^N225 - Nikkei 225
| Previous close | 23,795.44 |
| Open | 23,850.12 |
| Volume | 0 |
| Day's range | 23,757.53 - 23,869.38 |
| 52-week range | 20,110.76 - 24,115.95 |
| Avg. volume | 61,652 |
- Reuters
SoftBank says former employee arrested on suspicion of leaking company info
A former employee of SoftBank Group Corp's wireless business has been arrested on suspicion of leaking company information, the telecommunications firm said on Saturday. SoftBank Corp said it had dismissed the former manager after it became aware of the alleged theft, adding that none of the stolen information was highly confidential. The former employee is suspected of passing information to Russia's trade mission in Japan in exchange for money, the Nikkei newspaper reported, citing the police.
- Bloomberg
Stocks Post Biggest Drop Since October on Virus: Markets Wrap
(Bloomberg) -- The spread of a deadly respiratory virus rattled global markets, sending U.S. stocks lower and fueling demand for havens in government bonds and gold. Oil fell for a fourth day on concern the outbreak will dent economic growth.The S&P 500 Index posted its biggest drop since October amid reports that U.S. officials had confirmed two more cases of the illness, which originated in China and has also spread to several countries in Asia and to Europe. Benchmark Treasury yields fell to a three-month low, while the dollar advanced for a second day.Investors are exercising caution with stocks close to all-time highs, cognizant of the chance the respiratory virus migrates across the world and develops into a more devastating pandemic like the SARS illness that emerged 17 years ago. Officials in China boosted travel restrictions to cover 40 million people to contain the virus’s spread.“Investors can’t help but be unnerved by constant headlines of new cases all over the world,” said Alec Young, managing director of global markets research at FTSE Russell. “To make matters worse, the market will be closed when we get the next update on the virus’ spread over the weekend. As such, this is quickly turning into a sell first, ask questions later environment.”In company news, United Airlines Holdings Inc. and American Airlines Group Inc. each slid more than 3% on concern the virus will limit demand for air travel and tourism. Financial shares also sank, with Citigroup Inc. down almost 2% as UBS warned the sector could be hurt by less credit-card spending and a decline in cross-border payments.Health shares were among the worst performers Friday on growing speculation that upcoming elections in the U.S. may prompt lawmakers to take action on the increasing cost of medicines in the U.S. Intel Corp. was a rare bright spot after giving a bullish revenue forecast.Elsewhere, the pound slipped for a second day versus the dollar, giving back some of its rally from earlier in the week.These are the main moves in markets:StocksThe S&P 500 Index fell 0.9% at the close of trading in New York; it lost 1% for the week.The Stoxx Europe 600 Index added 0.9%.The MSCI AC Asia Pacific Index fell 0.1%.CurrenciesThe Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index gained 0.1%.The British pound declined 0.4% to $1.3076.The euro fell 0.3% to $1.1027.The Japanese yen rose 0.2% to 109.29 per dollar.BondsThe yield on 10-year Treasuries fell five basis points 1.69%.Britain’s 10-year yield dipped three basis points to 0.56%.Germany’s 10-year yield fell three basis points to -0.34%.CommoditiesWest Texas Intermediate crude declined 2.2% to $54.39 a barrel.Gold rose 0.5% to $1,571.30 an ounce.\--With assistance from Cecile Gutscher, Adam Haigh and Brian Chappatta.To contact the reporters on this story: Brendan Walsh in Austin at bwalsh8@bloomberg.net;Vildana Hajric in New York at vhajric1@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Christopher Anstey at canstey@bloomberg.net, ;Jeremy Herron at jherron8@bloomberg.net, Brendan Walsh, Randall JensenFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
- Yahoo Finance UK
What to Watch: PMI boost, Just Eat probe, European stocks rebound
A daily overview of the top business, market and economic stories you should be watching today in the UK and abroad.
