Japan's Indexes Scaled New Peaks, Producer Price Inflation Edged Higher

Akira Ito
11 Sep, 2025
Tokyo

Japan's indexes advanced for the second consecutive day this week, and investors reviewed the latest update on business sentiment. 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.8%, but the broader Topix decreased 0.2% in cautious trading amid worries about the constantly changing U.S. trade policy. 

The U.S. president is looking to impose outsized tariffs on drugs imported from China, and the White House may target pharma shipments from Japan, India, and the European Union.

The worries about the never-ending changes to the U.S. policy were compounded by the legal status of sweeping import taxes after two U.S. court rulings.

Japan's Business Sentiment Index Rebounded in Third Quarter

Closer to home, Japan's Business Survey Index for large manufacturing firms rebounded to 3.8% in the third quarter, said the Cabinet Office on Thursday. 

The index, which acts as a key measure of economic health, rebounded from -4.8% in the previous quarter and returned to positive territory in three quarters. 

The sentiment improved after U.S. businesses front-loaded ahead of the newly imposed 15% blanket tariffs. 

Large manufacturers held out for the continued improvement in the business environment, and the index for the fourth quarter improved to 3.9%, but edged lower to 3.3% for the first quarter of 2026.

Japan's Producer Price Inflation Accelerated in August

Japan's producer price inflation edged higher in August amid accelerating prices in transportation equipment, general-purpose machinery, and food products.

The annual increase in the producer price index accelerated to 2.7% from the marginally revised 2.5% in the previous month, the Cabinet Office reported Thursday. 

The price inflation for foods and beverages accelerated to 5.0% from 4.7%, general-purpose machinery rose to 4.0% from 3.7%, and transportation equipment edged up to 2.0% from 1.8%. 

However, on a monthly basis prices decreased 0.2%, following an upwardly revised 0.3% increase in July.

Japan Indexes and Stocks 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average added 0.8% to 44,175.51, and the broader Topix fell 0.2% to 3,136.53. 

Toyota Motor decreased 1.3% to ¥2,876.50, Honda Motor declined 0.9% to ¥1,651.0, and Nissan Motor edged 0.4% to ¥356.20. 

Nippon Yusen KK decreased 0.1% to ¥5,590.0, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. fell 0.8% to ¥4,840.0, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. fell 0.2% to ¥2,327.50. 

Japan's Indexes Scaled New Peaks, Producer Price Inflation Edged Higher

Akira Ito
11 Sep, 2025
Tokyo

Japan's indexes advanced for the second consecutive day this week, and investors reviewed the latest update on business sentiment. 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.8%, but the broader Topix decreased 0.2% in cautious trading amid worries about the constantly changing U.S. trade policy. 

The U.S. president is looking to impose outsized tariffs on drugs imported from China, and the White House may target pharma shipments from Japan, India, and the European Union.

The worries about the never-ending changes to the U.S. policy were compounded by the legal status of sweeping import taxes after two U.S. court rulings.

Japan's Business Sentiment Index Rebounded in Third Quarter

Closer to home, Japan's Business Survey Index for large manufacturing firms rebounded to 3.8% in the third quarter, said the Cabinet Office on Thursday. 

The index, which acts as a key measure of economic health, rebounded from -4.8% in the previous quarter and returned to positive territory in three quarters. 

The sentiment improved after U.S. businesses front-loaded ahead of the newly imposed 15% blanket tariffs. 

Large manufacturers held out for the continued improvement in the business environment, and the index for the fourth quarter improved to 3.9%, but edged lower to 3.3% for the first quarter of 2026.

Japan's Producer Price Inflation Accelerated in August

Japan's producer price inflation edged higher in August amid accelerating prices in transportation equipment, general-purpose machinery, and food products.

The annual increase in the producer price index accelerated to 2.7% from the marginally revised 2.5% in the previous month, the Cabinet Office reported Thursday. 

The price inflation for foods and beverages accelerated to 5.0% from 4.7%, general-purpose machinery rose to 4.0% from 3.7%, and transportation equipment edged up to 2.0% from 1.8%. 

However, on a monthly basis prices decreased 0.2%, following an upwardly revised 0.3% increase in July.

Japan Indexes and Stocks 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average added 0.8% to 44,175.51, and the broader Topix fell 0.2% to 3,136.53. 

