Morning Brief

Stocks in major Asia-Pacific markets were mostly higher on Wednesday, with Hong Kong-listed shares of Chinese tech juggernaut Alibaba surging following the reappearance of founder Jack Ma. Shares of Alibaba listed in the city surged...

South Korea’s Kospi led gains among the region’s major markets, rising 2.61% to close at 3,092.66 as shares of automaker Hyundai Motor surged 8.51%.

Mainland Chinese stocks were higher on the day, with the Shanghai composite up 0.84% to 3,596.22 while the Shenzhen component advanced 1.58% to 15,269.27. The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong rose 0.87%, as of its final hour...

The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was at 90.409 following an earlier low of 90.223

China’s exports rose 18.1% in December as compared with a year earlier, according to customs data released Thursday.

The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was at 89.90 following an earlier high of 90.037

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan advanced 0.26%.

Oil prices were lower in the afternoon of Asia trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures down 1.3% to $55.26 per barrel. U.S. crude futures dipped 0.86% to $51.79 per barrel.

The Japanese yen traded at 103.93 per dollar after weakening from levels below 103.2 against the greenback yesterday. The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7762, having seen levels above $0.78 earlier this week.

Mainland Chinese stocks saw gains on the day, with the Shanghai composite up 0.71% to 3,576.20 and the Shenzhen component rising 1.111% to 15,356.40. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index lagged the region’s major markets as it dipped 0.52%...

Markets across Asia-Pacific were mixed on Wednesday, as developments turned the focus on Chinese tech giants and regional energy stocks. Shares of Chinese tech giants Tencent and Alibaba were monitored by investors on Wednesday after U.S....

Oil prices were lower in the afternoon of Asia trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures down 0.12% to $51.03 per barrel. U.S. crude futures were little changed at $47.61 per barrel.

Mainland Chinese stocks rose on the day: The Shanghai composite gained 0.86% to 3,502.96 while the Shenzhen component soared 2.466% to 14,827.47.

Mainland Chinese stocks surged on the day: the Shanghai composite climbed 1.72% to 3,473.07 while the Shenzhen component gained 1.895% to 14,470.68. The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong advanced 0.31% to 27,231.13.

China’s 2019 GDP growth was revised downward to 6.0%, according to a statement released Wednesday by the country’s National Bureau of Statistics. That compared against a pre-revision 2019 growth rate of 6.1%.

Oil prices were higher in the afternoon of Asia trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures up 0.69% to $51.21 per barrel. U.S. crude futures gained 0.65% to $47.93 per barrel.

The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was at 90.093 after declining from levels above 90.4 in recent days.

Oil prices were higher in the afternoon of Asia trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures up 0.29% to $51.35 per barrel. U.S. crude futures advanced 0.25% to $48.24 per barrel.

The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was last at 90.445 following an earlier high of 90.666.

The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, last traded at 89.945 after weakening this week from levels above 90.4.

Oil prices were higher in the afternoon of Asia trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures up 1.23% to $51.71 per barrel. U.S. crude futures gained 1.34% to $48.46 per barrel.

The Japanese yen traded at 103.40 per dollar, having seen levels around 104.1 against the greenback yesterday. The Australian dollar was at $0.7565 after trading at levels around $0.751 yesterday.

The Japanese yen traded at 104.05 per dollar after seeing levels below 103.8 against the greenback yesterday. The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7526 following levels above $0.756 seen yesterday.

shares in Australia edged higher, with the S&P/ASX 200 up around 0.5%. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.15%.

Oil prices rose during Asia trading hours on Friday: U.S. crude futures were up 0.73% at $47.12 a barrel. Global benchmark Brent rose 0.72% to $50.61.

The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of its peers, traded near flat at 91.058.

The Japanese yen changed hands at 104.20 per dollar, staying relatively flat. Elsewhere, the Australian dollar ticked up 0.47% to $0.7446.

Elsewhere, the Japanese yen changed hands at 104.10 per dollar, weakening from an earlier level around 103.94, while the Australian dollar fell 0.18% to $0.7407.

In the currency market, the U.S. dollar traded at 90.851 as of 3:34 p.m. HK/SIN against a basket of its peers. The dollar index fell from levels near 91.80 last week but...

The Japanese yen traded at 103.86 per dollar after strengthening sharply yesterday from levels above 104 against the greenback. The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7433, having risen from levels below $0.74 earlier in the trading...

Oil prices dipped in the afternoon of Asia trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures fractionally lower at $48.21 per barrel. U.S. crude futures slipped 0.13% to $45.22 per barrel.

The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was at 91.149 following a decline earlier this week from levels above 91.5.

The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was at 91.757 after seeing an earlier high of 91.945.

