Market Update
Expectations of Supportive Policy Measures Lifted China Indexes, JD.com Repots Quarterly Loss
Li Chen
06 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong
Stock market indexes in China rebounded, defying an Asia-wide trend, as policymakers gathered for the annual session.
The Hang Seng Index increased 1.4%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged up 0.2% as investors held out for policy measures that could stimulate advance technology adoption.
China's so-called "Two Sessions," an annual gathering of the parliamentary body and policymakers, opened its deliberations earlier this week.
Policymakers lowered their annual economic growth target to between 4.5% and 5% and supported the rapid deployment of advanced technologies over tax incentives for consumers and businesses.
However, market sentiment remained subdued, and the Hang Seng Index cut its weekly losses to 2%, and the CSI 300 Index edged down 0.5%.
Global market sentiment has been waning over the last six weeks, reflecting investors' skepticism about the financial rewards from the elevated levels of investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The widening war in the Middle East has raised worries of a spike in global inflation because of a sharp rise in energy prices and disruption in trade and energy transportation routes.
Moreover, the US-Iran war shows no sign of easing, as Israel stepped up missile strikes on key targets in Iran, killing at least 165 school children earlier in the week.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index rose 1.4% to 25,739.49, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged up 0.2% to 4,656.75.
JD.com soared 8.6% to HK $105.30 after the e-commerce platform operator reported its latest financial results.
Net income in the fourth quarter swung to a loss of 2.7 billion yuan compared to a profit of 9.9 billion as the company offered severe discounts for its delivery services amid a price war with Alibaba and Meituan.
In addition, the weakening of consumer demand during the ending of the national subsidy program played a role in the quarter.
Revenue in the quarter increased 1.5% from a year ago to 352.3 billion yuan, and the company said its food delivery market share was 15% at the end of 2025 and set the target around one-third by the year's end.
Wall Street Stocks Struggled as Iran War Weighed On Market Sentiment
Barry Adams
05 Mar, 2026
New York City
Wall Street stocks headed lower in early trading on Thursday amid growing signs that the conflict in the Middle East is likely to drag on.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.3%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 0.4% as the U.S.-Iran conflict spreads to a wider region in the Middle East.
At least twelve nations in the region are involved in the latest military conflict, as Iran stepped up missile strikes at the U.S. assets and military bases in Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.
Crude oil prices rose 3% to $76.46 a barrel, and worries of global energy supply disruptions remained high following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz for the third consecutive session.
Iran's primitive and two-decade-old drones are managing to penetrate air defense covers in the UAE and Qatar, rapidly exhausting U.S. missile resources and straining relationships in the region.
So far, a barrage of attacks by Israel and the U.S., despite causing severe damage to Iran's military assets, has failed to dent Iran's ability to inflict severe pain on allies in the Middle East.
On the economic front, the weekly initial claims of jobless benefits are likely to confirm slow-hire and slow-fire labor conditions later today.
Investors are awaiting the release of quarterly results from Costco, Kroger, Burlington Stores, and Marvell Technology.
U.S. Movers
Broadcom advanced 7.4% to $341.05 after the advanced chip designer posted strong results for the fiscal first quarter ending on February 2, 2025.
Revenue jumped 29% to $19.3 billion from $14.9 billion, net income advanced 34% to $7.3 billion from $5.5 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.50 from $1.14 a year ago.
The company held its quarterly cash dividend at 65 cents, payable on March 31 to shareholders on record on March 23.
Broadcom estimated fiscal second quarter revenue to rise by 47% to $22 billion and announced a new stock repurchase program worth $10 billion.
Wall Street Stocks Struggled as Iran War Weighed On Market Sentiment
Barry Adams
05 Mar, 2026
New York City
Wall Street stocks headed lower in early trading on Thursday amid growing signs that the conflict in the Middle East is likely to drag on.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.3%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 0.4% as the U.S.-Iran conflict spreads to a wider region in the Middle East.
At least twelve nations in the region are involved in the latest military conflict, as Iran stepped up missile strikes at the U.S. assets and military bases in Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.
Crude oil prices rose 3% to $76.46 a barrel, and worries of global energy supply disruptions remained high following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz for the third consecutive session.
Iran's primitive and two-decade-old drones are managing to penetrate air defense covers in the UAE and Qatar, rapidly exhausting U.S. missile resources and straining relationships in the region.
So far, a barrage of attacks by Israel and the U.S., despite causing severe damage to Iran's military assets, has failed to dent Iran's ability to inflict severe pain on allies in the Middle East.
On the economic front, the weekly initial claims of jobless benefits are likely to confirm slow-hire and slow-fire labor conditions later today.
Investors are awaiting the release of quarterly results from Costco, Kroger, Burlington Stores, and Marvell Technology.
U.S. Movers
Broadcom advanced 7.4% to $341.05 after the advanced chip designer posted strong results for the fiscal first quarter ending on February 2, 2025.
