Weakness In Yen Supports Japan's Indexes at New Record Highs

Akira Ito
25 Feb, 2026
Tokyo

Benchmark indexes in Japan advanced and reached new record highs, and the Japanese yen weakened. 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average soared more than 2%, the broader Topix Index gained 0.7%, and the yen weakened to 156.20 against the U.S. dollar. 

The rebound in tech stocks in overnight trading on Wall Street supported the rise in Japan's indexes, and the weakening yen contributed to the advance. 

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed concerns over a potential rise in interest rates in a meeting last week with Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda. 

Moreover, Takaichi nominated two academics, who favor a slower rise in interest rates, to the policy board, supporting the view that the central bank will take a cautious approach to additional rate increases. 

Japan Indexes and Stocks 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average soared 2.2% to 58,583.12, and the broader Topix Index added 0.7% to 3,843.16.  

Technology and AI-related stocks led gainers in Tokyo.

Advantest Corp. gained 7.5% to ¥28,615.0, Disco Corp. increased 5.8% to ¥80,000.0, and Tokyo Electron added 4.3% to ¥46,230.0.

Weakness In Yen Supports Japan's Indexes at New Record Highs

Akira Ito
25 Feb, 2026
Tokyo

Benchmark indexes in Japan advanced and reached new record highs, and the Japanese yen weakened. 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average soared more than 2%, the broader Topix Index gained 0.7%, and the yen weakened to 156.20 against the U.S. dollar. 

The rebound in tech stocks in overnight trading on Wall Street supported the rise in Japan's indexes, and the weakening yen contributed to the advance. 

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed concerns over a potential rise in interest rates in a meeting last week with Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda. 

Moreover, Takaichi nominated two academics, who favor a slower rise in interest rates, to the policy board, supporting the view that the central bank will take a cautious approach to additional rate increases. 

Japan Indexes and Stocks 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average soared 2.2% to 58,583.12, and the broader Topix Index added 0.7% to 3,843.16.  

Technology and AI-related stocks led gainers in Tokyo.

Advantest Corp. gained 7.5% to ¥28,615.0, Disco Corp. increased 5.8% to ¥80,000.0, and Tokyo Electron added 4.3% to ¥46,230.0.

China Indexes Rebounded Amid Easing AI Disruption Worries, HSBC Net Income Declined 7%

Li Chen
25 Feb, 2026
Hong Kong

Benchmark indexes in China rebounded as worries surrounding artificial intelligence stocks eased. 

The Hang Seng Index increased 0.7%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index advanced 0.9% as tech stocks led gainers. 

Market sentiment recovered amid easing worries surrounding AI disruption, and semiconductor and tech platform operators led gainers in Hong Kong and in Shanghai. 

Gold and silver traded higher amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran and sustained buying by central banks and retail investors in China and India. 

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67. 

HSBC Holdings increased 3.1% to HK $139.50 and reported higher-than-expected annual profit in 2025. 

Net income decreased 7% to $22.92 billion from $32.3 billion, and diluted earnings per share eased to $1.21. 

The decline in profit was widely anticipated after the bank set aside $1.0 billion for restructuring charges to cover charges related to the Bernard Madoff scandal and bad debts linked to commercial real estate in Hong Kong.

The company announced a final dividend of 45 cents per share, totaling an annual payment of 75 cents compared to 87 cents a year ago. 

In January, HSBC finalized its purchase of its subsidiary Hang Seng Bank for $14 billion and announced its decision to suspend its stock repurchase program for three quarters.

China WED

Li Chen
25 Feb, 2026
Hong Kong

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67. 

China WED

Li Chen
25 Feb, 2026
Hong Kong

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67. 

China WED

Li Chen
25 Feb, 2026
Hong Kong

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67. 

China WED

Li Chen
25 Feb, 2026
Hong Kong

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67. 

China WED

Li Chen
25 Feb, 2026
Hong Kong

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67. 

China Indexes Rebounded Amid Easing AI Disruption Worries, HSBC Net Income Declined 7%

Li Chen
25 Feb, 2026
Hong Kong

Benchmark indexes in China rebounded as worries surrounding artificial intelligence stocks eased. 

The Hang Seng Index increased 0.7%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index advanced 0.9% as tech stocks led gainers. 

Market sentiment recovered amid easing worries surrounding AI disruption, and semiconductor and tech platform operators led gainers in Hong Kong and in Shanghai. 

Gold and silver traded higher amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran and sustained buying by central banks and retail investors in China and India. 

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67. 

HSBC Holdings increased 3.1% to HK $139.50 and reported higher-than-expected annual profit in 2025. 

Net income decreased 7% to $22.92 billion from $32.3 billion, and diluted earnings per share eased to $1.21. 

The decline in profit was widely anticipated after the bank set aside $1.0 billion for restructuring charges to cover charges related to the Bernard Madoff scandal and bad debts linked to commercial real estate in Hong Kong.

The company announced a final dividend of 45 cents per share, totaling an annual payment of 75 cents compared to 87 cents a year ago. 

In January, HSBC finalized its purchase of its subsidiary Hang Seng Bank for $14 billion and announced its decision to suspend its stock repurchase program for three quarters.

China WED

Li Chen
25 Feb, 2026
Hong Kong

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67. 

China WED

Li Chen
25 Feb, 2026
Hong Kong

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67. 

China WED

Li Chen
25 Feb, 2026
Hong Kong

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67. 

China WED

Li Chen
25 Feb, 2026
Hong Kong

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67. 

China WED

Li Chen
25 Feb, 2026
Hong Kong

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67. 

China WED

Li Chen
25 Feb, 2026
Hong Kong

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67.