The Japanese yen traded at 103.97 per dollar after strengthening from levels above 104.4 against the greenback last week. The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7379, having risen from levels below $0.732 in the previous week.

The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was at 91.915 following its decline earlier this week from levels above 92.4.

Following that announcement, the Korean won traded at 1,104.90 per dollar, as compared to an earlier low of 1,107.30 against the greenback.

The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was at 91.96 after seeing levels above 92.4 earlier in the week.

Oil prices were higher in the afternoon of Asia trading hours, as international benchmark Brent crude futures rose 1.27% to $45.53 per barrel. U.S. crude futures added 1.08% to $42.88 per barrel.

The dollar index, which measures the U.S. dollar against a basket of its peers, last traded at 92.213, declining from an earlier high of 92.346. The index retreated from levels near 93.00...

The Japanese yen traded near flat at 103.86 against the greenback while the Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7292, dropping from earlier levels around $0.73.

The Japanese yen strengthened further in the afternoon, last trading at 103.85 per dollar, as compared to levels above 104.5 earlier. The Australian dollar was at $0.7308 against the dollar, firming from earlier levels.

The Japanese yen traded at 104.52 against the greenback, a touch firmer as compared to Monday. The Australian dollar was at 0.7303 against the dollar, strengthening from the 0.72 mark yesterday.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose 0.58% in the afternoon. Casino and finance stocks listed in the city were going strong. Standard Chartered was up 4.80%, while HSBC bounced 3.49%.

The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was last at 92.914 following its rise this week from levels below 92.8.

In Japan, Softbank Group shares jumped 1.49%. Game maker Nintendo also surged 4.3%. Over in South Korea, Kakao’s stock gained 0.56%.

Oil prices were higher in the afternoon of Asia trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures up 2.45% to $44.68 per barrel. U.S. crude futures added 2.59% to $42.43 per barrel.

The Japanese yen traded at 105 per dollar after weakening sharply from levels below 104.3 against the greenback yesterday. The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7288 following its rise last week from levels below $0.72.

Former U.S. vice president Biden won following his projected win in the states of Pennsylvania as well as Nevada, according to NBC News projections on Saturday. Still, Trump is refusing to concede...

The Japanese yen traded at 103.46 per dollar, having strengthened from levels above 104.4 against the greenback this week.

Oil prices were lower in the afternoon of Asian trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures down 1.7% to $40.53 per barrel. U.S. crude futures also slipped 1.71% to $38.48 per...

The Japanese yen, often seen as a safe-haven currency, traded at 104.94 per dollar after seeing an earlier high of 104.35 against the greenback.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index led gains among the region’s major markets as it jumped more than 2%, as of its final hour of trading. Shares of life insurer AIA soared more than 6%.

The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was at 94.114 after rising from levels below 93 late in October.

The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was at 93.793 after rising from levels below 93.5 this week.

The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7065 after yesterday’s sharp drop from above $0.712.

Investor sentiment on Wednesday was likely impacted by the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the U.S.

Oil prices were higher in the afternoon of Asian trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures up 0.74% to $40.76 per barrel. U.S. crude futures also gained 0.73% to $38.84 per barrel.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan traded above the flatline. The Hong Kong market is closed on Monday for a holiday.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 rose 0.18% to close at 23,516.59 while the Topix index advanced 0.34% to finish its trading day at 1,625.32. South Korea’s Kospi also rose 0.24% to close...

Oil prices were lower in the afternoon of Asia trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures down about 1% to $42.72 per barrel. U.S. crude futures shed 0.91% to $41.32 per...

The Japanese yen traded at 105.49 per dollar following an earlier low of 105.61 against the greenback while the Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7038 after slipping from levels above $0.71 yesterday.

South Korea’s Kospi also advanced 0.22% to close at 2,346.74. Meanwhile, shares in Australia rose on the day, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 0.85% to 6,229.40.

Stocks across Asia-Pacific were mostly down by the close on Friday, amid dampened sentiment on the coronavirus front. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar strengthened as uncertainty rose with investors flocking to the haven...

The Japanese yen traded at 105.23 per dollar, having strengthened from levels above 105.3 against the greenback yesterday. The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7098 following levels above $0.72 seen earlier this week.

Oil prices edged lower in the afternoon of Asian trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures down 0.28% to $42.33 per barrel. U.S. crude futures also shed 0.32% to $40.07 per...

The Japanese yen traded 105.38 per dollar after strengthening from levels around 105.6 against the greenback yesterday. The Australian dollar was at $0.7177, still above levels below $0.715 seen last week.

National Australia Bank’s Tapas Strickland said the moves in the yuan were likely driven by the rule change “which makes it less expensive to short the (Chinese yuan) and signals less (concern)...

