Bloomberg Daybreak: Asia Edition

In Japan, a stronger yen is set to emerge from this week’s gathering of central bankers in Jackson Hole after verbal intervention last week from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent gave the currency traction amid what is widely expected to be a dovish period for the US dollar. Governor Ueda has so far balked at preparing markets for another BOJ hike, wary of political blowback at home. But with the US Treasury Secretary now cast as the external foil, there’s still a month to prime investors for a live September meeting. For more, we speak to Bloomberg's Paul Dobson, Executive Editor for Asia Markets. Plus - Investors will be looking to Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks at Jackson Hole for confirmation that US rate cuts are coming sooner rather than later. A September move is nearly fully priced, and looser US financial conditions have been a key driver of gains for risk assets across the globe. The suspense ahead of this week’s gathering will likely keep investors cautious. We heard from Skyler Weinand, Founder and Chief Investment Officer at Regan Capital. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump called his meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin “extremely productive” but indicated that a deal to end the war had still not been finalized, adding that he would speak to NATO allies and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. “There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” Trump said Friday in Anchorage, Alaska as he stood alongside Putin for a joint event. Putin spoke first at the event, casting the conversations as useful and said they were held “in a constructive atmosphere.” He talked of unspecified agreements with Trump, and suggested that Ukraine was only one of multiple issues discussed, pointing to the potential for increased trade and business cooperation as well as work in the Arctic and in space exploration. The event followed the longest ever face-to-face meeting between the two leaders. On this special edition of Bloomberg Balance of Power, we hear instant reaction to and analysis of the summit and the press conference. Host Joe Mathieu speaks with: See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Tom Busby take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asian shares edged higher at the open, led by Japanese equities after the country's gross domestic product beat estimates. MSCI's gauge of Asian shares rose 0.2% as the Topix Index in Japan gained 0.8%. The country's economy expanded faster than expected last quarter, avoiding a recession. Stateside, bonds held their losses after higher inflation data caused traders to pare Federal Reserve interest-rates cuts, sending two-year Treasury yields higher by six basis points to 3.73%. A gauge of the dollar was little changed after gaining 0.4% in the prior session. Risk sentiment had been buoyed in previous days by expectations of monetary easing in the US, with traders fully pricing in a quarter-point reduction. But with US wholesale inflation accelerating in July by the most in three years, traders trimmed the odds of a September rate cut to about 90% from near certainty. We get reaction from Mark Luschini, Chief Investment Strategist at Janney Montgomery Scott. Plus - traders in Asia will also focus on China's monthly data, which will help gauge the health of the economy as it battles a US trade war and the longest deflation streak since at least the 1990s. Worries of a deepening downturn are mounting, with expectations retail sales growth and industrial production slowed in July from the month prior, according to Bloomberg surveys. We check on the state of consumption in the Asia-Pacific with Matthew Driver, Executive Vice President of Services, APAC at Mastercard. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trump administration is in talks with Intel Corp. to have the US government potentially take a stake in the beleaguered chipmaker, according to people familiar with the plan, in the latest sign of the White House’s willingness to blur the lines between state and industry. The deal would help shore up Intel’s planned factory hub in Ohio, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the deliberations are private. The company had once promised to turn that site into the world’s largest chipmaking facility, though it’s been repeatedly delayed. The size of the potential stake isn’t clear. The plans stem from a meeting this week between President Donald Trump and Intel Chief Executive Officer Lip-Bu Tan, the people said. While the details are still being sorted, the idea is for the US government to pay for the stake, one of the people said. Another cautioned that the plans remain fluid. Shares of Intel climbed as much as 8.9% on Thursday. For instant reaction and analysis, Bloomberg Businessweek Daily hosts Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec speak with: See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asian stocks were poised for a mainly positive open Thursday as investors continued to ramp up bets that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next month. Meantime, Bloomberg Economics says China's July activity data due Friday will likely show signs growth softened heading into the second half, echoing early indications in business surveys and tracking its full-year outlook. We get more on the state of China's economy from Helen Zhu, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at NF Trinity. Plus - stocks have soared to record levels and volatility has slumped to multi-year lows as traders now fully expect a quarter-point move by the Fed after an inflation print earlier this week was seen as benign. External pressure is also coming from President Donald Trump's administration with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent making his most explicit demand yet for the central bank to execute a cycle of cuts. We discuss what the Fed's path ahead may look like with Ross Mayfield, Investment Strategist at Baird Private Wealth Management. