Market Update
Japan Explores Future with Less Reliance On U.S. Markets and
Akira Ito
11 Jul, 2025
Tokyo
Stocks in Tokyo struggled to advance amid escalating trade tensions with the U.S. and persistent worries about the domestic economic growth outlook.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average eased 0.1% and extended weekly loss to 0.2%, and the Topix index edged higher 0.5% and extended weekly gain to 0.3%.
The U.S. president announced a 25% tariff on Japanese goods effective August 1 and targeted Brazil, Canada, and the European Union with renewed threats of higher import duties.
Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reiterated his stance against the additional tariff and signaled the need to reduce reliance on the U.S. for exports and defense.
After nearly three months, bilateral negotiations between Japan and the U.S. have remained inconclusive and yielded no results, and investors are worried that the prolonged talks could hamper Japan's exports to the U.S.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 0.1% to 39,624.01, and the Topix added 0.5% to 2,827.22.
Technology stocks led Friday's market advance, reflecting ongoing strength in overnight trading in New York.
Tokyo Electron Ltd. increased 0.9% to ¥26,990.0, Advantest Corp. gained 0.8% to ¥11,340.0, and Disco Corp. edged up 1% to ¥43,430.0.
Shipping companies were in focus after Houthi attacks sank a Greek cargo ship in the Red Sea this week, doubling the insurance for ocean transport carriers.
Nippon Yusen KK inched higher 1.5% to ¥5,177.0, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. gained 1.7% to ¥4,790.0, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. advanced 1.5% to ¥2,045.0.
China Indexes Extend Weekly Gains to 2% Amid Hopes of Stimulus and Earnings Growth
Li Chen
11 Jul, 2025
Hong Kong
Stocks in Hong Kong and mainland China advanced on Friday and extended weekly gains amid hopes of improved earnings and policy support.
The Hang Seng index gained more than 1.5%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index advanced more than 1%, amid expectations of improving earnings in the manufacturing sector and Internet-based platform operators.
For the week, the Hang Seng index gained 2.2% and the CSI index advanced to 2.7%, and the benchmark indexes reached new three-month highs.
Investors moved on from constantly changing U.S. trade policy and arbitrary threats from the U.S. president.
The key U.S. trade partners—China, Japan, the European Union, Canada, and Mexico—have resisted aggressive import taxes announced by the Trump administration.
But the ensuing business uncertainty has disrupted international trade and roiled global financial markets.
Investors in China are dialing down expectations for economic growth in the second half, as exporters face headwinds and reduced profitability.
Investors are hoping that a Politburo meeting later in the month may provide additional fiscal stimulus, but for now policymakers are resisting the move.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index increased 1.6% to 24,408.41, and the CSI 300 index rose 1.1% to 4,053.58.
China Mengniu Dairy Company Ltd. jumped 3.5% to HK$16.48 after the company confirmed it repurchased HK$6.35 million worth of its shares on Thursday.
Alibaba Group Holding advanced 3.3% to HK $106.70, Tencent Holding 1.5% to HK $505.00, and Meituan edged down 1.2% to HK $122.40.
China Indexes Extend Weekly Gains to 2% Amid Hopes of Stimulus and Earnings Growth
Li Chen
11 Jul, 2025
Hong Kong
Stocks in Hong Kong and mainland China advanced on Friday and extended weekly gains amid hopes of improved earnings and policy support.
The Hang Seng index gained more than 1.5%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index advanced more than 1%, amid expectations of improving earnings in the manufacturing sector and Internet-based platform operators.
For the week, the Hang Seng index and the CSI index advanced to new three-month highs as investors moved on from constantly changing U.S. trade policy and arbitrary threats from the U.S. president.
The key U.S. trade partners—China, Japan, the European Union, Canada, and Mexico—have resisted aggressive import taxes announced by the Trump administration.
But the ensuing business uncertainty has disrupted international trade and roiled global financial markets.
Investors in China are dialing down expectations for economic growth in the second half, as exporters face headwinds and reduced profitability.
Investors are hoping that a Politburo meeting later in the month may provide additional fiscal stimulus, but for now policymakers are resisting the move.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index increased 1.6% to 24,408.41, and the CSI 300 index rose 1.1% to 4,053.58.
China Mengniu Dairy Company Ltd. jumped 3.5% to HK$16.48 after the company confirmed it repurchased HK$6.35 million worth of its shares on Thursday.
Alibaba Group Holding advanced 3.3% to HK $106.70, Tencent Holding 1.5% to HK $505.00, and Meituan edged down 1.2% to HK $122.40.