The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was at 93.377 after seeing an earlier low of 93.331.

The Japanese yen traded at 105.98 per dollar after an earlier low of 106.10 against the greenback. The Australian dollar was at $0.7162 following an earlier low of $0.712.

The moves came as investors reacted to Trump's move to halt stimulus talks.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index advanced 0.9% on the day to 23,980.65.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose 1.32% on the day to 23,767.78, with shares of HSBC soaring 4.03%.

Overall, the MSCI Asia ex-Japan index was 0.48% higher. Markets in China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan were closed on Thursday for holidays.

Oil prices were lower in the afternoon of Asian trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures down 0.72% to $41.62 per barrel. U.S. crude futures also shed 0.84% to $39.91 per barrel.

The Japanese yen traded at 105.43 per dollar after weakening from levels around 105 yesterday. The Australian dollar was at $0.7045 after falling yesterday from above $0.712.

Stocks in Asia-Pacific were mixed in Wednesday trade as investors react to recent comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. Shares in Australia led gains among the region's major markets, with the...

The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong slipped about 1%, as of its final hour of trading. HSBC saw its stock drop 2.73% while Standard Chartered fell 3.58%. The moves added to...

Oil prices were lower in the afternoon of Asian trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures down 1.27% to $42.60 per barrel. U.S. crude futures were 1.48% lower at $40.50 per barrel.

The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, sat at 92.931 after falling from levels above 93.3 earlier in the trading week.

Oil prices were higher in the afternoon of Asian trading hours, as international benchmark Brent crude futures gained 1.9% to $41.30 per barrel. U.S. crude futures also advanced 2.25% to $39.14 per...

Oil prices were lower in the afternoon of Asian trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures down 0.3% to $39.49 per barrel. U.S. crude futures also shed 0.21% to $37.18 per barrel.

The Japanese yen traded at 106 against the greenback, following an earlier low of 106.19 per dollar.

Oil prices were mixed in the afternoon of Asian trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures down 0.15% to $40.00 per barrel. U.S. crude futures hovered above the flatline, trading at $37.31 per barrel.

Oil prices were lower in the afternoon of Asian trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures down 0.61% to $40.54 per barrel. U.S. crude futures also slipped 0.84% to $37.73 per barrel.

The Japanese yen traded at 105.93 per dollar after an earlier high of 105.76 against the greenback. The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7225 after falling from levels above $0.726 yesterday.

Mainland Chinese stocks edged higher on the day, as the Shanghai composite added 0.72% to about 3,316.42 while the Shenzhen component was fractionally higher at 13,293.33.

Mainland Chinese stocks led losses among the region’s major markets on the day, with the Shanghai composite down 1.87% to about 3,292.59 while the Shenzhen component dropped 2.729%

Oil prices were higher in the afternoon of Asian trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures up 0.39% to $44.24 per barrel. U.S. crude futures added 0.63% to $41.63 per barrel.

The Japanese yen traded at 106.24 per dollar after weakening from levels around 106 against the greenback yesterday

Oil prices were higher in the afternoon of Asian trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures up 0.86% to $45.97 per barrel. U.S. crude futures advanced 0.91% to $43.15 per barrel.

Shares of Mitsubishi jumped 10.31% while Itochu gained 5.57%. Marubeni soared 12.41% and Mitsui gained 8.36%, Sumitomo rose 10.4%.

Stocks in Asia Pacific were mostly higher on Tuesday, while top trade representatives from Washington and Beijing had a call to discuss the implementation of their phase one agreement. South Korea's stocks...

Oil prices edged lower in the afternoon of Asian trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures slightly lower at $44.33 per barrel. U.S. crude futures also shed 0.14% to $42.28 per barrel.

The Japanese yen traded at 105.53 per dollar after touching levels above 106 against the greenback yesterday. The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7185, in a turbulent trading week that has seen it from levels above...

The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was at 93.035 after seeing an earlier spike from levels below 92.5.

Oil prices were lower in the afternoon of Asian trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures down 1.1% to $44.96 per barrel. U.S. crude futures dipped 1% to $42.46 per barrel.

The Japanese yen traded at 105.54 per dollar after strengthening from levels above 106.4 against the greenback yesterday. The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7236 after yesterday’s rise from below $0.72.

The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was at 92.934 after its decline last week from levels above 93.6.

Oil prices reversed gains in afternoon trade during Asian hours on Friday. U.S. crude fell 0.31% to $42.11 as of 3:25 p.m.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 bounced 1.78% higher to close at 23,249.61, while the Topix was also up 1.16% to 1,624.15. Auto and tech stocks jumped. Softbank was up 3.73%, while Sony rose 2.81%.