Market Update
Japan Indexes Lacked Direction After US Launched Trade War with Major Partners
Akira Ito
05 Mar, 2025
Tokyo
Benchmark indexes in Japan lacked direction on Wednesday amid rising trade tensions with the U.S.
The Nikkei 225 stock average increased 0.3%, the broader TOPIX gained 0.25%, and the yen hovered at 149.69 against the U.S. dollar.
Market sentiment in Tokyo was cautious amid worries of additional U.S. tariffs on Japanese exports.
The U.S. launched a trade war by placing a 25% tariff on shipments from Mexico and Canada and 20% on goods from China.
The U.S. placed tariffs on three leading trade partners, and the White House threatened to place tariffs on shipments from Japan and the European Union.
The elevated trade tension kept market sentiment in check, and stocks of automobile makers, semiconductor equipment makers, and industrial companies led the decliners for the third day in a row.
The yen edged higher against the U.S. dollar amid rising speculation that the Bank of Japan will continue its rate-hike campaign and raise rates by at least 15 basis points at the end of the policy meeting later in the month.
The Au Jibun Bank Japan Services PMI was revised higher to 53.7 in February, up from a flash estimate of 53.1 and 53.0 in January, according to data released by S&P Global on Wednesday.
The service sector activities expanded for the fourth month in a row and rose to the highest level since August, driven by a surge in export orders.
Business sentiment remained positive amid expansion plans, but the degree of optimism eased to a four-month low.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.3% to 37,444.11, and the broader TOPIX advanced 0.3% to 2,720.09.
Yokogawa Electric rose 6.5% to ¥3,005.0, Furukawa Electric jumped 4.4% to ¥5,930.0, and Fujikura Ltd. soared 7.4% to ¥6,239.0.
Japan Indexes Lacked Direction After US Launched Trade War with Major Partners
Akira Ito
05 Mar, 2025
Tokyo
Benchmark indexes in Japan lacked direction on Wednesday amid rising trade tensions with the U.S.
The Nikkei 225 stock average increased 0.3%, the broader TOPIX gained 0.25%, and the yen hovered at 149.69 against the U.S. dollar.
Market sentiment in Tokyo was cautious amid worries of additional U.S. tariffs on Japanese exports.
The U.S. launched a trade war by placing a 25% tariff on shipments from Mexico and Canada and 20% on goods from China.
The U.S. placed tariffs on three leading trade partners, and the White House threatened to place tariffs on shipments from Japan and the European Union.
The elevated trade tension kept market sentiment in check, and stocks of automobile makers, semiconductor equipment makers, and industrial companies led the decliners for the third day in a row.
The yen edged higher against the U.S. dollar amid rising speculation that the Bank of Japan will continue its rate-hike campaign and raise rates by at least 15 basis points at the end of the policy meeting later in the month.
The Au Jibun Bank Japan Services PMI was revised higher to 53.7 in February, up from a flash estimate of 53.1 and 53.0 in January, according to data released by S&P Global on Wednesday.
The service sector activities expanded for the fourth month in a row and rose to the highest level since August, driven by a surge in export orders.
Business sentiment remained positive amid expansion plans, but the degree of optimism eased to a four-month low.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.3% to 37,444.11, and the broader TOPIX advanced 0.3% to 2,720.09.
Yokogawa Electric rose 6.5% to ¥3,005.0, Furukawa Electric jumped 4.4% to ¥5,930.0, and Fujikura Ltd. soared 7.4% to ¥6,239.0.
India Movers: BASF, Birla Corp, Everest Industries, GTL Ltd., Max Financial, Thermax, V-Mart Retail
Arun Goswami
05 Mar, 2025
Mumbai
Thermax Ltd. increased 0.6% to ₹3,230.15, and the engineering company reported a slight increase in revenue and a 45% decline in profit in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹2,539.3 crore from ₹2,382.7 crore, after-tax profit fell to ₹113.7 crore from ₹242.9 crore, and diluted earnings per share dropped to ₹10.29 from ₹21.17 a year ago.
V-Mart Retail Ltd. advanced 0.1% to ₹2,888.75 after the retailer reported a two-and-a-half-fold increase in earnings in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹1,030.1 crore from ₹902.1 crore, net income jumped to ₹71.6 crore from ₹28.2 crore, and diluted earnings per share rose to ₹35.82 from ₹14.20 a year ago.
Everest Industries Ltd. rose 1.5% to ₹504 despite the building materials manufacturer swinging to a loss in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹370.8 crore from ₹359.9 crore, after-tax losses swung to ₹11.85 crore from a profit of ₹1.5 crore, and diluted losses per share swung to ₹7.49 from a profit of 98 paisa a year ago.
Max Financial Services gained 0.2% to ₹1005.50 despite the financial management service provider reporting a 60% plunge from a year ago in quarterly profit.
Consolidated revenue declined to ₹8,927.4 crore from ₹12,359.2 crore, net income dropped to ₹69.8 crore from ₹171.2 crore, and diluted earnings per share fell to ₹1.62 from ₹4.30 a year ago.