Toyota Motor decreased 1.3% to ¥2,876.50, Honda Motor declined 0.9% to ¥1,651.0, and Nissan Motor edged 0.4% to ¥356.20. 

Nippon Yusen KK decreased 0.1% to ¥5,590.0, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. fell 0.8% to ¥4,840.0, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. fell 0.2% to ¥2,327.50. 

Japan's Indexes Scaled New Peaks,

Akira Ito
11 Sep, 2025
Tokyo

Japan's indexes advanced for the second consecutive day this week, and investors reviewed the latest update on business sentiment. 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.8%, but the broader Topix decreased 0.2% in cautious trading amid worries about the constantly changing U.S. trade policy. 

The U.S. president is looking to impose outsized tariffs on drugs imported from China, and the White House may target pharma shipments from Japan, India, and the European Union.

The worries about the never-ending changes to the U.S. policy were compounded by the legal status of sweeping import taxes after two U.S. court rulings.

Japan's Business Sentiment Index Rebounded in Third Quarter

Closer to home, Japan's Business Survey Index for large manufacturing firms rebounded to 3.8% in the third quarter, said the Cabinet Office on Thursday. 

The index, which acts as a key measure of economic health, rebounded from -4.8% in the previous quarter and returned to positive territory in three quarters. 

The sentiment improved after U.S. businesses front-loaded ahead of the newly imposed 15% blanket tariffs. 

Large manufacturers held out for the continued improvement in the business environment, and the index for the fourth quarter improved to 3.9%, but edged lower to 3.3% for the first quarter of 2026.

Japan's Producer Price Inflation Accelerated in August

Japan's producer price inflation edged higher in August amid accelerating prices in transportation equipment, general-purpose machinery, and food products.

The annual increase in the producer price index accelerated to 2.7% from the marginally revised 2.5% in the previous month, the Cabinet Office reported Thursday. 

The price inflation for foods and beverages accelerated to 5.0% from 4.7%, general-purpose machinery rose to 4.0% from 3.7%, and transportation equipment edged up to 2.0% from 1.8%. 

However, on a monthly basis prices decreased 0.2%, following an upwardly revised 0.3% increase in July.

Japan Indexes and Stocks 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average added 0.8% to 44,175.51, and the broader Topix fell 0.2% to 3,136.53. 

Toyota Motor decreased 1.3% to ¥2,876.50, Honda Motor declined 0.9% to ¥1,651.0, and Nissan Motor edged 0.4% to ¥356.20. 

Nippon Yusen KK decreased 0.1% to ¥5,590.0, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. fell 0.8% to ¥4,840.0, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. fell 0.2% to ¥2,327.50. 

Japan's Indexes Scaled New Highs, Producer Price Inflation Edged Higher

Akira Ito
11 Sep, 2025
Tokyo

Japan's indexes advanced for the second consecutive day this week, and investors reviewed the latest update on business sentiment. 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.8%, but the broader Topix decreased 0.2% in cautious trading amid worries about the constantly changing U.S. trade policy. 

The U.S. president is looking to impose outsized tariffs on drugs imported from China, and the White House may target pharma shipments from Japan, India, and the European Union.

The worries about the never-ending changes to the U.S. policy were compounded by the legal status of sweeping import taxes after two U.S. court rulings.

Japan's Business Sentiment Index Rebounded In Third Quarter

Closer to home, Japan's Business Survey Index for large manufacturing firms rebounded to 3.8% in the third quarter, said the Cabinet Office on Thursday. 

The index, which acts as a key measure of economic health, rebounded from -4.8% in the previous quarter and returned to positive territory in three quarters. 

The sentiment improved after U.S. businesses front-loaded ahead of the newly imposed 15% blanket tariffs. 

Large manufacturers held out for the continued improvement in the business environment, and the index for the fourth quarter improved to 3.9%, but edged lower to 3.3% for the first quarter of 2026.

Japan's Producer Price Inflation Accelerated In August

Japan's producer price inflation edged higher in August amid accelerating prices in transportation equipment, general-purpose machinery, and food products.

The annual increase in the producer price index accelerated to 2.7% from the marginally revised 2.5% in the previous month, the Cabinet Office reported Thursday. 