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stocks climbed to a record after an in-line US inflation reading bolstered speculation the Federal Reserve will have room to cut rates in September. US inflation data bolstered expectations that the Fed can move toward rate cuts without reigniting price pressures. While underlying inflation accelerated to the strongest since the start of the year, the modest gain in goods prices eased fears that trade-related costs may feed into broader price pressures. We get reaction from Charles Lieberman, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer at Advisors Capital Management. Plus - Bitcoin continues to flirt with an all-time high as demand from institutional investors and corporate treasury buyers lifts the wider market for digital assets. A recent executive order from US President Donald Trump clears the way for digital assets to be added to the mix of investments available in workplace retirement plans - and for ordinary investors dissatisfied with the returns from target-date funds or the traditional 60/40 portfolio to push their savings into riskier assets. We talk all things crypto with Peter Chung, Head of Research at quant trading firm Presto in Hong Kong. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump extended a pause of sky-high tariffs on Chinese goods for another 90 days into early November, stabilizing trade ties between the world's two largest economies. Trump signed an order extending the truce through November 10th, deferring a tariff hike set for Tuesday. The de-escalation first took effect when the US and China agreed to reduce tit-for-tat tariff hikes and ease export restrictions on rare earth magnets and certain technologies. China said it too would extend its own suspension for a further 90 days. Meanwhile, Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices have agreed to pay 15% of their revenues from Chinese AI chip sales to the US government in an unusual, legally questionable deal that reflects the Trump administration's willingness to soften export controls in exchange for financial payouts. We discuss the day's developments with Derek Wallbank, Senior US Economy and Government Editor for Bloomberg News. Plus - Wall Street refrained from making big bets ahead of a key inflation report, with stocks losing steam after climbing to the brink of all-time highs. With the earnings season almost done, investors are turning to economic data for clues on whether the Federal Reserve will be able cut rates in September. Data due Tuesday is forecast to show US consumers saw a slight pickup in inflation as retailers gradually raised prices on a variety of items subject to higher import duties. We break down the potential market implications with Joy Yang, Head of Product Management at MarketVector Indexes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asian stocks were set for a cautious open ahead of key economic data and a looming deadline on the potential extension of US tariffs on Chinese exports. US stock futures were steady while the dollar was in a tight range against major peers in early Asian trading. Traders are looking ahead to critical economic data from the US which could shape interest-rate expectations. One key data point will be the US inflation print, which will provide more insight into the Federal Reserve's rates outlook, with fears the economy is teetering on the edge of stagflation. For more, we speak with Eric Sterner, Chief Investment Officer at Apollon Wealth Management. Plus - Australia's central bank is poised to deliver its third interest-rate cut this year as inflationary pressures ebb, while Governor Michele Bullock is expected to stick with her cautious stance on the monetary policy outlook. Traders and most economists polled by Bloomberg anticipate the Reserve Bank of Australia will lower its cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.6% on Tuesday, bringing its cumulative easing in the current cycle to 75 basis points. For a closer look, we hear from Swati Pandey, Bloomberg Economy and Government Reporter in Sydney. She speaks with Bloomberg's Avril Hong and Paul Allen on The Asia Trade. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Guest Host Amy Morris take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller is emerging as a top candidate to serve as the central bank's chair among President Trump's advisers as they look for a replacement for Jerome Powell. Earlier Thursday, Trump said he had chosen Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Stephen Miran to serve as a Fed governor. Trump said that Miran, who will need to be confirmed by the Senate, would only serve the remainder of Adriana Kugler's term, which expires in January. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot index declined on the news, with Waller and Miran both having voiced support for lowering interest rates. We got reaction from Ivy Ng, Chief Investment Officer for the Asia-Pacific at DWS. She speaks with Bloomberg's Haidi Stroud-Watts and Paul Allen on The Asia Trade. Plus - trade tensions between the US and India are rising, while President Trump has signaled new sanctions on Russia could land as early as Friday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also added that China levies "could be on the table" over the buying of Russian oil. Meantime, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday about strengthening trade ties amid rising US tariffs. For more on the growing impact of Washington's reciprocal tariffs, we hear from Inu Manak, Trade Policy Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After months of negotiations, US reciprocal tariffs are set to go into effect at 12:01am Eastern time. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods over its ongoing purchases of Russian energy, escalating a fight with a key Asian partner on the eve of his broad-based duties taking effect. Meantime, Switzerland's president Karin Keller-Sutter left Washington without announcing any success in lowering the 39% tariff on her country - the highest American tariff rate of any developed nation. For more, we heard from William Reinsch, Senior Adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He speaks with Bloomberg's Haidi Stroud-Watts and Haslinda Amin on The Asia Trade. Plus - President Trump said he would impose a 100% tariff on semiconductor imports, though would exempt companies moving production back to the United States. The announcement came as Apple CEO Tim Cook joined the President at the White House to announce a fresh $100 billion investment plan in US manufacturing. We get reaction from Emily Benson, Head of Strategy at Minerva Technology Futures. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that tariffs on semiconductor and pharmaceutical imports would be announced "within the next week or so," as the administration prepares to target key economic sectors in its effort to remake global trade. Trump also added that he was "getting very close to a deal" with China to extend the trade truce that saw the two countries agree to reduce tit-for-tat tariff hikes and ease export restrictions on rare earth magnets and certain technologies. For more, we hear from Jill Disis, Bloomberg News Desk Editor in Hong Kong. Plus - the S&P 500 was on the brink of all-time highs on Tuesday, before losing steam. In late hours, Advanced Micro Devices gave a stronger-than-expected sales forecast, but warned that its access to the crucial China market remains uncertain. The pullback highlights investor anxiety over the Fed's next move, with economic data complicating the central bank's balancing act between controlling inflation and sustaining growth. Stocks had rallied in the prior session amid growing bets on potential rate cuts after weak jobs data last week. We get perspective from Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics and Strategy at Mizuho Bank. He speaks with Bloomberg's Heidi Stroud-Watts and Haslinda Amin on The Asia Trade. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asian stocks rose at the open after a wave of dip buying and optimism about interest-rate cuts helped the S&P 500 post its biggest rally since May. Stocks in Japan, Australia and South Korea all gained and the broader MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 0.4%. Oil steadied after a three-day drop as investors weighed risks to Russian supplies, with US President Donald Trump stepping up his threat to penalize India for buying Moscow's crude. We look at the market landscape with Hartmut Issel, Head of APAC Equities and Credit at UBS Wealth Management. He speaks with Bloomberg's Haidi Stroud-Watts on The Asia Trade. Plus - the CEO of Japan's largest bank says the Bank of Japan could raise its policy rate as early as September, given the outlook for higher inflation in the country. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group CEO Hironori Kamezawa speaks exclusively with Bloomberg's Hideki Suzuki about the BOJ's rate path, rising Japanese bond yields, and the impact of tariffs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asian stocks fell at the open after soft US jobs data triggered a pullback in equities and fueled bets on a Federal Reserve rate cut. Oil retreated as OPEC+ wrapped up a run of major output hikes. The moves suggest Friday's sharp retreat on Wall Street — sparked by rising US unemployment and slower job creation — is still rippling through global markets. The weak data is fueling investor concern after US stocks rallied for three straight months on speculation the US economy would withstand President Donald Trump's tariff storm. We hear from Sharyn O'Halloran, Professor of Political Economy and International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. She speaks with Bloomberg's Paul Allen and Haidi Stroud-Watts on The Asia Trade. Plus - Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. earnings will paint a mixed picture as a stronger yen and US auto tariffs eat into profit, despite resilient unit sales. Toyota likely saw a dip in first-quarter operating profit, according to estimates. While the company posted record global sales in the first half driven by a surge in pre-tariff purchases, Bloomberg Intelligence said the automaker is likely weighed down by factors including supply chain costs. Honda's profit likely fell for the same reasons, according to BI. In June, Japanese automakers slashed US export prices by 19%, the biggest drop since records going back to 2016, sacrificing margins to remain competitive through the tariff turmoil. We preview this week's earnings with Kota Yuzawa, Head of Asia Auto Research at Goldman Sachs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Tom Busby take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asian stocks fell for a sixth straight session — the longest losing streak this year — as President Donald Trump announced new tariff rates and as solid earnings from megacap tech firms failed to lift broader market sentiment. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index dropped 0.4% at the open while contracts for the S&P 500 also fell by the same amount. Trump will maintain a minimum global tariff of 10%, while imports from countries with trade surpluses with the US face duties of 15% or higher, the White House announced Thursday. We get reaction from Jenny Gordon, Non-Resident Fellow at the Lowy Institute. She speaks with Bloomberg's Shery Ahn and Haidi Stroud-Watts on The Asia Trade. Plus - Bloomberg Intelligence says Hang Lung Properties may stabilize retail rental income in mainland China, mainly driven by solid leasing performance of prime shopping malls in Shanghai. Its retail rental revenue on the mainland held steady at 2.4 billion yuan in the first half, with high occupancy rates of Plaza 66 and Grand Gateway 66 at 98% and 99% as of June 30. We speak with Adriel Chan, Chair of Hang Lung Properties. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US equity-index futures climbed as strong earnings from megacap tech firms bolstered optimism that corporate profits remain resilient. The dollar steadied after gaining on Federal Reserve holding interest rates. Contracts for the Nasdaq 100 rose 1.2% and those for the S&P 500 advanced 0.8% as Microsoft and Meta Platforms surged in after-hours trading. We break down the day's market headlines with Dean Smith, Chief Strategist at FolioBeyond. Plus - US President Donald Trump announced late Wednesday that he had reached a trade deal with South Korea that would impose a 15% tariff on its exports to the US, and see Seoul agree to $350 billion in US investments. We get reaction from Naomi Fink, Chief Global Strategist at Nikko Asset Management. She speaks with Bloomberg's Shery Ahn and Haidi Stroud-Watts on The Asia Trade. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shares in Japan fluctuated at the open while those in South Korea and Australia were flat Wednesday after the S&P 500 snapped a six-day rally. Treasuries were steady in early Asian trading after jumping the most in a month in the prior session. In the US, Federal Reserve policymakers are largely expected to hold interest rates steady for a fifth consecutive meeting at the conclusion of their July 29-30 gathering. Dissents from one or more officials could send the message that some members of the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee prefer to reduce borrowing costs sooner rather than later. We preview Thursday's FOMC decision with Mark Heppenstall, President and CIO at Penn Mutual Asset Management. Plus - US and China will continue talks over maintaining a tariff truce before it expires in two weeks and Trump will make the final call on any extension. Adding an extra 90 days is one option, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Meantime, the International Monetary Fund said Tuesday that the world economy will keep weakening and remains vulnerable to trade shocks even though it is showing some resilience to Donald Trump's tariffs. We break down the latest trade headlines with Paul Donovan, Chief Economist at UBS Global Wealth Management. He speaks with Bloomberg's Shery Ahn and Haidi Stroud-Watts on The Asia Trade. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asian stocks slipped after a flat session on Wall Street, as investors stayed cautious amid a week packed with economic data and corporate earnings. The MSCI Asia-Pacific gauge dropped 0.7%, a third consecutive day of decline. The dollar steadied Tuesday after climbing the most since May in the prior session. The S&P 500 briefly topped 6,400, but closed little changed. Oil held its gain after President Donald Trump pushed for Russia to reach a swift truce with Ukraine or face potential economic penalties. We talk markets with Vance Howard, CEO and Portfolio Manager at Howard Capital Management. Plus - Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says a 90-day extension of a trade truce with China was a likely outcome with negotiations between the two countries underway in Stockholm. Lutnick's comments followed the start of a new round of talks between the world's two largest economies - this time in Stockholm, where Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent led the respective delegations. Earlier rounds saw Washington and Beijing agree to reduce tit-for-tat levies and ease export controls on certain technology and rare-earth minerals, easing tensions that had rattled financial markets as Trump moves to enact a sweeping tariff agenda. We get perspective from Marc Franklin, Managing Director & Senior Portfolio Manager, Asset Allocation, Asia at Manulife Investment Management. He speaks with Bloomberg's Shery Ahn and Avril Hong on The Asia Trade. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.