Revenue jumped 29% to $19.3 billion from $14.9 billion, net income advanced 34% to $7.3 billion from $5.5 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.50 from $1.14 a year ago.
The company held its quarterly cash dividend at 65 cents, payable on March 31 to shareholders on record on March 23.
Broadcom estimated fiscal second quarter revenue to rise by 47% to $22 billion and announced a new stock repurchase program worth $10 billion.
Japan Indexes Recovered Led by Global Tech Rebound and BoJ Governor Comments
Akira Ito
05 Mar, 2026
Tokyo
Stocks in Japan advanced on Thursday, recovering losses from earlier in the week and supported by a tech-driven rebound in overnight trading in New York.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 1.9%, and the broader Topix Index soared 2.2% despite the Middle East conflict showing no signs of easing.
Brent crude oil prices jumped 3.1% to $83.95 a barrel as the U.S., Israel, and Iran stepped up airstrikes. Moreover, Saudi Arabia and the UAE declared war on Iran following several Iranian missile and drone strikes.
The conflict in the Middle East shows no signs of ending, and at least twelve nations are involved, including Jordan, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for the transport of energy products to Asia, remained closed for the third consecutive day as the bomb strikes raged on along the narrow pathway.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 1.9% to 55,276.61, and the broader TOPIX Index gained 2.2% to 3,712.29.
Nippon Yusen increased 2.2% to ¥5,511.0, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines gained 2.1% to ¥6,034.0, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha added 3.3% to ¥2,609.0.
Technology stocks led the market's advance in Tokyo after Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said escalating tensions in the Middle East could materially dent Japan's economy, indicating that policymakers may keep interest rates unchanged for a prolonged period of time.
SoftBank Group gained 4.2% to ¥3,864.0, Tokyo Electron added 2.5% to ¥41,720.0, and Lasertec Corp. gained 1.4% to ¥33,550.0.
Japan Indexes Recovered Led by Global Tech Rebound and BoJ Governor Comments
Akira Ito
05 Mar, 2026
Tokyo
Stocks in Japan advanced on Thursday, recovering losses from earlier in the week and supported by a tech-driven rebound in overnight trading in New York.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 1.9%, and the broader Topix Index soared 2.2% despite the Middle East conflict showing no signs of easing.
Brent crude oil prices jumped 3.1% to $83.95 a barrel as the U.S., Israel, and Iran stepped up airstrikes. Moreover, Saudi Arabia and the UAE declared war on Iran following several Iranian missile and drone strikes.
The conflict in the Middle East shows no signs of ending, and at least twelve nations are involved, including Jordan, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for the transport of energy products to Asia, remained closed for the third consecutive day as the bomb strikes raged on along the narrow pathway.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 1.9% to 55,276.61, and the broader TOPIX Index gained 2.2% to 3,712.29.
Nippon Yusen increased 2.2% to ¥5,511.0, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines gained 2.1% to ¥6,034.0, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha added 3.3% to ¥2,609.0.
Technology stocks led the market's advance in Tokyo after Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said escalating tensions in the Middle East could materially dent Japan's economy, indicating that policymakers may keep interest rates unchanged for a prolonged period of time.
SoftBank Group gained 4.2% to ¥3,864.0, Tokyo Electron added 2.5% to ¥41,720.0, and Lasertec Corp. gained 1.4% to ¥33,550.0.
China Indexes Attempted to Rebound Amid as Policymakers Set Growth Targets
Li Chen
05 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong
Stocks in China rebounded, tracking gains in overnight trading in New York, and crude oil prices extended their gains amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.8%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index advanced 1.3% as investors set aside worries of the U.S.-Iran conflict engulfing more nations in the region.
China's National People's Congress set the gross domestic product growth target for 2026 between 4.5% and 5.0% at the start of the annual parliamentary session in Beijing.
China's policymakers set a lower economic growth target as they shifted their focus to technological innovation and high-value-added activities.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.8% to 25,462.30, and the CSI 300 Index advanced 1.3% to 4,662.81.
Cosco Shipping Holdings increased 2.8% to HK $15.99, China Merchants Port Holdings advanced 2.6% to HK $17.15, and Overseas International gained 2.6% to HK $156.80.
China Indexes Attempted to Rebound Amid as Policymakers Set Growth Tar
Li Chen
05 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong
Stocks in China rebounded, tracking gains in overnight trading in New York, and crude oil prices extended their gains amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.8%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index advanced 1.3% as investors set aside worries of the U.S.-Iran conflict engulfing more nations in the region.
China's National People's Congress set the gross domestic product growth target for 2026 between 4.5% and 5.0% at the start of the annual parliamentary session in Beijing.
China's policymakers set a lower economic growth target as they shifted their focus to technological innovation and high-value-added activities.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.8% to 25,462.30, and the CSI 300 Index advanced 1.3% to 4,662.81.
Cosco Shipping Holdings increased 2.8% to HK $15.99, China Merchants Port Holdings advanced 2.6% to HK $17.15, and Overseas International gained 2.6% to HK $156.80.