Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Most Asian stocks edged lower on Thursday due to growing uncertainty over U.S. trade policy and weak economic indicators, though Hong Kong and South Korea bucked the trend with tech-driven gains.
Investor sentiment remained cautious as Wall Street closed mixed after soft U.S. labor data and concerns over escalating tariffs under President Donald Trump. Trump is expected to hold a call with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, which may revive stalled trade negotiations. Meanwhile, S&P 500 futures dipped 0.1% in Asian trading.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.4% and the TOPIX shed 0.8%, dragged down by weaker-than-expected April wage growth, raising doubts about Japan’s consumption recovery. Australia’s ASX 200 also slipped 0.1% following disappointing April trade data, reflecting a sharp decline in commodity exports. Singapore’s Straits Times index remained flat, while India’s Gift Nifty 50 futures also signaled a muted open ahead of a possible 25 basis point rate cut by the Reserve Bank.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 1%, lifted by gains in major tech stocks such as Alibaba, Meituan, and BYD Electronic. SMIC jumped 2.5%, tracking overnight gains in U.S. tech as falling Treasury yields and AI optimism supported global chipmakers. Taiwan’s TSMC added 0.2%, while South Korea’s SK Hynix and Samsung surged 5.4% and 3.3%, respectively.
China’s mainland indexes lagged, with both the CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite down 0.1%. Despite a better-than-expected Caixin services PMI, weak manufacturing data limited gains. Market watchers expect more stimulus from Beijing amid the ongoing U.S.-China trade rift.
South Korea’s KOSPI led regional markets, climbing 2% to an 11-month high on post-election optimism and a strong tech sector. The recent victory of President Lee Jae-myung ended months of political uncertainty, further boosting investor confidence.
