Market Update
Japan Stock Indexes and Bond Yields Held Steady Amid Stalled Trade Talks With U.S.
Akira Ito
03 Jul, 2025
Tokyo
Japan's stock market indexes wavered around the flatline as investors looked forward to a possible trade agreement with the U.S.
Investors have been cautiously optimistic about a possible trade deal with the U.S., but both sides struggle to find common ground.
Japan has been resisting additional duties of 25% on vehicle and parts exports, and negotiators have been reluctant to relax barriers to rice imports.
The Vietnam-U.S. agreement raised hopes that a deal could be struck as early as next week before the July 9 deadline imposed by the U.S. negotiators.
Vietnam agreed to a 20% import duty on manufactured goods and a 40% rate on transshipped goods to the U.S. and to drop all import duties on U.S. exports.
After the agreement, import duty on Vietnamese goods rises to 20% from the current 10%, but less than the threatened 46%.
However, trade experts cautioned that the deal lacks clarity about the implementation plan on transshipped goods and non-tariff barriers on U.S. imports.
On the economic front, the au Jibun Bank Japan Services PMI was revised higher to 51.7 from the preliminary estimate of 51.5 in June.
The services sector expanded for the third consecutive month, driven by an increase in new orders and a modest rebound in exports.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average edged down 0.03% to 39,756.31, and the broader Topix fell 0.1% to 2,824.84.
The yen held near 145.83 against the dollar and the yield on 10-year Japanese government bond traded above 1.45% amid growing optimism over trade negotiations with the U.S.
Technology and electronics companies dominated in Tokyo trading.
Socionext Inc. jumped 3.2% to ¥2,756.50, Fujikura Ltd. gained 1.7% to ¥2,756.50, and Tokyo Electron advanced 1.5% to ¥26,995.0.
Nintendo Co. Ltd. increased 1.1% to ¥26,995.0, Sony Group Corp. decreased 0.7% to ¥3,649.0, and Sega Sammy Holdings Inc. declined 2.3% to ¥3,304.0.
Honda Motor Co. Ltd. rose 2.2% to ¥1,452.0, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. gained 5.9% to ¥362.90, and Toyota Motor Corp. increased 2.1% to ¥2,518.50.
China Indexes Traded Down Amid Worries of Higher Hurdles for U.S. Exports
Li Chen
03 Jul, 2025
Hong Kong
Stocks in China and Hong Kong faced headwinds as investors feared higher hurdles for Chinese exports to the U.S.
The Hang Seng index declined by more than 1%, while the mainland-focused index fluctuated around the flatline.
Market sentiment soured after the U.S. struck a preliminary trade agreement with Vietnam that increases import tax to 20% on most shipments.
Transshipped goods from China will face a higher duty of 40%, raising fears that the Trump administration is targeting China.
Trade negotiators are signaling that the Chinese goods shipped through Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand are likely to face similar punitive import taxes.
Economists are still holding out for the Chinese economy to expand by 5%, the target set by the central government, but export-linked companies may face serious business disruptions in the second half.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index decreased 1.1% to 23,970.64, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index edged up 0.5% to 3,962.33.
Smartphone and electric vehicle makers traded down amid worries of higher import barriers to the U.S.
Xiaomi Corp. decreased 4.4% to HK $57.50, Li Auto Inc. declined 1.2% to HK $102.20, BYD gained 1.2% to HK $123.10, and Xpeng Inc. edged up 0.8% to $72.90.
Internet platform operators declined after Alibaba Group announced an incentive program to attract merchants and users.
Alibaba Group Holding declined 1.5% to HK $105.50, Tencent Holdings Ltd. fell 0.5% to HK $499.0, JD.com Inc. decreased 1.6% to HK $125.90, and Meituan dropped 2.4% to HK $122.90.
China Indexes Traded Down Amid Worries of Higher Hurdles for U.S. Exports
Li Chen
03 Jul, 2025
Hong Kong
Stocks in China and Hong Kong faced headwinds as investors feared higher hurdles for Chinese exports to the U.S.
The Hang Seng index declined by more than 1%, while the mainland-focused index fluctuated around the flatline.
Market sentiment soured after the U.S. struck a preliminary trade agreement with Vietnam that increases import tax to 20% on most shipments.
Transshipped goods from China will face a higher duty of 40%, raising fears that the Trump administration is targeting China.
Trade negotiators are signaling that the Chinese goods shipped through Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand are likely to face similar punitive import taxes.
Economists are still holding out for the Chinese economy to expand by 5%, the target set by the central government, but export-linked companies may face serious business disruptions in the second half.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index decreased 1.1% to 23,970.64, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index edged up 0.5% to 3,962.33.
Smartphone and electric vehicle makers traded down amid worries of higher import barriers to the U.S.
Xiaomi Corp. decreased 4.4% to HK $57.50, Li Auto Inc. declined 1.2% to HK $102.20, BYD gained 1.2% to HK $123.10, and Xpeng Inc. edged up 0.8% to $72.90.
Internet platform operators declined after Alibaba Group announced an incentive program to attract merchants and users.
Alibaba Group Holding declined 1.5% to HK $105.50, Tencent Holdings Ltd. fell 0.5% to HK $499.0, JD.com Inc. decreased 1.6% to HK $125.90, and Meituan dropped 2.4% to HK $122.90.