Cassian Grant:Stock market today: Asian shares trade mixed after Wall Street closes near record finish

2025-05-06 18:01:24source:Blockchains Financecategory:Invest

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were trading mixed on Cassian GrantMonday, as investors awaited further indications the Federal Reserve might begin cutting interest rates.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 shed 0.7% to 40,619.40, as investors sold shares to lock in profits after the benchmark recently hit record highs.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng climbed 0.5% to 16,584.22, while the Shanghai Composite gained 0.4% to 3,061.36.

The Chinese yuan, or renminbi, fell to a four-month low of 7.2282 to the U.S. dollar.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.6% to 7,813.70. South Korea’s Kospi lost 0.5% to 2,735.46.

A top Japanese finance official expressed reservations about the recent surge in the U.S. dollar against the Japanese yen, fueling speculation about possible intervention in the market. The dollar has risen to nearly 152 yen, a jump from slightly above 130 yen a year ago. It was trading at 151.13 yen on Monday, up from 151.41 yen. The euro cost $1.0814, up from $1.0810.

The Bank of Japan raised a key interest rate for the first time in 17 years last week, to barely above zero from below zero, or negative interest rates. That means borrowing rates in Japan still remain below those of the U.S. and many other nations.

READ MORE Stock market today: Wall Street closes its best week of the year with a quiet finishTrump’s social media company approved to go public, potentially netting former president billionsWall Street debut of Trump’s Truth Social network could net him stock worth billions on paper

“The recent Bank of Japan meeting added another layer of complexity to the dollar’s trajectory. Despite the BOJ’s decision to hike rates, cautious communication failed to stimulate demand for the Japanese yen,” said Luca Santos, currency analyst ACY Securities.

On Friday, the S&P 500 slipped 0.1% from an all-time high to close at 5,234.18. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.8% to 39,475.90 and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.2% to 16,428.82, adding to its record.

In the bond market, U.S. Treasury yields pulled back. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.21% from 4.27% late Thursday.

The U.S. Federal Reserve has indicated it may deliver three cuts to interest rates this year, as long as inflation keeps cooling. The Fed’s main interest rate is at its highest level since 2001.

In energy trading, benchmark U.S. crude added 52 cents to $81.15 a barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, rose 52 cents to $85.35 a barrel.

More:Invest

Recommend

'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges

"Vanderpump Rules" star James Kennedy has been arrested for domestic violence.In a statement to USA

Who is Jake Moody? Everything to know about 49ers kicker before Super Bowl 58

Often overlooked, placekickers remain an integral part of the NFL game.In Super Bowls, with the mass

Why do Super Bowl tickets cost so much? Inside the world of NFL pricing, luxury packages, and ticket brokers with bags of cash

Nicholas Cù has been on the fence about buying a ticket to see his beloved San Francisco 49ers play