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Daily Summary

Asia & Pacific Edition

November 5, 2026 at 5:30 AM ET

Markets Recap for November 4, 2026

Asian Stocks Volatile as US Midterms Shift Power

What's in the markets today?

New Zealand reported a 0.1% drop in employment change, which was a smaller decline than last quarter but still signaled ongoing softness in the labor market. The Hang Seng Index rose 1.67% after Chinese authorities directed significant inflows into exchange-traded funds to support market liquidity following the US midterm elections. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.42% as tech shares weighed on the index amid fears that the Democratic takeover of the US Congress could lead to stricter US AI regulation. China’s RatingDog Services PMI came in at 50.8, down from the previous reading, suggesting a slowing pace in the country’s business activity expansion. Toyota shares gained, while strong moves in gold and silver reflected renewed demand for safe-haven assets in Asia.

Benchmark Moves

The Nikkei 225 fell 1.42% as Japanese tech stocks declined on fears that the Democratic takeover of Congress in the US midterm elections could lead to stricter US AI regulation. WTI crude oil dropped 8.29% following the official release of the weekly EIA inventory report, which eased inflation pressures. Lower oil prices helped support a 1.67% gain in the Hang Seng Index, as Chinese authorities increased inflows to government-supported equity ETFs. This dynamic signals that shifts in global energy supply can reprices broad market expectations for Asian equities across assets.

Nikkei 225
N225
Nikkei 225
62,188.41
-893.23-1.42%
TOPIX
TOPX
TOPIX
3,895.38
-34.90-0.89%
Hang Seng Index
HSI
Hang Seng Index
23,919.50
+393.53+1.67%
CSI 300
CSI300
CSI 300
4,101.34
+92.46+2.31%
KOSPI
KS11
KOSPI
5,683.80
+35.01+0.62%

Market data as of Nov 4, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET.

Toyota
TM
Toyota
199.46
+6.46+3.35%
Alibaba
BABA
Alibaba
105.29
+4.93+4.91%
Sony
SONY
Sony
25.95
+0.56+2.21%
Samsung Electronics
005930.KS
Samsung Electronics
218,000.00
-1,500.00-0.68%
Tencent
TCEHY
Tencent
52.43
+2.01+3.99%

Market data as of Nov 4, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET.

Commodities & Crypto

Detailed View →
Gold
GC
Gold
4,073.00
+132.60+3.37%
Silver
SI
Silver
52.28
+2.53+5.08%
WTI Crude Oil
CL
WTI Crude Oil
88.12
-7.97-8.29%
Natural Gas
NG
Natural Gas
2.96
+0.06+2.21%
Bitcoin
BTCUSDT
Bitcoin
80,365.85
-138.16-0.17%

Market data as of Nov 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.

Key Financial Reports

Earnings reports from several companies showed a mixed performance. ITOCHU Corporation (ITOCY) reported an actual EPS of 0.259, while Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTTYY) posted 0.437, both indicating solid results. Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MITSY) also performed well with an EPS of 12.516, reflecting strong operational performance. These results suggest resilience in certain sectors despite broader market volatility.

Earnings Per Share (EPS)

Detailed View →
ITOCHU Corporation
ITOCY
ITOCHU Corporation
Actual
0.26
Estimate
-
Surprise
-
Previous
-
SK Telecom Co.,Ltd
SKM
SK Telecom Co.,Ltd
Actual
0.75
Estimate
-
Surprise
-
Previous
0.85
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
NTTYY
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
Actual
0.44
Estimate
-
Surprise
-
Previous
-
Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
MITSY
Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
Actual
12.52
Estimate
-
Surprise
-
Previous
-
Marubeni Corporation
MARUY
Marubeni Corporation
Actual
0.59
Estimate
-
Surprise
-
Previous
-

EPS reported on November 4, 2026 ET. Figures use each company's reported basis.

Key Macroeconomic Reports

New Zealand is experiencing pressure in its labor market. The unemployment rate rose to 5.7%, up from 5.6%, while employment change fell by 0.1%. Together, these indicators show a weaker job market. This could lead to more cautious monetary policy as economic growth prospects dim.

