Asian Markets Show Mixed Results Amid U.S. Earnings Season
Asian equities delivered divergent performances as the S&P 500 extended its rally. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 slipped 0.3% to 39,694.89 following Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's political setback, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng and Shanghai Composite both edged up 0.3%.
Market sentiment remains fragile as Japan's ruling coalition loses upper house majority, casting doubt on legislative progress. SPI Asset Management's Stephen Innes notes: "Ishiba's claim to leadership now rests on political duct tape." The looming August 1 deadline for U.S. auto tariffs adds pressure to fragile risk appetite.