Japan Households Trim Spending for Eighth Consecutive Month Amid higher Inflation

Japan's indexes rebounded after falling in four previous sessions as investors reviewed the rate outlook. 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 1%, the broader TOPIX traded around the flatline, and the yen strengthened to 156.03 against the U.S. dollar. 

The yen advanced more than 3% over the last three sessions, and investors are estimating a potential rate hike by the Bank of Japan as early as this month to contain inflationary pressures.  

Japan's Household Spending Declined Eighth Consecutive Month in July

Japan's household spending adjusted for inflation declined for the eighth consecutive month in July, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications.  

The spending declined partly because of lower temperatures and rising prices, government data showed. 

Households of two or more spent an average of 301,245 yen, or $1,930, which represents a 3.6% decline from a year ago, marking the fastest pace of decrease since January 2024, when it fell by 6.3%. 

Household spending is a key economic indicator of private consumption, which accounts for more than half of a country's gross domestic product. 

Spending on food and beverage eased 1.3% despite rising prices, but lower temperatures compared to a year ago pushed down demand for beverages. 

Energy and water bill outlays dropped 9.2% in July compared to a year ago, most likely due to reduced air conditioning use as a result of lower temperatures this month. 

The average monthly income of salaried households of at least two or more individuals fell 3.8%, after adjusting for inflation, to 689,476 yen, according to the ministry. 

Japan Indexes and Stocks 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 1% to 64,896.03, and the broader TOPIX edged down a fraction to 4,101.72. 

For the week, the Nikkei 2225 Stock Average declined 2.4%, and the broader TOPIX decreased 1.3%. 

The Nikkei 225 experienced a volatile week, dropping sharply mid-week before staging a late rebound on Friday. 

Kioxia Holdings increased 6.6% to ¥55,090.0, SoftBank Group jumped 10.2% to ¥5,525.0, Fujikura Technology advanced 3% to ¥5,100.0, and Taiyo Yuden soared 8.5% to ¥9,546.0. 

Japan Households Trim Spending for Eighth Consecutive Month Amid higher Inflation

Japan's indexes rebounded after falling in four previous sessions as investors reviewed the rate outlook. 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 1%, the broader TOPIX traded around the flatline, and the yen strengthened to 156.03 against the U.S. dollar. 

The yen advanced more than 3% over the last three sessions, and investors are estimating a potential rate hike by the Bank of Japan as early as this month to contain inflationary pressures.  

Japan's Household Spending Declined Eighth Consecutive Month in July

Japan's household spending adjusted for inflation declined for the eighth consecutive month in July, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications.  

The spending declined partly because of lower temperatures and rising prices, government data showed. 

Households of two or more spent an average of 301,245 yen, or $1,930, which represents a 3.6% decline from a year ago, marking the fastest pace of decrease since January 2024, when it fell by 6.3%. 

Household spending is a key economic indicator of private consumption, which accounts for more than half of a country's gross domestic product. 

Spending on food and beverage eased 1.3% despite rising prices, but lower temperatures compared to a year ago pushed down demand for beverages. 

Energy and water bill outlays dropped 9.2% in July compared to a year ago, most likely due to reduced air conditioning use as a result of lower temperatures this month. 

The average monthly income of salaried households of at least two or more individuals fell 3.8%, after adjusting for inflation, to 689,476 yen, according to the ministry. 

Japan Indexes and Stocks 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 1% to 64,896.03, and the broader TOPIX edged down a fraction to 4,101.72. 

For the week, the Nikkei 2225 Stock Average declined 2.4%, and the broader TOPIX decreased 1.3%. 

The Nikkei 225 experienced a volatile week, dropping sharply mid-week before staging a late rebound on Friday. 

Kioxia Holdings increased 6.6% to ¥55,090.0, SoftBank Group jumped 10.2% to ¥5,525.0, Fujikura Technology advanced 3% to ¥5,100.0, and Taiyo Yuden soared 8.5% to ¥9,546.0. 

Tech Sector Rebound Lifted Hang Seng and China Indexes

China's indexes rebounded on Friday, tracking sharp gains in overnight trading in New York. 

The Hang Seng Index increased more than 2%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged up a fraction. 

Investors bid up stocks ahead of the release of inflation and international trade data after the latest business surveys pointed to recovering economic momentum. 

Investors balanced encouraging economic signals against persistent worry over domestic demand growth and the broader economic outlook. 

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index increased 2.1% to 25,754.10, and the CSI 300 Index advanced 0.5% to 4,575.49. 

