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ASIA STOCKS: Asian Equities Broadly Lower As Tech Rally Runs Out Of Steam

ASIA STOCKS
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Asian equity markets are lower today as concerns over U.S. geopolitical shifts and tariff uncertainties dampened risk sentiment. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell by as much as 1.1%, with notable declines in Japan’s Topix (-1.25%) and Nikkei (-1.4%), Australia’s ASX 200 (-1.25%), and HSI (-1.25%), where Chinese tech stocks slumped over 2%—dragged by Meituan (-5.8%) and Alibaba (-4.6%) ahead of its earnings—pausing a DeepSeek-fueled rally. The yen strengthened to its highest level against the dollar since December, amid speculation of a BOJ rate hike, while Tsys yields edged lower and gold held near record highs, reflecting a cautious market mood driven by U.S.-Ukraine tensions, Fed signals of steady rates, and Trump’s mixed trade rhetoric involving potential China deals and a 25% lumber tariff.

  • The ASX 200 drop was driven by a rising unemployment rate and declines in banking and mining stocks. New Zealand’s NZX 50 fell 1.2%.
  • Japan’s benchmarks are lower as a stronger yen pressured exporters like Toyota (-1.5%), with additional selling in auto and pharmaceutical sectors amid U.S. tariff threats on cars, chips, and drugs.
  • South Korea’s KOSPI is 0.8% lower, with auto stocks like Hyundai Motor (-0.49%) and shipbuilders like HD Korea Shipbuilding (-5.02%) leading losses after Trump’s tariff comments. Taiwan's TAIEX is 0.40% lower.
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Asian equity markets are lower today as concerns over U.S. geopolitical shifts and tariff uncertainties dampened risk sentiment. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell by as much as 1.1%, with notable declines in Japan’s Topix (-1.25%) and Nikkei (-1.4%), Australia’s ASX 200 (-1.25%), and HSI (-1.25%), where Chinese tech stocks slumped over 2%—dragged by Meituan (-5.8%) and Alibaba (-4.6%) ahead of its earnings—pausing a DeepSeek-fueled rally. The yen strengthened to its highest level against the dollar since December, amid speculation of a BOJ rate hike, while Tsys yields edged lower and gold held near record highs, reflecting a cautious market mood driven by U.S.-Ukraine tensions, Fed signals of steady rates, and Trump’s mixed trade rhetoric involving potential China deals and a 25% lumber tariff.

  • The ASX 200 drop was driven by a rising unemployment rate and declines in banking and mining stocks. New Zealand’s NZX 50 fell 1.2%.
  • Japan’s benchmarks are lower as a stronger yen pressured exporters like Toyota (-1.5%), with additional selling in auto and pharmaceutical sectors amid U.S. tariff threats on cars, chips, and drugs.
  • South Korea’s KOSPI is 0.8% lower, with auto stocks like Hyundai Motor (-0.49%) and shipbuilders like HD Korea Shipbuilding (-5.02%) leading losses after Trump’s tariff comments. Taiwan's TAIEX is 0.40% lower.