- Yahoo Finance UK
Markets bounce back despite rising coronavirus death toll
Stock markets across Europe bounced back despite the widening quarantine in China over the coronavirus and the rising death toll.
- FX Empire
Asian Shares Steady after WHO Says ‘Too Early’ to Call Corona Virus Outbreak Global Health Emergency
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday said at a press conference the outbreak did not yet constitute a global public health emergency.
- Bloomberg
For Japan’s Bullish Chartists, Stocks Could Rally Like It’s 1989
(Bloomberg) -- Follow Bloomberg on Telegram for all the investment news and analysis you need.Japan’s stock market could rally toward levels unseen since before the nation’s economic bubble burst about three decades ago, if so-called golden cross patterns are any guide.For that to happen, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average would have to climb enough so that its 12-month moving average goes above its 24-month average, forming a golden cross, according to Yukihiro Takahashi, a manager at Ichiyoshi Securities Co. in Tokyo.Definitions of such technical terms differ from analyst to analyst, based on moving averages for various time periods as well as other factors. In Takahashi’s analysis, golden crosses have occurred four times on the Nikkei 225 since 1980, with the most recent being in January 2013, when the gauge extended a rally that drove it higher for six of the past seven years.“A golden cross would require the Nikkei 225 to surpass the highest price seen in October 2018,” Takahashi said. “Even if it doesn’t form this month, looking at the MA lines, it will most certainly form next month.”Takahashi points out that a golden cross formed in the 1980s, during which Japan’s asset bubble boosted stocks to a record high in 1989. A new golden cross would signal the Nikkei 225 can keep advancing until August 2022 and possibly reach 29,000, he said. The trend will continue if the benchmark average’s 60-month moving average maintains its upward slope, he added.Naohiko Miyata, the chief technical analyst at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co., said the golden cross and other technical indicators suggest the market is in the midst of a strong trend. The blue-chip stock gauge has recovered about half of the drop from its 1989 peak to its 2009 low.“At a minimum, the Nikkei 225 could climb to 28,000, and it’s not a dream for the gauge to try for 30,000 next fiscal year,” Miyata said.The Nikkei 225 was little changed at 23,782.67 as of 11:30 a.m. in Tokyo.While the technical picture may look good for stocks, eventually the rosy outlook will have to be backed by fundamentals, said Takashi Nakamura, a senior strategist at Tokai Tokyo Research Institute Co. There’s still a risk that the market may retreat given its rapid gains toward the end of last year, he said. The Nikkei 225 climbed 8.7% during the October-December period, its biggest quarterly advance in two years.“Right now, long-term market views are completely split between fundamentals and technicals,” Nakamura said. “Markets are carrying risk as shares are driven upward without strong fundamentals to back it up.”(Adds Nikkei 225’s current level in eighth paragraph)To contact the reporters on this story: Toshiro Hasegawa in Tokyo at thasegawa6@bloomberg.net;Shoko Oda in Tokyo at soda13@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Lianting Tu at ltu4@bloomberg.net, Naoto Hosoda, Kurt SchusslerFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
- Reuters
Global markets: China virus fears spook U.S. shares, oil prices
U.S. shares and crude prices fell sharply on Friday as investors moved into safe-haven assets amid concerns that a spreading virus from China would curb travel and hurt economic demand. MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe shed 0.41%, weighed down by Wall Street as the benchmark S&P 500 logged its biggest one-day percentage drop since Oct 8. Safe-haven assets like the Japanese yen and gold saw increases, while 10-year U.S. treasury yields touched their lowest point in about three months.
- Reuters
China virus fears spook U.S. shares, oil prices
U.S. shares and crude prices fell sharply on Friday as investors moved into safe-haven assets amid concerns that a spreading virus from China would curb travel and hurt economic demand. MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe shed 0.41%, weighed down by Wall Street as the benchmark S&P 500 logged its biggest one-day percentage drop since Oct 8. Safe-haven assets like the Japanese yen and gold saw increases, while 10-year U.S. treasury yields touched their lowest point in about three months.
