Asian markets closed mixed at the end of trading on Monday, July 14, the opening session of the week. Japanese markets closed lower as 10-year Japanese government bond yields rose to their highest levels since last March, and tariff concerns resurfaced after US President Donald Trump announced his intention to impose 30% tariffs on the European Union and Mexico. Chinese indices rose, supported by a rise in exports from the world’s second-largest economy.
In economic data released this morning, figures from the Chinese Customs Administration showed that exports in US dollars rose 5.8% in June, exceeding expectations of a 5% increase, while imports rose 1.1%. Exports to the United States fell for the third consecutive month to 16.1%, following a 34% decline in May, while imports to the United States fell 15.5%, compared to 18% in May. From Japan, core machinery orders fell 0.6% in May, according to figures released this morning, compared to a 9.1% decline in April. Core orders grew 4.4% year-on-year, better than expected.
In a related development, some sources reported that the Bank of Japan is considering revising its inflation forecasts at its meeting later this month, given the continued rise in rice prices and food costs.
The Nikkei index closed the session at 39,459 points, down 0.28%, or 110 points. The Topix index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange fell 0.02% today, closing at 2,822 points. Mercari Nexon led the Nikkei’s losses, falling more than 4%.
Chinese indices recorded gains today, with the broader CSI300 index rising 0.07% to close at 4,017 points, while the Shanghai Composite index closed 0.27% higher at 3,519 points. The Hang Seng Index, the main index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, rose by approximately 0.42% today, closing at 24,240 points, led by gains in China Shenhua Energy, which rose by more than 5%.
The Indian Sensex index fell by approximately 0.43% before closing at 82,144 points, while the Nifty 50 index fell by approximately 0.39% to trade at 25,048 points.
New Zealand stock markets closed with losses today, with the NZX 50 index falling by approximately 0.06% to close at 12,678 points, while Australia’s ASX 200 index fell by approximately 0.11% to close at 8,570 points. The Singapore Key Index rose by 0.44% in pre-closing trading.