BASF India Ltd. edged higher 2.3% to ₹4526.05 after the chemical maker reported a slight increase in revenue and a 26% decline in profit in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹3,777.7 crore from ₹3,352.7 crore, after-tax profit declined to ₹103.5 crore from ₹140 crore, and diluted earnings per share fell to ₹23.9 from ₹32.3 a year ago.
Birla Corporation Limited inched higher 1.6% to ₹965.50 after the cement and jute goods maker reported 71% drops in profit in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue decreased to ₹2,272.1 crore from ₹2,326.8 crore, net income dropped to ₹31.2 crore from ₹109.1 crore, and diluted earnings per share fell to ₹4.06 from ₹14.17 a year ago.
Sharda Motor Industries Ltd. rose 2.5% to ₹1610.05 after the company reported a slight increase in revenue and a marginal decline in net in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹710.9 crore from ₹710.8 crore, after-tax profit fell to ₹75.4 crore from ₹76 crore, and diluted earnings per share advanced to ₹25.63 from ₹25.55 a year ago.
GTL Ltd. jumped 4.1% to ₹8.71 after the network services company swung to a loss in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹51.23 crore from ₹46.1 crore, after-tax losses swung to ₹41.8 crore from a profit of ₹3.8 crore, and diluted losses per share swung to ₹2.66 from a profit of 24 paisa a year ago.
India Movers: BASF, Birla Corp, Everest Industries, GTL Ltd., Max Financial, Thermax, V-Mart Retail
Arun Goswami
05 Mar, 2025
Mumbai
Thermax Ltd. increased 0.6% to ₹3,230.15, and the engineering company reported a slight increase in revenue and a 45% decline in profit in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹2,539.3 crore from ₹2,382.7 crore, after-tax profit fell to ₹113.7 crore from ₹242.9 crore, and diluted earnings per share dropped to ₹10.29 from ₹21.17 a year ago.
V-Mart Retail Ltd. advanced 0.1% to ₹2,888.75 after the retailer reported a two-and-a-half-fold increase in earnings in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹1,030.1 crore from ₹902.1 crore, net income jumped to ₹71.6 crore from ₹28.2 crore, and diluted earnings per share rose to ₹35.82 from ₹14.20 a year ago.
Everest Industries Ltd. rose 1.5% to ₹504 despite the building materials manufacturer swinging to a loss in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹370.8 crore from ₹359.9 crore, after-tax losses swung to ₹11.85 crore from a profit of ₹1.5 crore, and diluted losses per share swung to ₹7.49 from a profit of 98 paisa a year ago.
Max Financial Services gained 0.2% to ₹1005.50 despite the financial management service provider reporting a 60% plunge from a year ago in quarterly profit.
Consolidated revenue declined to ₹8,927.4 crore from ₹12,359.2 crore, net income dropped to ₹69.8 crore from ₹171.2 crore, and diluted earnings per share fell to ₹1.62 from ₹4.30 a year ago.
BASF India Ltd. edged higher 2.3% to ₹4526.05 after the chemical maker reported a slight increase in revenue and a 26% decline in profit in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹3,777.7 crore from ₹3,352.7 crore, after-tax profit declined to ₹103.5 crore from ₹140 crore, and diluted earnings per share fell to ₹23.9 from ₹32.3 a year ago.
Birla Corporation Limited inched higher 1.6% to ₹965.50 after the cement and jute goods maker reported 71% drops in profit in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue decreased to ₹2,272.1 crore from ₹2,326.8 crore, net income dropped to ₹31.2 crore from ₹109.1 crore, and diluted earnings per share fell to ₹4.06 from ₹14.17 a year ago.
Sharda Motor Industries Ltd. rose 2.5% to ₹1610.05 after the company reported a slight increase in revenue and a marginal decline in net in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹710.9 crore from ₹710.8 crore, after-tax profit fell to ₹75.4 crore from ₹76 crore, and diluted earnings per share advanced to ₹25.63 from ₹25.55 a year ago.
GTL Ltd. jumped 4.1% to ₹8.71 after the network services company swung to a loss in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹51.23 crore from ₹46.1 crore, after-tax losses swung to ₹41.8 crore from a profit of ₹3.8 crore, and diluted losses per share swung to ₹2.66 from a profit of 24 paisa a year ago.
India Movers: BASF, Birla Corp, Everest Industries, GTL Ltd., Max Financial, Thermax, V-Mart Retail
Arun Goswami
05 Mar, 2025
Mumbai
Thermax Ltd. increased 0.6% to ₹3,230.15, and the engineering company reported a slight increase in revenue and a 45% decline in profit in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹2,539.3 crore from ₹2,382.7 crore, after-tax profit fell to ₹113.7 crore from ₹242.9 crore, and diluted earnings per share dropped to ₹10.29 from ₹21.17 a year ago.
V-Mart Retail Ltd. advanced 0.1% to ₹2,888.75 after the retailer reported a two-and-a-half-fold increase in earnings in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹1,030.1 crore from ₹902.1 crore, net income jumped to ₹71.6 crore from ₹28.2 crore, and diluted earnings per share rose to ₹35.82 from ₹14.20 a year ago.