For the week, the Hang Seng Index increased 1.3%, and the CSI 300 Index edged up 0.2%. 

Technology stocks led the advance, tracking gains in the sector on Wall Street. 

Cambricon Technologies Corp. decreased 1.6% to ¥1,082.52, Zhongji Innolight added 1% to HK $1,009.0, Hygon Information Technology inched up 0.05% to ¥246.33, and Eoptolink Technology gained 1.8% to ¥391.60. 

Tech Sector Rebound Lifted Hang Seng and China Indexes

China's indexes rebounded on Friday, tracking sharp gains in overnight trading in New York. 

The Hang Seng Index increased more than 2%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged up a fraction. 

Investors bid up stocks ahead of the release of inflation and international trade data after the latest business surveys pointed to recovering economic momentum. 

Investors balanced encouraging economic signals against persistent worry over domestic demand growth and the broader economic outlook. 

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index increased 2.1% to 25,754.10, and the CSI 300 Index advanced 0.5% to 4,575.49. 

For the week, the Hang Seng Index increased 1.3%, and the CSI 300 Index edged up 0.2%. 

Technology stocks led the advance, tracking gains in the sector on Wall Street. 

Cambricon Technologies Corp. decreased 1.6% to ¥1,082.52, Zhongji Innolight added 1% to HK $1,009.0, Hygon Information Technology inched up 0.05% to ¥246.33, and Eoptolink Technology gained 1.8% to ¥391.60. 

Snowflake soared 24% to $379.16 after the company posted strong results for the fiscal second quarter ending in July.  

Revenue jumped 35% to $1.6 billion from $1.2 billion, net loss shrank to $191.7 million from $297.9 million, and diluted loss per share eased to 55 cents from 89 cents a year ago. 

The company's newer AI products drove approximately half of the quarter's acceleration, with its AI coding agent CoCo crossing 9,100 accounts after adding more than 2,000 net new accounts during the quarter.

Core product revenue jumped 37% from a year ago to $1.49 billion, marking Snowflake's third consecutive quarter of accelerating growth, while its net revenue retention rate sustained a stable 126%.

The company lifted its full-year revenue outlook to $6.07 billion from the previous estimate of $5.84 billion, an increase of 36% from a year ago. 

Snowflake estimated an adjusted operating margin of 14.5%, higher than the previous estimate of 13.5%.  

Broadcom decreased 3.6% to $354.0 after the company reported results for its fiscal third quarter ending on August 2. 

Despite beating expectations and issuing a strong outlook, Broadcom's stock dropped as much as 6% in extended trading following the report.

Revenue surged 86% to $29.6 billion from $15.9 billion, net income advanced 216% to $13.1 billion from $4.2 billion, and diluted earnings per rose to $2.68 from 65 cents a year ago. 

Broadcom's AI semiconductor revenue soared 221% and 54% annually and sequentially to $16.7 billion, driven by robust demand for custom AI accelerators and networking tools.

"In Q4 the momentum continues, and we expect AI semiconductor revenue to accelerate to $21.7 billion, up 236% from a year ago," said Hock Tan, president and CEO of Broadcom Inc.

Across business segments, semiconductor solutions revenue advanced 127% from a year ago to $20.8 billion, while infrastructure software revenue climbed 29% to $8.8 billion.

U.S. Averages Rested As Bond Yields and Crude Oil Prices Stabilized

U.S. stocks traded mixed as bond yields and crude oil prices stabilized. 

The S&P 500 Index traded flat, and the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.1% as rising Middle East tensions dampened market sentiment. 

In Wednesday's trading, major U.S. averages edged up about 0.5%, breaking a three-day losing streak fueled by geopolitical and interest rate concerns.  

Global Treasury yields and crude oil prices eased from their recent highs, providing a much-needed breather for investors. 

West Texas Intermediate futures hovered near $91 a barrel as fighting between the U.S. and Iran intensified. 

Strong earnings and revenue outlooks from major tech companies capitalizing on artificial intelligence lifted sentiment in the tech sector. 

Dell Technologies surged 16% following an upward revision to its annual revenue guidance, while Snowflake and Broadcom also pointed to robust demand for AI infrastructure and products.

Despite the slight easing of bond yields, investors remained concerned over rapidly rising U.S. federal government debt, which has now surpassed $40 trillion and is growing by one trillion dollars every 100 days. 

U.S. Movers 

Broadcom decreased 3.6% to $354.0 after the company reported results for its fiscal third quarter ending on August 2. 

