BOJ Rate Hike Expectations Rise Ahead of September Meeting 
China Exports Beat July Forecasts as AI Demand Fuels High-Tech Trade 
Asian Stocks Slip as AI Rally Fades, Oil Holds Steady on Iran Peace Deal Hopes 
Philippine GDP Growth Slows to 2.3% in Q2 
Trump Unveils $3 Billion U.S. Critical Minerals Push 
UK Services PMI Returns to Growth in July as New Orders and Confidence Rebound 
Oil Prices Set for Steep Weekly Losses as Hormuz Deal Stalls 
US Stock Futures Rise as Markets Await July Payrolls Data 
Asian Stocks Mixed as Chip Selloff Hits KOSPI, Nikkei Ahead of US Jobs Data 
China Trade Surplus Beats Forecasts in July as Exports Stay Strong 
Brazil Cuts Selic Rate to 14% as Inflation Eases but Risks Persist 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await U.S. Jobs Data 
Gold Prices Steady as Hormuz Tensions Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as US Dollar Nears Seven-Week Low Ahead of Key Jobs Data 
Oil Prices Slip as Hormuz Shipping Progress and Rising U.S. Crude Stocks Weigh on Market 
US Job Growth Seen Picking Up in July 
US Dollar Falls as Weak July Jobs Report Dents Fed Rate Hike Bets 
A solid close on Wall Street overnight translated into somewhat softer gains in Asia on Thursday morning. Asian markets were generally higher on Thursday, with a slew of manufacturing data from the region prompting little reaction, while Chinese bourses were closed.
Chinese stock markets were shut on Thursday in observance of National Day. Chinese factory activity continued to deteriorate last month as new work fell at the quickest rate in three years, raising fresh calls for policymakers to add more stimulus as the economy continues to slow. The Caixin-Markit China manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 47.2 in September, the lowest since March 2009, from 47.3 in August, coming in stronger than the preliminary reading of 47.0. The Purchasing Managers' Index rose from 49.7 in August to 49.8 last month, signalled a slight moderation in the industry's contraction.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose 0.27% to 17,435.02 points within the first hour of trade, while Tokyo's broader Topix gauge jumped 0.64% to 1,420.25 points. The Bank of Japan (BoJ) Tankan Manufacturing Index of large-scale factories fell from 15 to 12 in the September quarter.
Korea's benchmark Kospi index advanced 0.21% to 1,966.90 points this morning in Seoul.
The benchmark Australian S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.80% to 5,061.90 points in Sydney, with Australia's big lenders supporting the index, as well as resource stocks.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index fell 0.18% to 5,583.35 points this afternoon in Wellington.
