Market Update
Global Tech Sell-Off Extended Weekly Losses In Tokyo
Akira Ito
18 Dec, 2025
Tokyo
Weakening market sentiment and rate-decision anxieties kept market indexes down in Tokyo for the fourth consecutive session.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 1.1%, the broader Topix declined 0.5%, and the yen held near the 155 level ahead of rate decisions.
The Bank of Japan is widely anticipated to raise its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 0.75%, and investors are awaiting the central bank's rate outlook for 2026.
Japan's policymakers are struggling to contain the steep decline in yen while supporting the broader economic activities amid an uncertain outlook for exports.
The European Central Bank and the Bank of England are expected to hold steady their benchmark rates amid weakening inflation and an anemic economic growth outlook.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average declined 1.1% to 48,971.47, and the broader Topix fell 0.5% to 3,353.78.
In Tokyo, tech stocks led the broader market sell-off following losses in overnight trading in New York.
The latest tech-driven sell-off was exacerbated by a report that Oracle's primary investor in its data center investments decided to pull out from a $10 billion project in Michigan.
Oracle disputed the reports and said the center project is on track, and the news was first reported by the Financial Times.
The jittery investors avoided additional exposure to high-flying tech stocks, dampening tech stocks across the globe.
Softbank Group decreased 3.3% to ¥16,205.0, Tokyo Electron declined 3% to ¥30,370.0, and Advantest Corp. fell 3.6% to ¥18,750.0.
Defense stocks remained in focus as Japan's lawmakers prepare to loosen restrictions surrounding the sale of arms and military technology to international buyers.
IHI Corp. declined 2.6% to ¥2,739.0, Fujikura Ltd. decreased 3.5% to ¥15,950.0, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries dropped 4.6% to ¥10,990.0.
Global Tech Sell-Off Extended Weekly Losses In Tokyo
Akira Ito
18 Dec, 2025
Tokyo
Weakening market sentiment and rate-decision anxieties kept market indexes down in Tokyo for the fourth consecutive session.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 1.1%, the broader Topix declined 0.5%, and the yen held near the 155 level ahead of rate decisions.
The Bank of Japan is widely anticipated to raise its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 0.75%, and investors are awaiting the central bank's rate outlook for 2026.
Japan's policymakers are struggling to contain the steep decline in yen while supporting the broader economic activities amid an uncertain outlook for exports.
The European Central Bank and the Bank of England are expected to hold steady their benchmark rates amid weakening inflation and an anemic economic growth outlook.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average declined 1.1% to 48,971.47, and the broader Topix fell 0.5% to 3,353.78.
In Tokyo, tech stocks led the broader market sell-off following losses in overnight trading in New York.
The latest tech-driven sell-off was exacerbated by a report that Oracle's primary investor in its data center investments decided to pull out from a $10 billion project in Michigan.
Oracle disputed the reports and said the center project is on track, and the news was first reported by the Financial Times.
The jittery investors avoided additional exposure to high-flying tech stocks, dampening tech stocks across the globe.
Softbank Group decreased 3.3% to ¥16,205.0, Tokyo Electron declined 3% to ¥30,370.0, and Advantest Corp. fell 3.6% to ¥18,750.0.
Defense stocks remained in focus as Japan's lawmakers prepare to loosen restrictions surrounding the sale of arms and military technology to international buyers.
IHI Corp. declined 2.6% to ¥2,739.0, Fujikura Ltd. decreased 3.5% to ¥15,950.0, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries dropped 4.6% to ¥10,990.0.
Tech Stocks Led China Sell-Off as Global AI Bubble Worries Swirled Markets
Li Chen
18 Dec, 2025
Hong Kong
Concerns about the AI bubble drove market sentiment in Hong Kong and the mainland, as investors wondered if the global boom in the advanced technology could turn into overcapacity.
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.4%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index fell 0.6% amid growing anxieties about the durability of elevated investment in data centers.
High-flying chipmakers, application developers, platform operators, and AI infrastructure companies faced another down day as investors questioned the investment case and the level of returns.
Oracle dropped more than 5% in New York after its longtime partner pulled out of a $10 billion deal to build a data center in Michigan, U.S.A.
