Bank of America: Japanese equities could rise further by year-end
Gelonghui, June 24 | Strategists at Bank of America Global Research stated that Japanese equities could have more upside potential by year-end than previously expected. They cited key drivers including stronger-than-anticipated demand for artificial intelligence and an increased likelihood that the Strait of Hormuz remains open. Additionally, the growth in corporate return on equity (ROE) has become a focal point for the market. They noted, “The previous improvement in ROE was primarily driven by margin expansion, but as the manufacturing cycle recovers, leverage expansion will gradually replace it as the new driver.” Bank of America revised its year-end forecast for the Nikkei 225 Index upward from 67,000.
The Nikkei 225 index surpassed the 72,000 mark for the first time, driven by the AI boom.
Japan's stock market surpassed the 72,000 mark for the first time on Monday, as strong investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence (AI) outweighed uncertainties surrounding U.S.-Iran peace negotiations. The Nikkei 225 index rose 1.4% in early trading to 72,247.21 points, after earlier touching an intraday record high of 72,269.64 points. The broader Topix index gained 1.1%, reaching 4,089.59 points. According to a Friday report by the Nikkei, Japan plans to set a target of approximately $2.3 trillion in combined public and private investment by 2040 across 17 strategic sectors, as part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s new growth strategy. Qatar and Pakis
The U.S. Dollar Index rose above 101, hitting a new high in over a year, while gold prices plunged by as much as 2%, and Japanese and South Korean stock markets turned lower.
Waller delivered a more hawkish-than-expected signal, compounded by safe-haven support stemming from the cancellation of U.S.-Iran talks, fueling strong bullish momentum for the dollar. Technical analysts noted that the sustainability of this breakout significantly exceeds that of multiple short-lived rallies seen over the past year.
Prospects for the Persian Gulf lifted Wall Street in pre-market trading; Asian markets rose while European markets were weaker.
Wall Street futures rose before the Thursday market open, after U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to end hostilities in the Persian Gulf. West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 1.9% in pre-market trading to $75.35 per barrel, as markets anticipated tankers would soon resume transit through the Strait of Hormuz. In futures trading, the S&P 500 gained 0.8%, the Nasdaq rose 1.5%, and the Dow Jones increased by 0.4%. U.S. stock markets will be closed on Friday for a holiday. Asian markets mostly advanced overnight, with Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index rising 1
JPMorgan has raised its year-end target for the Nikkei 225 to 75,000.
Gelonghui, June 18 | JPMorgan: Raised the year-end 2026 target for the Nikkei 225 Index to 75,000 points from the previous target of 70,000 points. Also raised the year-end 2026 target for Japan's TOPIX index to 4,400 points from the prior target of 4,300 points.
The U.S. and Iran sign a memorandum of understanding; Nikkei and Korean stocks hit record highs!
Conflict could trigger a global depression.
17%! Japan’s exports surged 17% year-on-year in May, marking a three-year high, with semiconductor exports soaring by 62%.
Japan's exports rebounded strongly, but underlying concerns lurk beneath the surface of this apparent boom. According to the latest data released by the Japanese government on Wednesday, export volumes rose 17% year-on-year in May—the fastest pace since November 2022—surpassing economists' consensus forecast of 16.2% in a Reuters poll and accelerating notably from April's 14.8% gain. Semiconductor exports surged by 61.2%, driven by surging demand for artificial intelligence, becoming the key engine behind this export expansion. However, according to Reuters, Koki Akimoto, an economist at Daiwa Institute of Research, noted that price effects—including yen depreciation and higher energy costs—have significantly contributed to the increase in nominal export values.
The Bank of Japan maintained market stability, with the yen's volatility dropping to its lowest level since 2021.
Following the announcement of its policy decision, the Bank of Japan managed to maintain relative stability in financial markets, allowing the yen to trade within a narrow range near historic lows. On Tuesday, the intraday fluctuation of the USD/JPY pair was only 0.43 yen—the smallest range observed on the final day of a Bank of Japan meeting since January 2021. Japanese government bond yields rose modestly, while the Nikkei 225 index briefly surpassed the 70,000 mark for the first time. On Wednesday morning in Tokyo, the dollar continued to trade above 160 against the yen, approaching the level at which Japan’s Ministry of Finance intervened in late April to support the currency. Given this critical threshold, investors remain cautious about
Back to 1%: Japan's 31-Year Interest Rate Cycle
In September 1995, the Bank of Japan lowered its discount rate to 0.5%. At the time, no one could have foreseen that Japan's interest rates would not reach 1% again for nearly three decades—until June 16, 2026. This past Tuesday, the Bank of Japan raised its policy rate from 0.75% to 1.00% by a 7-to-1 vote, marking the highest level since 1995—just before the onset of Japan’s prolonged era of zero interest rates following the collapse of its bubble economy. From zero interest rates (1999) and quantitative easing (2001) to negative interest rates (2016) and yield curve control, Japan has experimented with nearly every modern
Interest rates hit a 31-year high! The Bank of Japan raised rates by 25 basis points and paused its bond-buying taper, with the Deputy Governor's substitute press conference becoming a focal point.