Everest Industries Ltd. rose 1.5% to ₹504 despite the building materials manufacturer swinging to a loss in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹370.8 crore from ₹359.9 crore, after-tax losses swung to ₹11.85 crore from a profit of ₹1.5 crore, and diluted losses per share swung to ₹7.49 from a profit of 98 paisa a year ago.
Max Financial Services gained 0.2% to ₹1005.50 despite the financial management service provider reporting a 60% plunge from a year ago in quarterly profit.
Consolidated revenue declined to ₹8,927.4 crore from ₹12,359.2 crore, net income dropped to ₹69.8 crore from ₹171.2 crore, and diluted earnings per share fell to ₹1.62 from ₹4.30 a year ago.
BASF India Ltd. edged higher 2.3% to ₹4526.05 after the chemical maker reported a slight increase in revenue and a 26% decline in profit in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹3,777.7 crore from ₹3,352.7 crore, after-tax profit declined to ₹103.5 crore from ₹140 crore, and diluted earnings per share fell to ₹23.9 from ₹32.3 a year ago.
Birla Corporation Limited inched higher 1.6% to ₹965.50 after the cement and jute goods maker reported 71% drops in profit in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue decreased to ₹2,272.1 crore from ₹2,326.8 crore, net income dropped to ₹31.2 crore from ₹109.1 crore, and diluted earnings per share fell to ₹4.06 from ₹14.17 a year ago.
Sharda Motor Industries Ltd. rose 2.5% to ₹1610.05 after the company reported a slight increase in revenue and a marginal decline in net in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹710.9 crore from ₹710.8 crore, after-tax profit fell to ₹75.4 crore from ₹76 crore, and diluted earnings per share advanced to ₹25.63 from ₹25.55 a year ago.
GTL Ltd. jumped 4.1% to ₹8.71 after the network services company swung to a loss in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹51.23 crore from ₹46.1 crore, after-tax losses swung to ₹41.8 crore from a profit of ₹3.8 crore, and diluted losses per share swung to ₹2.66 from a profit of 24 paisa a year ago.
China Targets Ambitious 5% Annual Growth Target, CK Hutchison Sell Panama Ports
Li Chen
05 Mar, 2025
Hong Kong
Benchmark indexes in China and Hong Kong advanced, and investors reviewed the annual targets set by lawmakers at the annual gathering.
The Hang Seng index soared 1.7%, and the broader CSI 300 index gained 0.3%, amid cautious optimism about additional fiscal measures to support economic growth and consumer confidence.
Premier Li Qiang set an annual economic growth target of around 5% and lifted the budget deficit goal of 4%, higher than the long-standing 3% level.
The economic growth rate confirmed the government's resolve in keeping the economy expanding despite the U.S. tariffs and rising trade barriers.
Investors are hoping that the People's Bank of China will provide additional monetary stimulus, as the ambitious economic growth target may need more support from increased lending by banks to consumers and businesses.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index soared 1.7% to 23,320.36, and the broader CSI 300 index advanced 0.3% to 3,897.79.
CK Hutchison Holdings soared 21% to HK $46.85, and the company agreed to sell 43 ports around the world, including 2 in Panama, for $23 billion to a consortium.
A group of investors led by BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners, and Terminal Investment Ltd. will acquire an 80% stake in Hutchison Ports Group.
The Hong Kong-based diversified conglomerate agreed to sell its 90% stake in two ports in Panama after the White House stepped up pressure to regain control of U.S. trade routes.
The consortium led by the U.S. and Swiss investors will acquire a total of 43 ports with 199 berths in 23 countries.
The deal does not include ports controlled by the group in Hong Kong and China.
China Targets Ambitious 5% Annual Growth Target, CK Hutchison Sell Panama Ports
Li Chen
05 Mar, 2025
Hong Kong
Benchmark indexes in China and Hong Kong advanced, and investors reviewed the annual targets set by lawmakers at the annual gathering.
The Hang Seng index soared 1.7%, and the broader CSI 300 index gained 0.3%, amid cautious optimism about additional fiscal measures to support economic growth and consumer confidence.
Premier Li Qiang set an annual economic growth target of around 5% and lifted the budget deficit goal of 4%, higher than the long-standing 3% level.
The economic growth rate confirmed the government's resolve in keeping the economy expanding despite the U.S. tariffs and rising trade barriers.
Investors are hoping that the People's Bank of China will provide additional monetary stimulus, as the ambitious economic growth target may need more support from increased lending by banks to consumers and businesses.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index soared 1.7% to 23,320.36, and the broader CSI 300 index advanced 0.3% to 3,897.79.
CK Hutchison Holdings soared 21% to HK $46.85, and the company agreed to sell 43 ports around the world, including 2 in Panama, for $23 billion to a consortium.
A group of investors led by BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners, and Terminal Investment Ltd. will acquire an 80% stake in Hutchison Ports Group.
The Hong Kong-based diversified conglomerate agreed to sell its 90% stake in two ports in Panama after the White House stepped up pressure to regain control of U.S. trade routes.
The consortium led by the U.S. and Swiss investors will acquire a total of 43 ports with 199 berths in 23 countries.
The deal does not include ports controlled by the group in Hong Kong and China.