Blue Owl Capital's decision spilled over and dragged down Nvidia, Broadcom, and other AI-related stocks between 2% and 5%.
Oracle disputed the Financial Times report and confirmed that the database and cloud computing company is continuing with its plans to build a large facility in Michigan.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.4% to 25,370.47, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index declined 0.6% to 4,554.12.
Despite the lingering market worries about AI valuations, for the year so far the Hang Seng Index is up 29%, and the CSI 300 index is higher by 19%.
Xiaomi Corp. declined 3% to HK $39.96, Baidu Inc. fell 2% to HK $116.50, Alibaba Group decreased 1.4% to HK $143.90, and Tencent Holding decreased 1% to HK $602.50.
Tech Stocks Led China Sell-Off as Global AI Bubble Worries Swirled Markets
Li Chen
18 Dec, 2025
Hong Kong
Concerns about the AI bubble drove market sentiment in Hong Kong and the mainland, as investors wondered if the global boom in the advanced technology could turn into overcapacity.
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.4%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index fell 0.6% amid growing anxieties about the durability of elevated investment in data centers.
High-flying chipmakers, application developers, platform operators, and AI infrastructure companies faced another down day as investors questioned the investment case and the level of returns.
Oracle dropped more than 5% in New York after its longtime partner pulled out of a $10 billion deal to build a data center in Michigan, U.S.A.
Blue Owl Capital's decision spilled over and dragged down Nvidia, Broadcom, and other AI-related stocks between 2% and 5%.
Oracle disputed the Financial Times report and confirmed that the database and cloud computing company is continuing with its plans to build a large facility in Michigan.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.4% to 25,370.47, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index declined 0.6% to 4,554.12.
Despite the lingering market worries about AI valuations, for the year so far the Hang Seng Index is up 29%, and the CSI 300 index is higher by 19%.
Xiaomi Corp. declined 3% to HK $39.96, Baidu Inc. fell 2% to HK $116.50, Alibaba Group decreased 1.4% to HK $143.90, and Tencent Holding decreased 1% to HK $602.50.
China THURSDAY
Li Chen
18 Dec, 2025
Hong Kong
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.4% to 25,370.47, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index declined 0.6
China THURSDAY
Li Chen
18 Dec, 2025
Hong Kong
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.4% to 25,370.47, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index declined
China THURSDAY
Li Chen
18 Dec, 2025
Hong Kong
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.4% to 25,370.47, and the mainl
China THURSDAY
Li Chen
18 Dec, 2025
Hong Kong
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased
China THURSDAY
Li Chen
18 Dec, 2025
Hong Kong
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased
China THURSDAY
Li Chen
18 Dec, 2025
Hong Kong
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased
U.S. Movers: Lennar
Scott Peters
17 Dec, 2025
New York City
Lennar Corp. decreased 4% to $112.98 after the Miami-based homebuilder reported weaker-than-estimated quarterly results and a lukewarm outlook for the current quarter.
Total revenues in the fiscal fourth quarter ending in November decreased to $9.4 billion from $9.9 billion, net earnings dropped to $497.9 million from $1.1 billion, and diluted earnings per share eased to $1.93 from $4.06 a year ago.
Lennar said new orders in the quarter increased 18% to $20,018, and the backlog was 13,936 homes worth $5.2 billion.
The home builder estimated home deliveries between 17,000 and 18,000 in the fiscal first quarter and a gross margin of 15% to 16%, disappointing some investors.
U.S. Movers: Lennar
Scott Peters
17 Dec, 2025
New York City
Lennar Corp. decreased 4% to $112.98 after the Miami-based homebuilder reported weaker-than-estimated quarterly results and a lukewarm outlook for the current quarter.
Total revenues in the fiscal fourth quarter ending in November decreased to $9.4 billion from $9.9 billion, net earnings dropped to $497.9 million from $1.1 billion, and diluted earnings per share eased to $1.93 from $4.06 a year ago.
Lennar said new orders in the quarter increased 18% to $20,018, and the backlog was 13,936 homes worth $5.2 billion.
The home builder estimated home deliveries between 17,000 and 18,000 in the fiscal first quarter and a gross margin of 15% to 16%, disappointing some investors.