The Bank of Japan raised interest rates to the highest level in 31 years and plans to halt the reduction of its bond purchases.
Express News | Golden Midday Report | Key Developments from June 16 (7:00–12:00)
7:00–12:00 Keywords: Japan rate hike, U.S.-Iran deal, AI-powered Alipay 1. The Bank of Japan raised interest rates by 25 basis points as expected; 2. The Nikkei 225 index surpassed the 70,000 mark for the first time; 3. Goldman Sachs lowered its oil price target for the second time within a week; 4. Trump on the U.S.-Iran agreement: Thanks to China and Russia for their assistance; 5. AI-powered Alipay officially launched, marking the platform’s most significant overhaul to date; 6. The Bank of Japan decided to pause the reduction of its bond purchases starting July next year; 7. Legendary investor Klarman warned that the AI boom shows signs of a bubble; his fund has declined to invest in OpenAI and Anthropic.
The Nikkei 225 index surpassed the 70,000 mark for the first time, and the Bank of Japan raised its policy rate to 1%, as widely anticipated.
On the 16th, the Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange surged by nearly 700 points at one point, surpassing the 70,000 mark for the first time. The Bank of Japan decided to raise its policy interest rate to 1%. This decision aligned with market expectations, and following the announcement, buying pressure intensified further.
As early as noon today! Will Japan's interest rate enter the '1%' era for the first time in over 30 years?
① According to a survey by industry media, nearly all Bank of Japan watchers expect policymakers to raise the benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 1% at the conclusion of their two-day meeting on Tuesday. ② The Bank of Japan previously stated that Governor Kazuo Ueda was recently hospitalized due to treatment for an infected liver cyst and will submit his views to the Policy Board in writing, without participating in the vote in person.
Short sellers are being violently liquidated.
Is it a rebound or a reversal?
U.S.-Iran deal roils markets: crude oil plunges 4%, South Korean stocks surge triggering circuit breakers, and even Fed rate hike expectations decline
On June 14, U.S. President Trump posted on social media in Eastern Time that the agreement between the United States and Iran has been 'now finalized,' and he has 'authorized' the Strait of Hormuz to be 'freely open,' directing the U.S. Navy to immediately lift the related blockade.
U.S.-Iran deal sparks market rally! Risk assets and U.S. Treasuries rise together, analysts warn risks remain
The peace agreement reached between the United States and Iran triggered a market rally.
Strait of Hormuz may soon reopen! Reports suggest the U.S. and Iran are close to reaching an agreement, with a signing as early as this weekend.
As the G7 summit approaches, informed sources revealed that the United States and Iran are close to signing a temporary agreement.
Express News | Japanese and South Korean stock indices closed higher.
On June 12 (Friday), the Nikkei 225 index closed up 1,802.77 points, or 2.81%, at 66,020.04, driven by gains in chip and metal stocks. The South Korean KOSPI index closed up 348.63 points, or 4.49%, at 8,112.58 on June 12 (Friday), having risen more than 8% intraday. (Jinshi)
Expectations of a U.S.-Iran ceasefire lifted global equities, with Japanese and South Korean stock indices hitting new highs, oil prices under pressure, gold rising and silver falling.
The U.S. and Iran are nearing an agreement on a 60-day ceasefire and the lifting of blockades on maritime routes, driving broad gains across global equity markets. The MSCI World Index rose 0.4%, hitting a record high. S&P 500 futures gained 0.13%, European stocks opened higher, and Japanese and South Korean benchmarks reached new highs. Brent crude declined 0.8%, while precious metals diverged: spot gold rose 0.55% to $4,520 per ounce, and spot silver fell 0.3%.
U.S.-Iran peace talks stall, pressuring Asian equities, with Japanese and South Korean markets leading losses; oil prices rise by 2%, while gold falls below the $4,400 mark.
More updates to follow.