- Bloomberg
Stocks Edge Higher With Virus Fallout in Focus: Markets Wrap
(Bloomberg) -- For a fresh perspective on the stories that matter in Australian business and politics, sign up for our new weekly newsletter.U.S. stocks eked out a small advance, dodging the losses that took hold in Europe and Asia, as investors evaluated the risk that a deadly respiratory virus spreading from China could curb global growth. Treasuries climbed and oil dropped.Gains for big tech companies overshadowed losses for makers of consumer goods, providing just enough lift to send the Nasdaq Composite Index to a fresh record high. Other markets showed greater concern about the potential fallout, with oil sinking to its lowest level since November on speculation the virus could dent demand. Government bonds and the yen rallied as investors sought out havens.Earlier, China’s Shanghai Composite Index plunged 2.8% on the last trading day before the Lunar New Year holiday, the biggest drop in eight months, as traders considered the virus’s potential impact on travel and shopping.While corporate earnings have beaten analysts’ estimates this season amid signals that global growth is picking up, investors are cautious with stocks trading at lofty valuations. Fewer than 20 deaths have been tallied from the Chinese virus, and the World Health Organization opted against calling the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. But traders are hesitant to take on risk on the chance the outbreak could develop into something like the much more devastating SARS respiratory illness that emerged in China 17 years ago.“There is concern that this may become a much bigger event,” said Quincy Krosby, chief market strategist for Prudential Financial Inc. “The market is vulnerable to a pullback or a consolidation.”Elsewhere, emerging-market stocks fell to a two-week low. Mining companies led the Stoxx Europe 600 Index lower. The euro weakened after policy makers held interest rates steady and European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said officials will look into the potential side effects of negative interest rates.Read more on the impact from the virus:Singapore Reports Virus Case as China Limits Some TravelDeadly Virus Turns Wuhan Into a No-Go Zone for AirlinesChinese Stocks Plunge in Worst End to Lunar Year on RecordHere are some events to watch out for this week:Companies including Intel Corp. and Procter & Gamble Co. will post results.Eurozone PMI data is due Friday.The World Economic Forum, the annual gathering of global leaders in politics, business and culture, continues in Davos, Switzerland.These are the main moves in markets:StocksThe S&P 500 Index rose 0.1% at the close of trade in New York; the Nasdaq Composite added 0.2%.The Stoxx Europe 600 Index fell 0.7%.The MSCI Asia Pacific Index dipped 0.8%.CurrenciesThe Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index rose 0.1%.The euro fell 0.3% to $1.1055.The British pound fell 0.2% to $1.3121.The Japanese yen gained 0.3% to 109.49 per dollar.BondsThe yield on 10-year Treasuries dipped four basis points to 1.73%.Germany’s 10-year yield fell five basis points to -0.31%.Britain’s 10-year yield decreased five basis points to 0.59%.CommoditiesWest Texas Intermediate crude decreased 2% to $55.59 a barrel.Gold rose 0.3% to $1,562.72 an ounce.\--With assistance from Gregor Stuart Hunter, Adam Haigh, Todd White and David Wilson.To contact the reporter on this story: Claire Ballentine in New York at cballentine@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Sam Potter at spotter33@bloomberg.net, ;Jeremy Herron at jherron8@bloomberg.net, Brendan WalshFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
- FX Empire
Mainland China Shares Plunge Ahead of World Health Organization Global Health Emergency Decision
Australian employment outpaced forecasts for a second month in December pushing the jobless rate to a nine-month low, a much-needed improvement that could forestall a near-term cut in interest rates. Japan posted a deficit for a second straight year last year as its exports were hurt by a slowdown of demand in China amid a tariff war with the United States.