China FRIDAY
Li Chen
11 Jul, 2025
Hong Kong
Stocks in Hong Kong and mainland China advanced on Friday, and extended weekly gains amid hopes of improved earnings and policy support.
The Hang Seng index gained more than 1.5%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index advanced more than 1%, amid expectations of improving earnings in the manufacturing sector and Internet-based platform operators.
For the week, the Hang Seng index and the CSI index advanced to new three-month highs as investors moved on from constantly changing U.S. trade policy and arbitrary threats from the U.S. president.
The key U.S. trade partners - China, Japan, the European Union, Canada, and Mexico - have resisted aggressive import taxes announced by the Trump administration.
But the ensuing business uncertainty has disrupted international traded and roiled global financial markets.
Investors in China are dialing down expectations for economic growth in the second half, as exporters face headwinds and reduced profitability.
Investors are hoping that a Politburo meeting later in the month may provide additional fiscal stimulus, but for now policymakers are resisting the move.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index increased 1.6% to 24,408.41, and the CSI 300 index rose 1.1% to 4,053.58.
China Mengniu Dairy Company Ltd. jumped 3.5% to HK $16.48 after the company confirmed it repurchased HK$6.35 million worth of its own shares on Thursday.
Alibaba Group Holding advanced 3.3% to HK $106.70, Tencent Holding 1.5% to HK $505.00, and Meituan edged down 1.2% to HK $122.40.
Traders In New York Overlook New and Expanding Tariff Threats
Barry Adams
10 Jul, 2025
New York City
Stocks in New York fluctuated around the flatline, and investors awaited the start of earnings season next week.
The S&P 500 index edged down 0.1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite inched higher 0.2%, following a rebound in the previous session.
Investors are increasingly looking beyond the ongoing Trump administration's efforts to prolong the trade negotiations with key trading partners.
The latest combination of threats to Japan and South Korea and a new wave of sector-specific tariffs did little to sway the market's opinion about the U.S. president: "Trump always chickens out."
Trump announced a 50% tariff on imported copper and slapped a 50% tariff on Brazil, largely in retaliation for the current trial against the former president Jair Bolsonaro for his role in an alleged plot to overturn his loss in the 2022 presidential election.
U.S. Stock Movers
Delta Air Lines jumped 13.1% to $57.33 after the company reinstated its 2025 earnings outlook.
The international carrier said full-year earnings per share are expected to range between $5.35 and $6.25, and estimated cash flow between $3 billion and $4 billion.
Bassett Furniture Industries incorporated gained 7.4% to $18.27 after the furniture maker’s net income swung to a profit in the fiscal second quarter.
Consolidated revenue in the quarter inched higher to $84.3 million from $83.4 million, net income swung to a profit of $1.9 million from a loss of $7.2 million, and diluted income per share swung to a profit of 22 cents from a loss of 82 cents a year ago.
For the fiscal year 2025, revenue decreased to $166.5 million from $170 million, net income swung to a profit of $3.7 million from a loss of $8.3 million, and diluted income per share swung to a profit of 43 cents from a loss of 96 cents a year ago.
Traders In New York Overlook New and Expanding Tariff Threats
Barry Adams
10 Jul, 2025
New York City
Stocks in New York fluctuated around the flatline, and investors awaited the start of earnings season next week.
The S&P 500 index edged down 0.1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite inched higher 0.2%, following a rebound in the previous session.
Investors are increasingly looking beyond the ongoing Trump administration's efforts to prolong the trade negotiations with key trading partners.
The latest combination of threats to Japan and South Korea and a new wave of sector-specific tariffs did little to sway the market's opinion about the U.S. president: "Trump always chickens out."
Trump announced a 50% tariff on imported copper and slapped a 50% tariff on Brazil, largely in retaliation for the current trial against the former president Jair Bolsonaro for his role in an alleged plot to overturn his loss in the 2022 presidential election.
U.S. Stock Movers
Delta Air Lines jumped 13.1% to $57.33 after the company reinstated its 2025 earnings outlook.
The international carrier said full-year earnings per share are expected to range between $5.35 and $6.25, and estimated cash flow between $3 billion and $4 billion.
Bassett Furniture Industries incorporated gained 7.4% to $18.27 after the furniture maker’s net income swung to a profit in the fiscal second quarter.
Consolidated revenue in the quarter inched higher to $84.3 million from $83.4 million, net income swung to a profit of $1.9 million from a loss of $7.2 million, and diluted income per share swung to a profit of 22 cents from a loss of 82 cents a year ago.
For the fiscal year 2025, revenue decreased to $166.5 million from $170 million, net income swung to a profit of $3.7 million from a loss of $8.3 million, and diluted income per share swung to a profit of 43 cents from a loss of 96 cents a year ago.