Market Update
Japan's Producer Price Inflation Dropped to 11-Month Low, Nikkei 225 Scaled New Record High
Akira Ito
13 Aug, 2025
Tokyo
Japan's benchmark indexes hit new record highs following a rally in overnight trading on Wall Street.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average and the broader Topix advanced more than 1% as investors doubled down on the hopes of a U.S. rate cut after the policy meeting next month.
Closer to home, producer price inflation dropped to an 11-month low in July, as export-driven companies contend with higher U.S. tariffs.
Producer prices rose at an annual pace of 2.6% in July, slower than 2.9% in the previous month, the Bank of Japan reported Wednesday.
Producer price inflation moderated for the fourth consecutive month, weakening the price growth to the slowest since August 2024.
On a monthly basis, producer prices rose 0.2%, following a downwardly revised 0.1% decrease in June.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average advanced 1.6% to 43,394.80, and the broader Topix gained 1.1% to 3,100.43.
Semiconductor equipment makers led the gainers in Tokyo trading.
Tokyo Electron advanced 0.7% to ¥21,680.0, Advantest Corp. jumped 4.9% to ¥11,695.0, and Disco Corp. increased 1.5% to ¥42,820.0.
Sanrio jumped 7.2% to ¥7,706.0, Sony Group advanced 3.6% to ¥4,136.0, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries added 3.8% to ¥4,109.0.
China Indexes Jumped 1%, Evergrande Group to Delist HK Stock
Li Chen
13 Aug, 2025
Hong Kong
Stock market indexes in China and Hong Kong soared, tracking gains in New York amid hopes of a rate cut.
The Hang Seng index jumped nearly 2%, and the CSI 300 index advanced 0.9% in the hopes that the cooler-than-expected inflation in the U.S. is likely to spur the Federal Reserve to lower rates at the next policy meeting in September.
In overnight trading, the S&P 500 index and the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite closed at new record highs after the annual consumer price inflation in July was 2.7%, matching the rate in the previous month.
The cooler-than-expected overall inflation showed early signs of the sharp escalation in U.S. tariffs, as retailers gradually passed over higher import duties to consumers.
Core inflation, which excludes energy and food prices, accelerated to 3.1%, confirming the building of underlying inflationary forces.
Benchmark indexes in China and Hong Kong advanced in the hopes that a rate cut in the U.S. will spur more demand for stocks from foreign investors seeking higher returns in emerging markets.
Investors are also awaiting the release of fixed-asset investments, unemployment rates, retail sales, and new home prices data on Friday.
China Evergrande Group Plans to Delist Hong Kong Shares
The property market developers were in focus after China Evergrande Group received a delisting notice from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
The company is scheduled to delist its stock on August 25, after the embattled real estate group failed to meet the listing requirements for more than 18 months.
The company's stock was suspended from trading on January 29, 2024, and last traded at 16 Hong Kong cents.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index jumped 1.8% to 25,425.90, and the CSI 300 index edged up 0.9% to 4,179.77.
Tencent Holdings Ltd increased 3.6% to HK $577.0, Alibaba Group Holding gained 4.4% to HK $121.80, and Meituan advanced 3.6% to HK $123.70.
China Indexes Jumped 1%, Evergrande Group to Delist HK Stock
Li Chen
13 Aug, 2025
Hong Kong
Stock market indexes in China and Hong Kong soared, tracking gains in New York amid hopes of a rate cut.
The Hang Seng index jumped nearly 2%, and the CSI 300 index advanced 0.9% in the hopes that the cooler-than-expected inflation in the U.S. is likely to spur the Federal Reserve to lower rates at the next policy meeting in September.
In overnight trading, the S&P 500 index and the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite closed at new record highs after the annual consumer price inflation in July was 2.7%, matching the rate in the previous month.
The cooler-than-expected overall inflation showed early signs of the sharp escalation in U.S. tariffs, as retailers gradually passed over higher import duties to consumers.
Core inflation, which excludes energy and food prices, accelerated to 3.1%, confirming the building of underlying inflationary forces.