- Reuters
Global Markets: Coronavirus fears weigh on global equity markets
The biggest tumble in Chinese stocks in more than eight months led global equity markets lower on Thursday as concern mounted about the coronavirus outbreak in China. "Ultimately, the coronavirus is a slow-burning but important story for markets that is likely to last for months rather than just a few days," said TD Securities' European head of currency strategy, Ned Rumpeltin. European stocks followed Asian markets lower, with the pan-European STOXX 600 index down 0.71%.
- Reuters
Coronavirus fears weigh on global equity markets
The biggest tumble in Chinese stocks in more than eight months led global equity markets lower on Thursday as concern mounted about the coronavirus outbreak in China. "Ultimately, the coronavirus is a slow-burning but important story for markets that is likely to last for months rather than just a few days," said TD Securities' European head of currency strategy, Ned Rumpeltin. European stocks followed Asian markets lower, with the pan-European STOXX 600 index down 0.71%.
- Bloomberg
Stocks Edge Higher in Choppy Trading; Oil Sinks: Markets Wrap
(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stocks edged higher in volatile trading as investors considered the potential for a virus that emerged in China to eventually dent economic growth. Oil tumbled on concern the market is oversupplied.The S&P 500 Index ended the day up less than 0.1%, lifted by gains in technology shares and positive earnings reports but held back by concern that the deadly respiratory illness could spread, even as China moved to contain the outbreak. IBM rose the most in four months after revenue beat estimates. Tesla Inc.’s market value soared past $100 billion.With stocks trading near records, investors are on alert for any developments that could derail the momentum. They have taken a cautious stance amid concern the coronavirus that has already killed 17 people could turn into a global pandemic.“The fear is that it could hurt growth, that this could continue to have an impact on global markets that are already reeling from the impacts of trade,” said Matt Forester, chief investment officer at BNY Mellon’s Lockwood Advisors.Elsewhere, the Stoxx Europe 600 Index dipped as Italian banks slumped amid a fresh bout of political turmoil.West Texas oil fell below $58 a barrel as ample global supplies offset the loss of exports from Libya. The pound strengthened after Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal cleared its final hurdles in Parliament.Here are some events to watch out for this week:Companies including Texas Instruments Inc., Intel Corp. and Procter & Gamble Co. will post results.Policy decisions are due from central banks in Indonesia and the euro region.The World Economic Forum, the annual gathering of global leaders in politics, business and culture, continues in Davos, Switzerland.These are the main moves in markets:StocksThe S&P 500 Index rose less than 0.1% at the close of trade in New York.The Stoxx Europe 600 Index fell 0.1%.The MSCI Asia Pacific Index added 0.6%.CurrenciesThe Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index fell 0.1%.The British pound jumped 0.6% to $1.3134.The euro rose 0.1% to $1.109.The Japanese yen was little changed at 109.87 per dollar.BondsThe yield on 10-year Treasuries fell one basis point to 1.77%.Germany’s 10-year yield dipped one basis point to -0.26%.Britain’s 10-year yield was little changed at 0.63%.CommoditiesWest Texas Intermediate crude dropped 2.9% to $56.67 a barrel.Gold was little changed at $1,558.55 an ounce.\--With assistance from Christopher Anstey, Andrew Janes, Adam Haigh, Todd White, Robert Brand, Sheela Tobben, Vildana Hajric and Sarah Ponczek.To contact the reporter on this story: Claire Ballentine in New York at cballentine@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Sam Potter at spotter33@bloomberg.net, ;Jeremy Herron at jherron8@bloomberg.net, Brendan WalshFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
- FX Empire
Asian Shares Recover from Early Weakness; South Korean KOSPI Jumps on Surge in Government Spending
Seoul shares ended sharply higher after data showed South Korea’s government spending surge helped the economy post its fastest quarterly growth in more than two years.
