Asia Market News: Nikkei Enters a New Era with 40,000

Nikkei Breaks Through the 40,000 Barrier

On Monday, the Nikkei 225 was up 0.77% to 40,219. Significantly, the Nikkei broke through the 40,000 barrier for the first time in history, launching a new era for the Japanese equity markets.

Weaker-than-expected US economic indicators from Friday set the tone for the Monday session. However, expectations of a shift in interest rate trends remain, with the markets betting on an April Bank of Japan pivot from negative rates.

Nonetheless, the BoJ has signaled that policy will remain accommodative after exiting negative rates. Investors also expect improved productivity to boost earnings as companies adopt AI.

A stronger USD/JPY contributed to the morning gains. The USD/JPY was up 0.07% to 150.160 on Monday morning. The Yen was on the back foot despite an unexpected surge in capital spending. Capital spending jumped by 16.4% year-on-year in Q4 after rising by 3.4% in Q3. Economists forecast capital spending to moderate to 1.9% year-on-year.

In contrast, the Hang Seng Index and ASX 200 struggled at the start of the week, falling by 0.67% and 0.05%, respectively, in the morning session.

Investor apprehension before the start of the National People’s Congress likely pressured the Hang Seng Index. Investors expect lawmakers to deliver meaningful fiscal stimulus to kick-start the Chinese economy and bolster the real-estate sector.

A larger-than-expected surge in Australian Company Gross Profits failed to drive buyer demand for ASX-listed stocks.

Company Gross Profits Surge 7.4% in Q4

Australian company gross profits surged 7.4% in Q4 after declining by 1.6% in the third quarter. Economists forecast a 1.8% increase quarter-on-quarter.

January building approvals numbers and job ad figures for February overshadowed the profit numbers. Building approvals unexpectedly fell by 1% after a 9.5% slide in December. Job ads slid by 2.8% after rising by 3.4% in January.

A further pullback in building approvals suggested inflation and mortgage rates took a bite out of demand. A weaker labor market also sent a red flag. In February, the RBA highlighted uncertainty about household spending. Higher unemployment could impact consumer confidence and wages. Consumers could curb consumer spending as a result, dampening demand-driven inflation.

Nonetheless, the AUD/USD was up 0.02% to $0.65242. A softer US dollar offset the effects of the economic data.