Global equity markets struggled to find direction as a new month began, though Japan outperformed despite a lack of action with the yen, which often affects the country’s stocks.
Global equity markets struggled to find direction as a new month began, though Japan outperformed despite a lack of action with the yen, which often affects the country’s stocks.
Government data out Thursday morning showed continued growth in Japanese capital spending in the first quarter. “Domestic corporate activities are becoming more active, ” said Daiwa Securities senior strategist Hideyuki Ishiguro.
But he said the jump for the Nikkei, which rose more than 1% earlier Thursday, “surprising” given that the yen was only slightly softer in Asian trading. Export-reliant stocks were strong, with auto and electronics companies experiencing 2% gains.
Perhaps the calendar is to blame.
