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Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 0.2% to finish at 66,115.60,
after the government reported that both imports and exports rose
last month from a year earlier, as the weakening yen raised the
value of both when converted from dollars to yen.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 added 0.3% to 8,823.00. South Korea's
Kospi rose 0.7% to 6,797.70. The Hang Seng dipped nearly 1.0% to
24,892.66, while the Shanghai Composite was little changed,
adding less than 0.1% to 3,867.03.
More climbs for oil prices have come after the continued attacks
between the United States and Iran. Benchmark U.S. crude added
$2.90 to $87.24 a barrel. Brent crude, the international
standard, rose $2.91 to $93.92 a barrel.
“Oil makes the situation more difficult because Japan imports
most of its energy. A weaker yen and higher crude prices arrive
together like two waves hitting the same sea wall,” said analyst
Stephen Innes, a former trader.
In currency trading, the U.S. dollar inched down to 163.11
Japanese yen from 163.14 yen. The euro cost $1.1409, up from
$1.1404.
Rising oil prices are again pushing inflation higher, just as
increases for prices were slowing more than economists expected.
That in turn could push the Federal Reserve and other central
banks to raise interest rates, which would slow economies and
undercut prices for stocks and other investments.
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