- Reuters
Global stocks edge up, oil drops as China virus worries abate
World stock markets gained back some ground on Wednesday as investors took heart from measures to curb the spread of a flu-like virus from China, while oil prices tumbled on a forecast for a market surplus. Worries about contagion of the coronavirus and its effect on the global economy, particularly as millions in China travel for upcoming Lunar New Year festivities, had knocked the world's top equity markets off record peaks. Deaths from the coronavirus rose to 17 on Wednesday, with more than 540 cases confirmed.
- Bloomberg
Stocks Slide After Deadly Virus Migrates to U.S.: Markets Wrap
(Bloomberg) -- U.S. equities fell on reports that a deadly respiratory illness that originated in China had migrated to the U.S., spurring concern about the potential economic impact.Industrial and consumer shares were among the worst performers as the S&P 500 Index pulled back from a record. That followed retreats in Asia and Europe, with Hong Kong the hardest hit. Luxury stocks posted their biggest drop since October on worries the virus will disrupt spending during a key Chinese holiday period. Banks declined after UBS Group AG missed profitability targets; Boeing slumped on speculation its 737 Max jet wouldn’t be cleared to fly until mid-year.The risk-off mood helped support some traditional haven assets, and the yen and Treasuries advanced.Read more: China Virus Concern Hammers Asian Stock SentimentThe emergence of the illness in China -- and concerns it will now spread outside the country -- stirred memories of the SARS outbreak 17 years ago for some market watchers, though it isn’t yet as serious. The developments provided an excuse for investors who bid up U.S. stocks to record highs last week to take a pause and assess the outlook for global growth and corporate profits as earnings season picks up.“History tells us that most of these situations can be contained,” said Sameer Samana, senior global market strategist for Wells Fargo Investment Institute. “What we would watch for is does it become a big enough issue that it actually starts to change consumer behavior?”Elsewhere, Germany’s DAX Index briefly surpassed the peak reached two years ago. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index posted a second day of losses. The Bank of Japan kept policy unchanged as expected, though raised its economic growth forecast for 2020. Crude held below $60 a barrel as ample global supplies offset the loss of exports from Libya.Here are some events to watch out for this week:Companies including IBM, Procter & Gamble and Hyundai will post results.Policy decisions are due from central banks in Canada, Indonesia and the euro zone.The World Economic Forum, the annual gathering of global leaders in politics, business and culture, is underway in Davos, Switzerland.These are the main moves in markets:StocksThe S&P 500 Index fell 0.3% at the close of trading in New York.The Stoxx Europe 600 Index sank 0.1%.The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell 1.2%.CurrenciesThe Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index rose 0.1%.The euro slipped 0.1% to $1.1088.The British pound gained 0.3% to $1.3045.The Japanese yen climbed 0.3% to 109.81 per dollar.BondsThe yield on 10-year Treasuries dipped five basis points to 1.77%.Germany’s 10-year yield fell three basis points to -0.25%.Britain’s 10-year yield fell two basis points to 0.63%.CommoditiesWest Texas Intermediate crude slumped 0.3% to $58.34 a barrel.Gold fell 0.1% to $1,558.62 an ounce.\--With assistance from Livia Yap, Eric Lam, Ranjeetha Pakiam, Cormac Mullen, Todd White, Sam Potter and Claire Ballentine.To contact the reporter on this story: Sarah Ponczek in New York at sponczek2@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Jeremy Herron at jherron8@bloomberg.net, Brendan WalshFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
- FX Empire
Escalating Coronavirus Outbreak Pressures Asian Indexes; Hong Kong Tumbles on Moody’s Downgrade
Stocks in Hong Kong led losses regionally among major Asian markets on Tuesday after ratings agency Moody’s cut its rating for the city to Aa3 from Aa2 on Monday.
- Reuters
Risk assets fall as Chinese virus triggers anxiety
Risk assets took a hit across the globe on Tuesday, while the Japanese yen and U.S. Treasury prices gained, as financial markets reacted to mounting concern about a new strain of flu-like virus out of China. The World Health Organization called a meeting for Wednesday to consider declaring a global health emergency while authorities in China confirmed the coronavirus could spread through human contact. Traders recalled the fallout from a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2002-2003 that killed about 800 people and which China initially covered up.
