Nikkei May Take Further Damage On Friday

RTTNews | vor 76 Tagen

(RTTNews) - The Japanese stock market has alternated between positive and negative finishes through the last five trading days since the end of the two-day winning streak in which it had rallied more than 370 points or 1 percent. The Nikkei 225 now rests just above the 36,790-point plateau and it may extend its losses on Friday.

The global forecast for the Asian markets is soft thanks to ongoing tariff concerns and their effect on the world economy. The European and U.S. markets were down and the Asian bourses are expected to follow that lead.

The Nikkei finished slightly lower on Thursday as losses from the automobile producers and technology stocks were mitigated by support from the financial sector.

For the day, the index slipped 29.06 points or 0.08 percent to finish at 36,790.03 after trading between 36,776.94 and 37,326.27.

Among the actives, Nissan Motor tanked 3.92 percent, while Mazda Motor retreated 1.44 percent, Toyota Motor declined 1.54 percent, Honda Motor slumped 1.21 percent, Softbank Group fell 0.32 percent, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial rallied 1.40 percent, Mizuho Financial jumped 1.75 percent, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial spiked 1.90 percent, Mitsubishi Electric climbed 1.25 percent, Sony Group shed 0.63 percent, Panasonic Holdings lost 0.50 percent and Hitachi sank 0.54 percent.

The lead from Wall Street is negative as the major averages opened in the red and continued to track lower throughout the session.

The Dow tumbled 537.36 points or 1.30 percent to finish at 40,813.57, while the NASDAQ dropped 345.44 points or 1.96 percent to close at 17.303.01 and the S&P 500 sank 77.78 points or 1.39 percent to end at 5,521.52.

The sell-off on Wall Street came amid ongoing concerns about President Donald Trump's trade policies after he suggested the U.S. would respond to the European Union's countermeasures with even more tariffs.

In economic news, the Labor Department said producer prices in the U.S. were unexpectedly flat in February. Also, the Labor Department unexpectedly saw a modest decrease by first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits last week.

Oil prices fell on Thursday amid prospects of excess supply in the market, and on concerns about the outlook for demand. West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for April ended lower by $1.13 or 1.7 percent at $66.55 a barrel.

U.S. Economic Shrinks Slightly Less Than Previously Estimated In Q1

A report released by the Commerce Department on Thursday showed the U.S. economy shrank by slightly less than previously estimated in the first quarter of 2025. The Commerce Department said real gross domestic product edged down by a revised 0.2 percent in the first quarter compared to the previously reported 0.3 percent dip. Economists had expected the modest decrease to be unrevised.

RTTNews | vor 3Std 33 Minuten

U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Climb More Than Expected To 240,000

First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits rose by more than expected in the week ended May 24th, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Thursday. The report said initial jobless claims climbed to 240,000, an increase of 14,000 from the previous week's revised level of 226,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to inch up to 230,000.

RTTNews | vor 3Std 35 Minuten

Hormel Foods Recalls 256K Pounds Of Canned Beef Stew Product

Hormel Foods Corp. is recalling around 256,185 pounds of canned beef stew product that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically wood, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service or FSIS. The Tucker, Georgia-based branded food major's recall involves 20-oz. metal cans containing "Dinty Moore BEEF STEW" with "BEST BY FEB 2028".

RTTNews | vor 4Std 10 Minuten

UK Vehicle Manufacturing Logs Weakest Start To Year Since 2009: SMMT

UK automotive manufacturing registered its weakest start to a year since 2009, the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders, or SMMT, said Thursday. Car and commercial vehicle production decreased 15.8 percent on a yearly basis to 59,203 units in April. Auto production fell to the lowest level for the month since 1952, excluding 2020 when the first Covid lockdown effectively saw manufacturing c

RTTNews | vor 4Std 38 Minuten

Bay Street Looks Set To Start On Firm Note

Canadian shares look headed for a firm start on Thursday, with encouraging earnings by Royal Bank of Canada and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, and a U.S. court ruling against U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff moves set to lift sentiment.

RTTNews | vor 4Std 52 Minuten