Despite beating expectations and issuing a strong outlook, Broadcom's stock dropped as much as 6% in extended trading following the report.

Revenue surged 86% to $29.6 billion from $15.9 billion, net income advanced 216% to $13.1 billion from $4.2 billion, and diluted earnings per rose to $2.68 from 65 cents a year ago. 

Broadcom's AI semiconductor revenue soared 221% and 54% annually and sequentially to $16.7 billion, driven by robust demand for custom AI accelerators and networking tools.

"In Q4 the momentum continues, and we expect AI semiconductor revenue to accelerate to $21.7 billion, up 236% from a year ago," said Hock Tan, president and CEO of Broadcom Inc.

Across business segments, semiconductor solutions revenue advanced 127% from a year ago to $20.8 billion, while infrastructure software revenue climbed 29% to $8.8 billion.

Snowflake soared 24% to $379.16 after the company posted strong results for the fiscal second quarter ending in July.  

Revenue jumped 35% to $1.6 billion from $1.2 billion, net loss shrank to $191.7 million from $297.9 million, and diluted loss per share eased to 55 cents from 89 cents a year ago. 

The company's newer AI products drove approximately half of the quarter's acceleration, with its AI coding agent CoCo crossing 9,100 accounts after adding more than 2,000 net new accounts during the quarter.

Core product revenue jumped 37% from a year ago to $1.49 billion, marking Snowflake's third consecutive quarter of accelerating growth, while its net revenue retention rate sustained a stable 126%.

The company lifted its full-year revenue outlook to $6.07 billion from the previous estimate of $5.84 billion, an increase of 36% from a year ago. 

Snowflake estimated an adjusted operating margin of 14.5%, higher than the previous estimate of 13.5%.  

NYC Thursday

U.S. Movers 

U.S. Averages Rested As Bond Yields and Crude Oil Prices Stabilized

U.S. stocks traded mixed as bond yields and crude oil prices stabilized. 

The S&P 500 Index traded flat, and the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.1% as rising Middle East tensions dampened market sentiment. 

In Wednesday's trading, major U.S. averages edged up about 0.5%, breaking a three-day losing streak fueled by geopolitical and interest rate concerns.  

Global Treasury yields and crude oil prices eased from their recent highs, providing a much-needed breather for investors. 

West Texas Intermediate futures hovered near $91 a barrel as fighting between the U.S. and Iran intensified. 

Strong earnings and revenue outlooks from major tech companies capitalizing on artificial intelligence lifted sentiment in the tech sector. 

Dell Technologies surged 16% following an upward revision to its annual revenue guidance, while Snowflake and Broadcom also pointed to robust demand for AI infrastructure and products.

Despite the slight easing of bond yields, investors remained concerned over rapidly rising U.S. federal government debt, which has now surpassed $40 trillion and is growing by one trillion dollars every 100 days. 

U.S. Movers 

Broadcom decreased 3.6% to $354.0 after the company reported results for its fiscal third quarter ending on August 2. 

Despite beating expectations and issuing a strong outlook, Broadcom's stock dropped as much as 6% in extended trading following the report.

Revenue surged 86% to $29.6 billion from $15.9 billion, net income advanced 216% to $13.1 billion from $4.2 billion, and diluted earnings per rose to $2.68 from 65 cents a year ago. 

Broadcom's AI semiconductor revenue soared 221% and 54% annually and sequentially to $16.7 billion, driven by robust demand for custom AI accelerators and networking tools.

"In Q4 the momentum continues, and we expect AI semiconductor revenue to accelerate to $21.7 billion, up 236% from a year ago," said Hock Tan, president and CEO of Broadcom Inc.

Across business segments, semiconductor solutions revenue advanced 127% from a year ago to $20.8 billion, while infrastructure software revenue climbed 29% to $8.8 billion.

Snowflake soared 24% to $379.16 after the company posted strong results for the fiscal second quarter ending in July.  

Revenue jumped 35% to $1.6 billion from $1.2 billion, net loss shrank to $191.7 million from $297.9 million, and diluted loss per share eased to 55 cents from 89 cents a year ago. 

The company's newer AI products drove approximately half of the quarter's acceleration, with its AI coding agent CoCo crossing 9,100 accounts after adding more than 2,000 net new accounts during the quarter.

Core product revenue jumped 37% from a year ago to $1.49 billion, marking Snowflake's third consecutive quarter of accelerating growth, while its net revenue retention rate sustained a stable 126%.

