A screen on the trading floor displays a news conference with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell following the rate announcement on Wednesday.
Equities

Japan's Nikkei average rises 2.1% following U.S. rate cut

Yen's limited appreciation driving stocks higher, Monex says

19 September 2024
All eyes are on U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell in anticipation of a possible big 50 basis point cut this week or a smaller 25 basis point one.
Currencies

Yen highest since July 2023 as market awaits harsh Fed rate cut

Japanese currency hits 139.58 against dollar ahead of upcoming meeting

16 September 2024
The Thai baht gained 6% against the dollar between Aug. 1 and Sept. 12 thanks partly to a rise in exports.
Currencies

Thai, Malaysian and Indonesian currencies gain as dollar weakens

Southeast Asia enjoys growth; political fears sink Turkish lira, Mexican peso

14 September 2024
The dollar-yen rate is shown on a screen at a trading desk in Tokyo on Sept. 13. (Photo by Yuji Murakami)
Currencies

Yen hits strongest level this year on speculation of big Fed rate cut

Japanese currency's surge comes just days after reaching previous high

13 September 2024
Comments by Bank of Japan policymaker Junko Nakagawa pushed up the yen on Sept. 11. (Photo by Arisa Moriyama)
Currencies

Yen surges to strongest this year on BOJ policymaker's remark

Junko Nakagawa signals central bank's readiness to raise rates if inflation on track

11 September 2024
Markets in Laos offer an array of tempting treats, but locals are struggling with dwindling purchasing power. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Inflation

Laos hit hard by inflation, currency woes and plunging spending power

Experts warn nation must cut debt to China and others to ease economic burden

9 September 2024
Japan stocks' historic volatility at the beginning of August was caused by demand-supply dynamics rather than fundamentals, a trading manager says. (Source photos by Yo Inoue and Satoko Kawasaki)
Market Spotlight

Japan stock volatility chased away speculators, lured long-term investors

After a month, market sources look back at historic rout and share their takeaways

2 September 2024
The yuan strengthened to its highest point against the dollar in more than a year on Aug. 30.
Currencies

Yuan carry trade dims amid U.S. rate cut expectations

Trade favored by Chinese exporters also hit by Japan stock turbulence

31 August 2024
The Bank of Thailand is watching for government policies under new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. (Photo by Rie Ishii)
Currencies

Thai baht hits 13-month high against dollar on economic hopes

Digital wallet policy, U.S. rate speculation sway exchange rates

26 August 2024
Japanese yen traded at 143.59 to the dollar at one point on Monday morning, the highest level since Aug. 5. (Nikkei montage / Source photos by Reuters, Uichiro Kasai and Mizuho Miyazaki)
Currencies

Yen carry trade to grow once volatility ebbs, strategists say

Despite recent trend, Japan-U.S. interest rate spread to remain wide in short term

26 August 2024
With Malaysian equities leading the way, the rally in Southeast Asian stocks has been underpinned by expectations of a September rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve.
Markets

Investors turn to ASEAN markets as inflation's grip loosens

Weakening dollar provides tailwind to region's high-growth economies

26 August 2024
Japanese companies' strong earnings during the April-June period encouraged investors to buy while their stock prices were down. (Photo by Shunsuke Inaba)
Equities

Japanese stocks erase losses from tailspin on brighter U.S. outlook

Companies' strong April-June performances boost share prices

22 August 2024
Analysts and investors will be looking for signs of easing in U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's speech at the central bank's research symposium at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. 
Currencies

Malaysia, Singapore currencies rise on tight policies before Jackson Hole

South Korea and Taiwan's currencies slump, reflecting U.S. recession risk

20 August 2024
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand in Wellington. The central bank signaled more cuts ahead depending on how inflation evolves.
Economy

N.Z. cuts rates for first time in over 4 years, flags more easing

Kiwi dollar tumbles as markets bet on more aggressive easing path

14 August 2024
The dollar is coming down from a prolonged period of strength, boosting Asian currencies. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Currencies

Ringgit, baht gain against dollar on speculation of U.S. rate cut

Asian central banks seen weighing own moves as inflationary pressures ease

13 August 2024
A soldier with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force takes part in a military drill on the uninhabited Irisuna island close to Okinawa, Japan, in November 2023.
Opinion

Japan must hedge currency risk to avoid defense funding crisis

Biggest military buildup since World War II at risk from fluctuating forex

13 August 2024
Foreign ministers of Southeast Asian countries pose for a photo in Vientiane on July 25. ASEAN now faces significant centrifugal forces amid the reshaping of global orders. 
Comment

OECD or BRICS? Key members' differences might weaken ASEAN unity

Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand all pursue different 'diversification' strategies

12 August 2024
EBS is a platform for forex transactions operated by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group. It played a major role in interbank transactions in the late 1990s. (Photo by Yumi Kotani)
Currencies

EBS for forex faces challenges as trading platforms diversify

More banks and hedge funds use exclusive systems, and new platforms gaining momentum

12 August 2024
According to the International Monetary Fund, as of March 2024, the total balance of global foreign reserves stood at $12.3499 trillion, with the dollar accounting for 58.9% based on currency allocation.
Currencies

Central banks dump dollars and yuan in favor of gold

The 'stateless currency' shines as a haven amid geopolitical tension

10 August 2024
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda speaks at a press conference following a monetary policy meeting on July 31. (Photo by Yutaka Miyaguchi)
Opinion

BOJ still on hawkish track despite dovish bid to cool market turmoil

Central bank must improve communication, economy judgment and risk assessment

10 August 2024
Companies listed on Tokyo's Prime market have seen three consecutive years of record high profits. (Photo by Konosuke Urata)
Business trends

Japan corporate profits up 10% on weak yen, AI demand

Toyota, Hitachi among winners in April-June as China slump drags on others

10 August 2024
The mighty dollar has taken a 10% hit since early July from a suddenly strengthening Japanese yen. (Photo by Yuji Murakami)
Currencies

Currency strategists see yen closing out the year in the mid-140s

Speculators scurry to reduce their bets on the yen's fall

9 August 2024
Like the Japanese yen, the Chinese yuan has been used to make carry trades -- borrowing in currencies of countries with low yields and investing in those with higher ones.
Currencies

Chinese yuan rally puts central bank's next moves in spotlight

Firmer currency could enable more monetary easing, analysts say, with caveats

7 August 2024
Nikkei Stock Average rose as much as 3,453.38 points, or 10.98%, to 34,911.80 at one point. (Photo by Nanami Sato)
Equities

Japan stocks rebound 3,217 points for their largest single-day rise

Strong U.S. service sector data for July eases concerns of recession

6 August 2024