.1 million; and diluted loss per share decreased to 86 cents from $1.29 a year ago.
The company estimated product revenue for the fiscal second quarter to range between $1.415 billion and $1.420 billion and for the full year to rise 31% to $5.84 billion, higher than the previous estimate of $5.66 billion.
Kohl's Corp. soared 11% to $14.31 after the retailer posted a narrower-than-expected loss in the fiscal first quarter.
Best Buy Company jumped 8.9% to $69.99 after the electronics retailer reported better-than-expected fiscal first quarter results.
Comparable sales advanced 2% from a year ago, and the specialty retailer reaffirmed its annual outlook.
Dollar Tree jumped 13% to $108.18 after the deep-discount retailer reported fiscal first-quarter results ending on May 2.
The company reiterated its current quarter and full-year sales estimates.
Net revenues increased 7.2% to $5 billion from $4.6 billion, net income increased to $347.3 million from $343.4 million, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.76 from $1.61 a year ago.
The company expects net sales from continuing operations for the second quarter to range from $4.8 billion to $4.9 billion, based on comparable store net sales growth in the range of 2.5% to 3.5%.
The company guided full-year 2026 sales to fall between $20.5 billion and $20.7 billion and adjusted diluted earnings per share between $6.70 and $7.10.
AI- and Tech-Driven Market Rally Retained Upward Bias, Overlooking Middle East Uncertainties
Barry Adams
28 May, 2026
New York City
Stocks on Wall Street hovered around the flatline, as investors reviewed the latest events in the Middle East and reacted to corporate news.
The S&P 500 Index decreased 0.1%, and the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite declined 0.3%; and they had closed at new record highs in the previous session.
The last two months' rally has lifted AI- and semiconductor-related stocks to new record highs, and computer memory chipmakers have more than doubled as these companies are deemed to be key beneficiaries of the AI investment cycle.
Investors monitored the developments in the Middle East, as the U.S. confirmed it carried out fresh airstrikes in Iran overnight, targeting military sites.
Iran said it will step up its attacks on U.S. military bases in the Gulf region as Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia braced for more drone and missile attacks.
The West Texas Intermediate crude oil price soared 1.8% to $90.24 per barrel, and the Brent crude oil price increased 1.9% to $96.04 per barrel.
On the economic front, the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index advanced 0.4% in April, following a 0.7% monthly rise in the previous month.
The annual increase in the alternative measure of inflation accelerated to 3.8%, following a rise of 3.5% in March, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The core PCE Index, which excludes food and energy, accelerate to 3.3% from 3.2%, confirming the highest reading since late 2023.
Overall, the report reinforced that inflationary pressures remain elevated and significantly above the Federal Reserve's target rate of 2%.
U.S. Movers
Marvell Technology decreased 2.8% to $193.24 after the semiconductor company reported financial results for its fiscal first quarter ending on May 3.
Net revenues increased 28% to $2.4 billion from $1.9 billion, net income dropped to $34.5 million from $177.9 million, and diluted earnings per share eased to 4 cents from 20 cents a year ago.
"We expect revenue growth to continue accelerating each quarter throughout fiscal 2027, driven by continued strength in our data center business,” said Matt Murphy, Marvell’s chairman and CEO.
The company raised its fiscal 2027 and 2028 guidance, "driven by strong demand across a broad set of Marvell solutions," including Ethernet switches and optical interconnect solutions.
The company guided fiscal second quarter revenue of $2.7 billion and diluted net income per share of 37 cents.
Snowflake Inc. soared 37% to $240.25 after the company posted its quarterly results and inked a long-term cloud infrastructure partnership deal with Amazon's AWS unit.
Net revenues in the fiscal first quarter, ending in April, rose 33% to $1.4 billion from $1.1 billion; net loss shrank to $295.6 million from $430.1 million; and diluted loss per share decreased to 86 cents from $1.29 a year ago.
The company estimated product revenue for the fiscal second quarter to range between $1.415 billion and $1.420 billion and for the full year to rise 31% to $5.84 billion, higher than the previous estimate of $5.66 billion.
Kohl's Corp. soared 11% to $14.31 after the retailer posted a narrower-than-expected loss in the fiscal first quarter.
Best Buy Company jumped 8.9% to $69.99 after the electronics retailer reported better-than-expected results for the fiscal first quarter ending on May 2.
Revenue increased to $8.9 billion from $8.8 billion, net income rose to $276 million from $202 million, and diluted earnings per share advanced to $1.31 from 95 cents a year ago.
Comparable sales advanced 2% compared to a decline of 0.7% in the year ago period, and the specialty retailer reaffirmed its annual outlook.
Best Buy estimated fiscal year revenue between $41.2 billion and $42.1 billion and comparable sales to range between a decline of 1% and a rise of 1%.
Dollar Tree jumped 13% to $108.18 after the deep-discount retailer reported fiscal first-quarter results ending on May 2.
The company reiterated its current quarter and full-year sales estimates.
Net revenues increased 7.2% to $5 billion from $4.6 billion, net income increased to $347.3 million from $343.4 million, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.76 from $1.61 a year ago.
The company expects net sales from continuing operations for the second quarter to range from $4.8 billion to $4.9 billion, based on comparable store net sales growth in the range of 2.5% to 3.5%.
The company guided full-year 2026 sales to fall between $20.5 billion and $20.7 billion and adjusted diluted earnings per share between $6.70 and $7.10.