The company lifted its full-year revenue outlook to $6.07 billion from the previous estimate of $5.84 billion, an increase of 36% from a year ago. 

Snowflake estimated an adjusted operating margin of 14.5%, higher than the previous estimate of 13.5%.  

MongoDB dropped 13% to $374.22 despite the database company reporting strong results in its fiscal second quarter and raising its outlook. 

Revenue increased 30% to $771.8 million from $591.4 million, net income swung to a profit of $40.9 million from a loss of $47.1 million, and diluted earnings per share swung to an income of 50 cents from a loss of 58 cents. 

The company estimated third-quarter revenue to range between $756 million and $761 million and net income per share to fall between breakeven and 5 cents. 

For the full year, the company estimated revenue to range between $2.99 billion and $3.03 billion, and net income to fall between 53 cents and 77 cents. 

 

Dell Technologies jumped 9% to $463.02 after the computer maker lifted its annual revenue estimate and better-than-expected fiscal second-quarter results ending in July. 

Revenue increased 58% to $46.9 billion from $29.8 billion, net income advanced 255% to $4.1 billion from $1.2 billion, and diluted earnings per share soared 273% to $6.34 from $1.70 a year ago. 

Dell Technologies returned a record $4.3 billion to shareholders in the second quarter through share repurchases and dividends. 

In addition, the company's board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of 63 cents per share payable on October 30 to shareholders on record on October 20. 

The company revised its full-year fiscal 2027 revenue to $192 billion, an increase of 69%; and its earnings per share estimate to $24.37, an increase of 181% from a year ago, respectively.   

The company previously estimated full-year fiscal 2027 revenue of $167 billion. 

Yen Rebounded Ahead of Possible Intervention, Financial Stocks Led Gainers In Tokyo

Japan's indexes edged higher, recouping some losses from previous sessions and tracking gains on Wall Street overnight. 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.4%, the broader TOPIX advanced 1%, and the yen strengthened to 157.77 against the U.S. dollar. 

Government bond yields hovered near multi-decade and multi-year highs worldwide as investors braced for prolonged borrowing costs. 

In the U.S., the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield edged slightly lower to 4.77%, while international markets saw a similar trend with U.K. gilts and Japanese government bonds trading near long-term highs.

International oil benchmarks marched higher after an exchange of airstrikes between the United States and Iran escalated geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. 

Brent crude futures rose to around $96 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate hovered above $91 amid rising fears of supply disruptions through the critical Strait of Hormuz. 

A stronger yen weighed on the earnings outlook of Japan's export-heavy industries, and investors held out for the Bank of Japan to revise rates higher after the mid-September meeting. 

The yen advanced on speculation that authorities had conducted a rate check for foreign exchange transactions, signaling a possible intervention in the imminent future.  

Japan Indexes and Stocks 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.4% to 64,575.29, and the broader TOPIX advanced 1% to 4,125.28. 

Tokyo Electron increased 1.2% to ¥53,750.0, Advantest Corp. edged up a fraction to ¥32,550.0, Kioxia Holdings advanced 0.8% to ¥51,390.0, and Taiyo Yuden Corp. gained 1.7% to ¥8,980.0. 

Financial stocks led gainers in Tokyo amid rising expectations of higher interest rates, and the yield on 10-year Japanese government bonds edged slightly lower to 2.97%. 

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group increased 2.5% to ¥3,776.0, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group advanced 2.5% to ¥7,148.0, and Mizuho Financial Group gained 2.2% to ¥8,865.0. 

Yen Rebounded Ahead of Possible Intervention, Financial Stocks Led Gainers In Tokyo

Japan's indexes edged higher, recouping some losses from previous sessions and tracking gains on Wall Street overnight. 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.4%, the broader TOPIX advanced 1%, and the yen strengthened to 157.77 against the U.S. dollar. 

Government bond yields hovered near multi-decade and multi-year highs worldwide as investors braced for prolonged borrowing costs. 

In the U.S., the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield edged slightly lower to 4.77%, while international markets saw a similar trend with U.K. gilts and Japanese government bonds trading near long-term highs.

International oil benchmarks marched higher after an exchange of airstrikes between the United States and Iran escalated geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. 

Brent crude futures rose to around $96 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate hovered above $91 amid rising fears of supply disruptions through the critical Strait of Hormuz. 

A stronger yen weighed on the earnings outlook of Japan's export-heavy industries, and investors held out for the Bank of Japan to revise rates higher after the mid-September meeting. 