Macroeconomic Data

Detailed View →
NZ
NZ | Employment Change
16:45
Actual
-0.10
Forecast
0.40
Previous
-0.30
NZ
NZ | Unemployment Rate
16:45
Actual
5.70
Forecast
5.50
Previous
5.60
CN
CN | RatingDog Services PMI
20:45
Actual
50.80
Forecast
51.50
Previous
51.60
NZ
NZ | Employment Change QoQ
16:45
Actual
-0.10
Forecast
0.40
Previous
0.30
NZ
NZ | Participation Rate
16:45
Actual
70.40
Forecast
70.70
Previous
70.60

Macroeconomic data released on November 3, 2026 ET.

Top Stories

A quick look at the five stories that shaped today's market sentiment. Explained with brief context highlighting why each story mattered today.

David Jones prepares for collapse as landlord negotiations fail

David Jones is set to enter administration this week after a failed rescue plan that would have reduced the retailer to 12 stores. This comes four months after the company secured a new financier. The collapse of the 188-year-old department store chain, owned by Anchorage Capital Partners since 2023, may lead to a significant increase in available retail space in major shopping centers across Australia, potentially lowering rents and creating challenges for landlords like Scentre and Vicinity.

Source: Australian Financial Review

China expands overseas mining stakes, tightening grip on critical minerals

China is increasing its overseas mining stakes through state-linked companies to enhance control over critical minerals vital for electric vehicles and technology. This state-led strategy aims to streamline global mining investments and reduce competition among Chinese firms. In the first three quarters of this year, Chinese mineral acquisitions abroad reached $8.8 billion, the highest annual total since at least 2018. This push for centralization may face resistance from host countries demanding local processing.

Source: CNBC — Asia Pacific

High Court hits Uber with $81m payroll tax in blow to gig economy

The High Court has ruled that Uber must pay at least $81 million in payroll tax to New South Wales, a decision that could significantly impact the gig economy. The court determined that the fares Uber collects on behalf of its drivers qualify as 'wages' under NSW tax law. This ruling means Uber is liable for the full amount ordered by NSW authorities for fares collected between 2015 and 2020, which is nearly ten times its local profits last year.

Source: Australian Financial Review

‘Chickens coming home to roost’: 70pc of inflation surge homegrown

New analysis shows that over 70% of the current inflation surge in Australia is driven by domestic demand, prompting business leaders to call for a significant reduction in government spending growth. Following the Reserve Bank of Australia's fifth rate hike this year, the Business Council of Australia criticized the government for ignoring warnings about excessive spending. They stated that the consequences of this oversight are now evident, with inflationary pressures stemming largely from domestic factors.

Source: Australian Financial Review

Asian stocks face volatility as Democratic blue wave sweeps US

Asian stocks experienced mixed results amid volatile trading on November 4, as investors reacted to the implications of the Democratic Party gaining control of Congress in the U.S. midterm elections. Japanese tech stocks saw a notable decline, while South Korean markets reversed earlier gains. The Nikkei Stock Average reflected these fluctuations, indicating uncertainty among investors regarding future market conditions following the election outcomes.

Source: Nikkei Asia

Other Headlines

FT Asia PacificNov 4, 2026

China steps up defence of stock market in bid to revive AI boom

Nikkei AsiaNov 4, 2026

Mitsui Chemicals to buy Japan chip material maker JSR for over $8.2bn

FT Asia PacificNov 4, 2026

Copper and conflict trigger profit surge for Buffett-backed Japanese commodity traders

Australian Financial ReviewNov 4, 2026

RBA rates have peaked but relief still a year away, say economists

FT Asia PacificNov 4, 2026

Oracle cancels $7bn Tencent AI deal under Trump pressure

Nikkei AsiaNov 3, 2026

US tech giants' hidden AI debt swells 90% to $3.2tn in 6 months

Australian Financial ReviewNov 4, 2026

Canva’s jobs shock is seismic. It will reverberate from tech to super

FT Asia PacificNov 4, 2026

US, Russia and China discuss meeting between Trump, Putin and Xi

Nikkei AsiaNov 4, 2026

Google to invest $15bn in Malaysia's data center expansion

Australian Financial ReviewNov 3, 2026

We’re not heading into a recession but RBA faces a new test

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