Japan's retail sales increased for the 36th consecutive month in March, supported by rising wages at large corporations. Industrial output declined in March amid ongoing U.S. tariff threats and elevated trade tensions.
Factory activities indexes in China eased in April after customers front-loaded orders ahead of the U.S. tariffs in March. Investors remained on the sidelines as banks, insurance, and property developers reported mixed quarterly results.
Stock market indexes in China and Hong Kong traded in a tight range, and investors awaited earnings results from ICBC, HSBC, and China Construction Bank.
China stepped up its rhetoric to offer more support to companies and people affected by high U.S. tariffs, and policymakers and political leaders reiterated their commitment to achieving a 5% economic growth target.
Japan's indexes extended weekly gains to 3% after tech stocks powered a three-day rally. Tokyo area inflation accelerated after the ending of high school waiver fees and trimming of energy and electric utility subsidies.
China and Hong Kong indexes extended their weekly rise, and investors overlooked looming U.S. tariff threats. Chinese officials are looking to diversify agricultural imports from South American nations. The PBOC weakened the yuan in its latest reset on Thursday.
Japan's stock market indexes attempted to rebound from steep losses two weeks ago amid waning confidence in a trade deal with the U.S. in the near future. The yen retained its upward bias in choppy trading as speculators avoided holding U.S. dollar-denominated assets.
China market indexes retreated amid ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. Investors are increasingly avoiding export-sensitive sectors of the economy as the U.S.-China tensions are likely to persist longer than previously estimated.
Japan's private sector business activities rebounded in April from a slump in March following a rebound in the service sector activities. The yen traded near a six-month high.
Stock market indexes in China and Hong Kong rebounded amid hopes of a cooling of trade tensions with the U.S. Technology and e-commerce platform operators led markets higher.
China and Hong Kong indexes lacked direction, and investors awaited details of the previously announced fiscal stimulus and additional measures to soften the sharp increase in U.S. import taxes.
Stock market indexes in Japan extended weekly gains amid hopes of tariff concessions from the U.S. The yen edged higher as investors continued to sell U.S. dollar-denominated assets amid waning confidence in its safe-haven status.
Japan's exports, imports, and trade balance expanded in March. Investors hoped that the U.S. tariffs would be lowered after trade negotiations this week.