Benchmark indexes in China and Hong Kong advanced in the hopes that a rate cut in the U.S. will spur more demand for stocks from foreign investors seeking higher returns in emerging markets.
Investors are also awaiting the release of fixed-asset investments, unemployment rates, retail sales, and new home prices data on Friday.
China Evergrande Group Plans to Delist Hong Kong Shares
The property market developers were in focus after China Evergrande Group received a delisting notice from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
The company is scheduled to delist its stock on August 25, after the embattled real estate group failed to meet the listing requirements for more than 18 months.
The company's stock was suspended from trading on January 29, 2024, and last traded at 16 Hong Kong cents.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index jumped 1.8% to 25,425.90, and the CSI 300 index edged up 0.9% to 4,179.77.
Tencent Holdings Ltd increased 3.6% to HK $577.0, Alibaba Group Holding gained 4.4% to HK $121.80, and Meituan advanced 3.6% to HK $123.70.
Overall Inflation Held Steady But Core index Accelerated to Five-Month High In July
Barry Adams
12 Aug, 2025
New York City
Benchmark indexes on Wall Street struggled to stay above the flatline after consumer price inflation steadied in July.
The S&P 500 index edged down 0.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.2%, after the consumer price inflation held steady in July.
The consumer price index increased to an annual 2.7%, driven by retailers gradually passing on higher import duties on furniture and recreational goods.
Higher used and new car prices and airline fares were offset by a slight decline in shelter costs and gasoline prices at pump stations.
Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose to a five-month high of 3.1% from 2.9% in the previous month.
Investors are now looking forward to the release of the producer price index on Thursday.
Most businesses are expected to begin to pass on higher import duties to their customers starting this month, and average import duties are expected to hover above 19%.
August's consumer price inflation is expected to shoot up above 3% as retailers pass on higher import duties, following the surge in goods price inflation.
U.S. Stock Movers
Hanesbrands soared 43.9% to $6.94 after Gildan Activewear was reportedly in talks to acquire the T-shirt maker for $5 billion.
The Financial Times first reported about the merger talks, and ticker.com could not verify the deal terms.
Gildan Activewear declined 5.8% to $48.0.
Circle Internet Group jumped 6.7% to $172.0 after the cryptocurrency company said revenue in the second quarter increased 53% to $658.1 million from $430 million a year ago.
Net income from continuing operations turned to a loss of $482.1 million from a profit of $32.8 million, and diluted earnings per share was a loss of $4.48 compared to a breakeven a year ago.
Overall Inflation Held Steady But Core index Accelerated to Five-Month High
Barry Adams
12 Aug, 2025
New York City
Benchmark indexes on Wall Street struggled to stay above the flatline after consumer price inflation steadied in July.
The S&P 500 index edged down 0.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.2%, after the consumer price inflation held steady in July.
The consumer price index increased to an annual 2.7%, driven by retailers gradually passing on higher import duties on furniture and recreational goods.
Higher used and new car prices and airline fares were offset by a slight decline in shelter costs and gasoline prices at pump stations.
Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose to a five-month high of 3.1% from 2.9% in the previous month.
Investors are now looking forward to the release of the producer price index on Thursday.
Most businesses are expected to begin to pass on higher import duties to their customers starting this month, and average import duties are expected to hover above 19%.
August's consumer price inflation is expected to shoot up above 3% as retailers pass on higher import duties, following the surge in goods price inflation.
U.S. Stock Movers
Hanesbrands soared 43.9% to $6.94 after Gildan Activewear was reportedly in talks to acquire the T-shirt maker for $5 billion.
The Financial Times first reported about the merger talks, and ticker.com could not verify the deal terms.
Gildan Activewear declined 5.8% to $48.0.
Circle Internet Group jumped 6.7% to $172.0 after the cryptocurrency company said revenue in the second quarter increased 53% to $658.1 million from $430 million a year ago.
Net income from continuing operations turned to a loss of $482.1 million from a profit of $32.8 million, and diluted earnings per share was a loss of $4.48 compared to a breakeven a year ago.