What's Affecting Markets Today
Asian markets soft to start week
Asia-Pacific markets declined on Wednesday following Japan’s trade data for July, which showed a 10.3% year-on-year rise in exports and a 16.6% increase in imports. These figures fell short of economists’ expectations, with exports coming in lower and imports higher than anticipated. As a result, Japan reported a trade deficit of 621.84 billion yen ($4.28 billion), significantly above the expected 330.7 billion yen.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.88%, and the Topix fell 0.6% after the data release. The yen’s recent strengthening, following the Bank of Japan’s rate hike in July, has pressured exporters, key drivers of the Nikkei 225.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index led regional losses, down 1.38%, dragged by technology and consumer cyclical stocks, with JD.com falling 11.4% after Walmart considered selling its stake. In mainland China, the CSI 300 declined 0.57%. South Korea’s Kospi edged down 0.23%, while the small-cap Kosdaq dropped 1.13%.
ASX Stocks
ASX 200 - 8,001.4 (+0.1%)
Key Highlights:
Leaders
WTC Wisetech Global Ltd (+17.73%)
CHC Charter Hall Group (+16.12%)
HLS Healius Ltd (+13.61%)
BXB Brambles Ltd (+8.68%)
MGH Maas Group Holdings Ltd (+7.37%)
Laggards
VNT Ventia Services Group Ltd (-6.49%)
OML Ooh!Media Ltd (-6.14%)
MAD Mader Group Ltd (-5.35%)
AUB AUB Group Ltd (-4.83%)
HLI Helia Group Ltd (-4.56%)
