Asset Management One Co., Ltd.

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Major Asia-Pacific stock markets showed mixed results, with Japan's Nikkei index reaching a record high of 63,799 before closing at 63,333. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.9%, with a year-to-date gain of 86%. SoftBank Group shares fell 3.5% despite exceeding profit expectations. SK Hynix's market cap nears USD 1 trillion, reflecting a significant rise in its stock price. Analysts noted a strong FOMO sentiment in AI-related stocks across Japan and South Korea. Other regional markets also experienced slight gains or losses, with Indonesia's market closed for a holiday.

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Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

ISHRS MSCI S Korea Capped

XL2CSOPHYNIX

Japan Agricultural Cooperatives Group

CSOP NIKKEI225

SoftBank Group Corp.

SoftBank

SSE Index

Shenzhen Index

Taiwan Semiconductor

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial

Samsung Electronics 

Walmart

Berkshire Hathaway

Berkshire Hathaway B

FTSE Straits Times Index

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Sponsored GDR

Nikkei Hits Record High; SoftBank Falls Over 3% After Results; S Korea Stocks YTD Up 86%; SK Hynix Mkt Cap Near USD1T

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The AI-led market rally continues as investors overlook high interest rates and oil prices above $100. A summit between U.S. President Trump and China's Xi Jinping is underway, focusing on trade and geopolitical tensions, with low expectations from the talks. Asian markets, particularly South Korea and Japan, are performing well, driven by AI investments. Key UK economic data is anticipated, reflecting the impact of the ongoing Iran war on the economy. Prime Minister Starmer faces pressure following local election losses.

Fidelity

ChinaAMC Nomura N225 ETF(QDII)

NVIDIA

NVIDIA Corporation

MORNING BID EUROPE-AI rally powers on, Trump-Xi summit takes centre stage

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Bank of Japan Policy Board Member Ichiro Zeng indicated that the central bank is considering a comprehensive review of economic factors such as prices, employment, and financial conditions before making any further interest rate hikes. He stressed the need for well-informed and balanced monetary policy adjustments, given that the current policy rate is near the estimated neutral level.

CoinLive

Huaan MUFG N225 ETF(QDII)

Bank of Japan Considers Comprehensive Review Before Further Rate Hikes

A member of the Bank of Japan's board, Ichirou Zou, has stated that food prices will be a crucial determinant of future inflation in the long term. He emphasized the significant role that food prices play in shaping inflationary trends, highlighting the importance of monitoring food price movements as a factor influencing the broader economic landscape.

Bank of Japan Board Member: Food Prices Key to Future Inflation

Kazuo Ueda, a member of the Bank of Japan's board, has raised concerns about inflation expectations due to the yen's depreciation. He highlighted that the weakening yen could increase import prices, affecting consumer price trends. Ueda emphasized the necessity of monitoring these developments to evaluate their impact on Japan's economic stability and inflation outlook.

Pro Ultr Yen

Pro Ultrshrt Yen

Currencyshares JPY Trust

Bank of Japan

Bank of Japan Board Member Highlights Concerns Over Inflation Expectations Due to Yen Depreciation

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Japan has entered a phase of inflation, as stated by Bank of Japan board member Ichiro Zeng. He noted a significant shift in the economic environment, with inflationary pressures becoming more apparent. This marks a notable change from Japan's previous deflationary trends. The Bank of Japan is closely monitoring the situation to evaluate its impact on monetary policy.

FL2 CSOP NIKKEI

Bank of Japan Board Member Says Japan Has Entered Inflation Phase

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The Nikkei 225 closed above 63,000 for the first time, marking a significant milestone amid market uncertainty. TOPIX companies are expected to achieve nearly 6% profit growth, fueled by demand for AI and gains in the banking sector. Additionally, Japanese investors sold foreign stocks in April due to concerns over inflation and energy costs.

BlackRock, Inc.

iShares MSCI Japan GBP Hedged UCITS ETF (Acc)

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc.

Lyxor Japan (TOPIX)(DR) UCITS ETF

Simplex Financial Holdings Co., Ltd.

Invesco MSCI Japan UCITS ETF

Nikkei closes above 63,000 as profits, AI demand lift stocks

Former Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda stated that Japan's recent foreign exchange intervention may have temporarily prevented the yen from falling below 160 per dollar, but its long-term effects are limited. Kuroda emphasized that lasting impact requires significant damage to speculators or a shift in market sentiment. He noted that the yen's downtrend is driven by rising oil import costs and interest rate differences between Japan and the U.S. Kuroda believes an equilibrium rate for the dollar/yen is around 120-130, while Japan's economy remains strong with inflation near the central bank's target.

Thomson Reuters

Ex-BOJ chief Kuroda sees yen intervention impact as short-lived

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Former Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda warned that ongoing conflict in Iran could lead to a shift in monetary policy. He indicated that the Bank of Japan might need to accelerate policy normalization and tighten monetary measures to combat inflation, highlighting the economic risks associated with prolonged geopolitical tensions.

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

Former BOJ Governor Kuroda: Iran War Could Force Policy Shift

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The Nikkei 225 index rose 0.52% to surpass 63,000, while the Topix increased by 1.1%, amid a weak yen trading near 157.5 per dollar. Bank of Japan (BOJ) officials indicated a potential rate hike due to inflation concerns linked to oil prices and yen depreciation. Additionally, the U.S. and Japan emphasized their collaboration to manage excessive currency volatility, which temporarily strengthened the yen.

Nikkei edges above 63,000 amid yen softness, BOJ focus

Asset Management One Co., Ltd.(1369.JP)

Nikkei Hits Record High; SoftBank Falls Over 3% After Results; S Korea Stocks YTD Up 86%; SK Hynix Mkt Cap Near USD1T

MORNING BID EUROPE-AI rally powers on, Trump-Xi summit takes centre stage

Bank of Japan Considers Comprehensive Review Before Further Rate Hikes

Bank of Japan Board Member: Food Prices Key to Future Inflation

Bank of Japan Board Member Highlights Concerns Over Inflation Expectations Due to Yen Depreciation