The price inflation for foods and beverages accelerated to 5.0% from 4.7%, general-purpose machinery rose to 4.0% from 3.7%, and transportation equipment edged up to 2.0% from 1.8%. 

However, on a monthly basis prices decreased 0.2%, following an upwardly revised 0.3% increase in July.

Japan Indexes and Stocks 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average added 0.8% to 44,175.51, and the broader Topix fell 0.2% to 3,136.53. 

Toyota Motor decreased 1.3% to ¥2,876.50, Honda Motor declined 0.9% to ¥1,651.0, and Nissan Motor edged 0.4% to ¥356.20. 

Nippon Yusen KK decreased 0.1% to ¥5,590.0, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. fell 0.8% to ¥4,840.0, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. fell 0.2% to ¥2,327.50. 

Investor Optimism Supports China Indexes Near Multi-Year Highs

Li Chen
11 Sep, 2025
Hong Kong

Stock market indexes in Hong Kong came under pressure but in mainland China advanced. 

The Hang Seng index decreased 0.4%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 soared more than 1.5% amid worries about constantly changing U.S. trade policy. 

Mainland investors held out for additional monetary and fiscal stimulus amid recent mixed economic data on inflation, fixed-asset investments, residential housing, and labor markets.

The liquidity-driven rally over the last four months hit the wall last week as investors reassessed the earnings growth outlook following a string of weaker-than-expected corporate results.

Despite the elevated trade tensions between the U.S. and China, foreign investors have been pouring money into Chinese stocks trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. 

The steady flow of foreign funds supported by the sustained investment from state-controlled banks and retail investors has lifted China's benchmark indexes to multi-year highs. 

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.4% to 26,098.09, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index soared 1.8% to 4,524.16. 

Pharmaceutical makers came under pressure amid speculation that the U.S. president is likely to impose additional tariffs and barriers for drugs made in China. 

Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd. decreased 5.4% to HK$8.30, WuXi Biologics declined 4.3% to HK$35.98, and CSPC Pharmaceutical Group dropped 8% to HK$10.07. 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. edged up 0.6% to HK$143.60, and the company announced a planned offering of $3.2 billion later this year. 

Nongfu Spring Co. Ltd. decreased 1.3% to HK$52.0, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd. gained 1.3% to HK$16.54, and Kweichow Moutai Co. Ltd fell 1.3% to ¥1,518.01. 

Investor Optimism Supports China Indexes Near Multi-Year Highs

Li Chen
11 Sep, 2025
Hong Kong

Stock market indexes in Hong Kong came under pressure but in mainland China advanced. 

The Hang Seng index decreased 0.4%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 soared more than 1.5% amid worries about constantly changing U.S. trade policy. 

Mainland investors held out for additional monetary and fiscal stimulus amid recent mixed economic data on inflation, fixed-asset investments, residential housing, and labor markets.

The liquidity-driven rally over the last four months hit the wall last week as investors reassessed the earnings growth outlook following a string of weaker-than-expected corporate results.

Despite the elevated trade tensions between the U.S. and China, foreign investors have been pouring money into Chinese stocks trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. 

The steady flow of foreign funds supported by the sustained investment from state-controlled banks and retail investors has lifted China's benchmark indexes to multi-year highs. 

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.4% to 26,098.09, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index soared 1.8% to 4,524.16. 

Pharmaceutical makers came under pressure amid speculation that the U.S. president is likely to impose additional tariffs and barriers for drugs made in China. 

Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd. decreased 5.4% to HK$8.30, WuXi Biologics declined 4.3% to HK$35.98, and CSPC Pharmaceutical Group dropped 8% to HK$10.07. 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. edged up 0.6% to HK$143.60, and the company announced a planned offering of $3.2 billion later this year. 

Nongfu Spring Co. Ltd. decreased 1.3% to HK$52.0, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd. gained 1.3% to HK$16.54, and Kweichow Moutai Co. Ltd fell 1.3% to ¥1,518.01. 

Synopsys Inc. declined 19.59% to $485.97 after the electronic design automation company reported a slight increase in revenue and a 41% decrease in profit in the latest quarter ending on July 31.

Consolidated revenue increased to $1.7 billion from $1.5 billion, net income declined to $242 million from $408 million, and diluted earnings per share fell to $1.50 from $2.61 a year ago.