The yen advanced on speculation that authorities had conducted a rate check for foreign exchange transactions, signaling a possible intervention in the imminent future.  

Japan Indexes and Stocks 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.4% to 64,575.29, and the broader TOPIX advanced 1% to 4,125.28. 

Tokyo Electron increased 1.2% to ¥53,750.0, Advantest Corp. edged up a fraction to ¥32,550.0, Kioxia Holdings advanced 0.8% to ¥51,390.0, and Taiyo Yuden Corp. gained 1.7% to ¥8,980.0. 

Financial stocks led gainers in Tokyo amid rising expectations of higher interest rates, and the yield on 10-year Japanese government bonds edged slightly lower to 2.97%. 

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group increased 2.5% to ¥3,776.0, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group advanced 2.5% to ¥7,148.0, and Mizuho Financial Group gained 2.2% to ¥8,865.0. 

China's Volatile Indexes Turned Higher, Service Sector Growth Accelerated In August

China's stock market indexes rebounded after losing ground earlier in the week, tracking gains in overnight trading in New York. 

The Hang Seng Index edged up 0.3%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index increased 0.4% as investors reviewed the latest update on the service sector. 

The RatingDog China General Services PMI increased to 51.4 in August from 50.4 in July, reinforcing signs of improving economic momentum in China. 

The composite index of business activity advanced to 52.1 in August from 50.8 in the previous month, driven by a stronger growth in the services sector and manufacturing sector. 

The manufacturing sector index edged up to 51.5 from 50.9, according to private surveys conducted by S&P Global. 

Earlier in the week, the official data showed business activity indexes edged slightly higher but remained in contraction, confirming resilience in export-linked activities.   

Government bond yields hovered near multi-decade and multi-year highs worldwide as investors braced for prolonged borrowing costs. 

In the U.S., the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield edged slightly lower to 4.77%, while international markets saw a similar trend with U.K. gilts and Japanese government bonds trading near long-term highs.

International oil benchmarks marched higher after an exchange of airstrikes between the United States and Iran escalated geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. 

Brent crude futures rose to around $96 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate hovered above $91 amid rising fears of supply disruptions through the critical Strait of Hormuz. 

The surge in energy costs is further complicating global central bank efforts to tame stubbornly sticky inflation.

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index increased 0.3% to 25,387.78, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged up 0.4% to 4,565.27. 

AI- and semiconductor-linked stocks rebounded on Thursday after losing ground in the previous three sessions. 

CXMT Corp. edged up 0.8% to ¥54.73, SMIC decreased 0.4% to HK $68.0, Zhongji Innolight gained 0.8% to HK $1,003.0, and Eoptolink Technology inched up 0.3% to ¥387.50.  

China's Volatile Indexes Turned Higher, Service Sector Growth Accelerates In August

China's stock market indexes rebounded after losing ground earlier in the week, tracking gains in overnight trading in New York. 

The Hang Seng Index edged up 0.3%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index increased 0.4% as investors reviewed the latest update on the service sector. 

The RatingDog China General Services PMI increased to 51.4 in August from 50.4 in July, reinforcing signs of improving economic momentum in China. 

The composite index of business activity advanced to 52.1 in August from 50.8 in the previous month, driven by a stronger growth in the services sector and manufacturing sector. 

The manufacturing sector index edged up to 51.5 from 50.9, according to private surveys conducted by S&P Global. 

Earlier in the week, the official data showed business activity indexes edged slightly higher but remained in contraction, confirming resilience in export-linked activities.   

Government bond yields hovered near multi-decade and multi-year highs worldwide as investors braced for prolonged borrowing costs. 

In the U.S., the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield edged slightly lower to 4.77%, while international markets saw a similar trend with U.K. gilts and Japanese government bonds trading near long-term highs.

International oil benchmarks marched higher after an exchange of airstrikes between the United States and Iran escalated geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. 

Brent crude futures rose to around $96 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate hovered above $91 amid rising fears of supply disruptions through the critical Strait of Hormuz. 

The surge in energy costs is further complicating global central bank efforts to tame stubbornly sticky inflation.

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index increased 0.3% to 25,387.78, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged up 0.4% to 4,565.27. 

AI- and semiconductor-linked stocks rebounded on Thursday after losing ground in the previous three sessions. 

CXMT Corp. edged up 0.8% to ¥54.73, SMIC decreased 0.4% to HK $68.0, Zhongji Innolight gained 0.8% to HK $1,003.0, and Eoptolink Technology inched up 0.3% to ¥387.50.