- Reuters
Global Markets: Risk assets fall as Chinese virus triggers anxiety
Risk assets took a hit across the globe on Tuesday, while the Japanese yen and U.S. Treasury prices gained, as financial markets reacted to mounting concern about a new strain of flu-like virus out of China. The World Health Organization called a meeting for Wednesday to consider declaring a global health emergency while authorities in China confirmed the coronavirus could spread through human contact. Traders recalled the fallout from a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2002-2003 that killed about 800 people and which China initially covered up.
- Yahoo Finance UK
What to Watch: Fever-Tree crashes, Sirius deal and house prices leap
A daily overview of the top business, market and economic stories you should be watching today in the UK and abroad.
- FX Empire
Asian Shares Mostly Higher; Chinese Pharmaceuticals Soar on Coronavirus Fears
Chinese pharmaceutical stocks skyrocketed Monday as China reported more than 100 new cases of pneumonia caused by a new strain of coronavirus.
- FX Empire
Asian Shares Post Solid Weekly Gains Amid Trade Deal Signing, China GDP Growth
The United States removed China from a list of countries considered currency manipulators just two days before top trade negotiators for Washington and Beijing signed a key “Phase One” trade deal, the Treasury Department announced on January 13.
- Bloomberg
Stocks Surge to Record Highs; Dollar Strengthens: Markets Wrap
(Bloomberg) -- Want the lowdown on European markets? In your inbox before the open, every day. Sign up here.Stocks extended this week’s relentless push to all-time highs as positive U.S. and China economic data, low interest rates and easing trade tensions propelled investor optimism. The dollar strengthened and gold climbed.The benchmark S&P 500 Index, along with the tech heavy Nasdaq Composite, set record highs for an eighth consecutive trading session. Boeing Co. slumped after a Fitch downgrade, weighing on the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index closed at a record, posting its biggest gain since mid-December.“The headwinds of last year have dissipated and we’ve gotten more clarity on the backdrop. That clarity is helping to solidify marginal improvement in risk assets,” said Jack Janasiewicz, a portfolio manager at Natixis Investment Managers Solutions, which oversees $1 trillion “The big one is going to earnings, and so far so good.”The longest-dated Treasuries dipped after the U.S. announced plans for a new 20-year bond. The dollar increased against its major peers including the euro and pound, with the latter reversing gains while gilts turned higher after U.K. retail sales data disappointed.Investors in risk assets headed into the weekend looking confident after the completion of an initial Sino-American trade deal and solid results from the biggest banks on Wall Street. U.S. markets are closed Monday for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. The earnings season continues to ramp up next week with Procter & Gamble Co. and Intel Corp. reporting, but for now most economic data is supporting sentiment: China GDP was in line with estimates, while housing starts surged in the U.S.“At this stage of the game we’ve got a Fed that’s committed to staying on hold, you’ve got a belief that there’s a signal of easing, and some improvement in the economic data globally,” Kathy Jones, chief fixed income strategist at Charles Schwab, said on Bloomberg Television. “That’s helping propel markets.”Elsewhere, oil slumped for a second week as optimism following the signing of the America-China trade agreement offset signs that supplies remain plentiful.Emerging-market equities also climbed for a seventh week of gains.These are the major market moves: \--With assistance from Elena Popina.To contact the reporter on this story: Sarah Ponczek in New York at sponczek2@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Jeremy Herron at jherron8@bloomberg.net, Dave LiedtkaFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
- FX Empire
Asian Indexes Boosted by China GDP Growth; Australian Shares Hit Another Record High
Other Chinese economic data released alongside the GDP numbers showed growth in industrial output and retail sales for the month of December. Analysts read the data from Beijing positively, although there was still some caution about the partial trade deal with the U.S.