The company's board authorized a $1.5 billion stock repurchase program in fiscal 2022. 

As of the end of July, $194.3 million remained available under the program; however, it is currently suspended due to the Ansys merger and will resume after debt reduction.

On July 17, 2025, Synopsys completed the acquisition of ANSYS, Inc., under the previously announced merger agreement dated January 15, 2024. ANSYS is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Synopsys.

10 Sep, 2025

Oracle Corp. jumped 28.77% to $311.01 after the database developer reported a slight increase in revenue and a marginal decline in net income in the fiscal first quarter ending on August 31.

Consolidated revenue advanced to $14.9 billion from $13.3 billion, net income inched lower to $2.927 billion from $2.929 billion, and diluted earnings per share edged down to $1.01 from $1.03 a year ago.

The company's board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share, payable on October 23 to shareholders on record on October 9.

"We signed four multi-billion-dollar contracts with three different customers in Q1," said Oracle CEO Safra Catz.

"This resulted in the contract backlog increasing 359% to $455 billion.

It was an astonishing quarter—and demand for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure continues to build.

Over the next few months, we expect to sign up several additional multi-billion-dollar customers, and Remaining Performance Obligation is likely to exceed half a trillion dollars," Catz added. 

Oracle Cloud Infrastructure revenue is to grow 77% to $18 billion this fiscal year—and then increase to $32 billion, $73 billion, $114 billion, and $144 billion over the subsequent four years."

Oracle Chairman and CTO Larry Ellison announced that MultiCloud database revenue from Amazon, Google, and Microsoft grew by an impressive 1,529% year-over-year in the first fiscal quarter.

"This growth is to continue as Oracle delivers 37 additional datacenters to its hyperscaler partners, bringing the total to 71," estimated Ellison. 

Ellison also revealed that Oracle will launch a new service next month at Oracle AI World called the "Oracle AI Database," which will allow customers to run leading AI models—such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok—directly on top of Oracle Database.

10 Sep, 2025

Casey's General Stores Inc. surged 5% to $541.48 after the convenience store operator reported a 19% rise in its earnings in the latest quarter ending on July 31.

Consolidated revenue increased to $4.6 billion from $4.1 billion, net income advanced to $215 million from $180 million, and diluted earnings per share rose to $5.77 from $4.83 a year ago.

During the quarter, the company repurchased approximately $31 million of shares, and the company has approximately $264 million remaining under its existing share repurchase authorization.

The company's board declared a cash dividend of $0.57 per share, payable on November 14 to shareholders on record on November 1.

Casey's reiterated its fiscal 2026 outlook, and the company estimated EBITDA to grow by 10% to 12% from a year ago, with same-store inside sales increasing 2% to 5% and an inside margin of about 41%.

 Casey's estimated same-store fuel gallons sold to range from negative 1% to positive 1%, and operating expenses to rise by 8% to 10%. 

Casey’s plans to open at least 80 new stores through a mix of acquisitions and new builds, bringing the total to around 500 stores over the three-year strategic plan. 

10 Sep, 2025

Macy's Inc. plunged 0.03% to $17.30 after the department store chain operator reported a 48% decline in profit in the fiscal second quarter ending on August 2.

Consolidated revenue edged lower to $5 billion from $5.1 billion, net income declined to $87 million from $150 million, and diluted earnings per share fell to 31 cents from 53 cents a year ago.

The company returned $100 million to shareholders, including $50 million in quarterly dividends and $50 million in share repurchases.

The company's board declared a regular quarterly dividend of 18.24 cents per share, payable on October 1 to shareholders on record on September 15.

Macy's revised its annual revenue guidance to between $21.15 billion and $21.45 billion and adjusted diluted earnings per share to between $1.70 and $2.05.

08 Sep, 2025

Verint Systems Inc. was unchanged at $20.36 after the customer experience automation platform’s net income swung to a loss in the latest quarter ending on July 31.

Consolidated revenue in the quarter inched down to $208 million from $210 million, net income swung to a loss of $1.69 million from a profit of $5.53 million, and diluted income per share swung to a loss of 9 cents from a profit of 2 cents a year ago.

