Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Yen Near 40-Year Lows Despite BOJ Rate Hike, Markets Brace for Possible Intervention 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low; Gold Falls and Oil Mixed 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
Asian stock markets traded mixed on Friday as regional holidays kept volumes muted, with Japanese equities rallying near record highs while Hong Kong markets slipped on sharp electric vehicle losses. Investor sentiment was shaped by developments in technology, central bank commentary, and political shifts in Japan.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.6%, approaching all-time highs, while the TOPIX gained 1.3%. The surge was fueled by strong gains in technology shares, led by Hitachi Ltd., which soared 9.5% after unveiling a partnership with OpenAI to collaborate on AI-powered energy and storage solutions. The announcement sparked optimism over accelerated artificial intelligence development in Japan, boosting related stocks such as Renesas Electronics (+8%), Advantest (+3.4%), Tokyo Electron (+2.3%), and SoftBank Group (+3.6%).
Further support for Japanese markets came from Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, who flagged economic uncertainties tied to U.S. tariffs and overseas conditions. While Ueda reiterated the potential for future rate hikes if inflation strengthens, his cautious tone suggested the BOJ may not rush tightening. Investors are also watching the upcoming Liberal Democratic Party leadership vote, which will determine the next Prime Minister following Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation. Candidates Sanae Takaichi, Shinjiro Koizumi, and Yoshimasa Hayashi are viewed as leading contenders, with markets anticipating a shift toward less restrictive fiscal policies.
In contrast, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 0.7% as electric vehicle makers slumped in tandem with Tesla’s 5% overnight drop. BYD slid 4.7%, Li Auto lost 4.2%, and Geely shed 2.4%. Despite Tesla reporting record Q3 deliveries, analysts cited concerns over expiring U.S. EV subsidies and fierce competition in China. Broader Hong Kong tech shares also retreated after earlier gains, though the index still held a 3.7% weekly rise.
Elsewhere, Singapore’s Straits Times rose 0.2%, Australia’s ASX 200 gained 0.4%, while India’s Nifty 50 slipped 0.2% under pressure from U.S. trade tariffs. With China and South Korea closed for holidays, regional trading remained subdued. Meanwhile, Wall Street’s S&P 500 hit another record high, and futures in Asian trade edged up 0.1%, though the U.S. government shutdown cast uncertainty over the release of key nonfarm payrolls data.