Thoma Bravo announced a $2 billion all-cash acquisition of Verint on August 24, 2025. Shareholders will receive $20.50 per share, representing an 18% premium to the stock’s 10-day average price before reports of a potential sale. 

The deal, unanimously approved by Verint’s board, is expected to close by the end of the current fiscal year, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. 

After completion, Verint will become privately held, and its stock will be delisted.

08 Sep, 2025

Asana Inc. declined 8% to $13.46 despite the team collaboration and work management software company saying net loss shrank and revenue increased in the second quarter ending on July 31.

Consolidated revenue inched higher to $196.9 million from $179.2 million, net loss shrank to $48 million from $72 million, and diluted losses per share fell to 20 cents from 31 cents a year ago.

Asana guided third-quarter revenue to be between $197.5 million and $199.5 million, non-GAAP operating income to be between $12 million and $14 million, and non-GAAP earnings per share between 6 cents and 7 cents.

Asana guided full-year revenue to be between $780 million and $790 million, non-GAAP operating income to be between $46 million and $50 million, and non-GAAP earnings per share to be between 23 cents and 25 cents.

In the fiscal second quarter of 2026, Asana saw strong customer growth, with core customers (spending $5,000+) increasing 9% to 25,006 and high-value customers (spending $100,000+) rising 19% to 770, driving revenue growth from core accounts by 12% from a year ago, respectively.

The company maintained a solid dollar-based net retention rate of 96%

08 Sep, 2025

Ciena Corp. increased 20% to $116.69 after the provider of networking systems reported more than a three-and-a-half-fold jump in earnings in the fiscal third quarter ending on August 2. 

Consolidated revenue edged higher to $1.22 billion from $942 million, net income advanced to $50.3 million from $14.2 million, and diluted earnings per share rose to 35 cents from 10 cents a year ago.

During the quarter, Ciena repurchased 1.0 million shares of common stock for an aggregate price of $81.8 million.

Ciena guided fourth-quarter revenue to be between $1.24 billion and $1.32 billion, adjusted gross margin to be between 42% and 43%, and adjusted operating expense to be between $390 million and $400 million.

"With visibility well into fiscal year 2026, we are confident in the continued momentum of our business and remain focused on further expanding our operating leverage as we continue to grow," said Gary Smith, president and CEO, Ciena. 

08 Sep, 2025

DocuSign Inc. gained 4.8% to $79.86 despite the e-signature software provider reporting a 93% drop in the second quarter ending on July 31.

Consolidated revenue increased to $800 million from $736 million, net income dropped to $63 million from $888 million, and diluted earnings per share declined to 30 cents from $4.26 a year ago.

During the second quarter, DocuSign returned a total of $201.5 million to shareholders through share repurchases.

DocuSign guided third-quarter revenue to be between $804 million and $808 million, adjusted operating margin between 28% and 29%, and adjusted diluted weighted-average shares outstanding between 207 million and 212 million. 

DocuSign guided full-year revenue to be between $3.189 billion and $3.201 billion, adjusted operating margin between 28.6% and 29.6%, and adjusted diluted weighted-average shares outstanding between 207 million and 212 million. 

08 Sep, 2025

Broadcom Inc. fell 0.7% to $332.41 despite the provider of semiconductor and infrastructure software solutions’ net income swinging to a profit from a year ago in the fiscal third quarter.

Consolidated revenue inched higher to $15.95 billion from $13.07 billion, net income swung to a profit of $4.14 billion from a loss of $1.88 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to an income of 85 cents from a loss of 40 cents a year ago.

The company's board declared a cash dividend of $0.59 per share, payable on September 30 to shareholders on record on September 22.

During the third quarter, Broadcom returned $2.8 billion to shareholders through cash dividends.

The company estimated fiscal fourth-quarter revenue of approximately $17.4 billion and adjusted EBITDA to be approximately 67% of projected revenue.

"Broadcom achieved record third-quarter revenue, driven by continued strength in custom AI accelerators, networking, and VMware," said Hock Tan, president and chief executive officer. 

AI revenue in Q3 grew 63% year-over-year to $5.2 billion. 

We expect this growth to accelerate further in the fourth quarter, with AI semiconductor revenue projected to reach $6.2 billion—marking eleven consecutive quarters of growth, as our customers continue to invest aggressively.”

05 Sep, 2025