Asian Shares React Amidst Walmart's Wall Street Slump and Alibaba's Surge

Asian markets offered mixed performances after Walmart's disappointing forecast impacted Wall Street, while Alibaba's robust earnings boosted Hong Kong shares. Currency fluctuations and inflation rates are key concerns for Japanese investors. Meanwhile, U.S. bond yields dipped as unemployment claims rose, prompting discussions on tariffs and economic growth.

Asian shares exhibited a mixed response on Friday, as a sharp decline in Walmart shares dragged Wall Street down from record highs. In Japan, currency fluctuations were a focal point for investors. The benchmark Nikkei 225 saw a modest rise of 0.3% during afternoon trading, reaching 38,781.99. A weaker yen proved beneficial for Japanese exporters sensitive to currency changes. Meanwhile, Japan's core consumer price index excluding fresh food rose 3.2% year-on-year.

In other Asian markets, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell by 0.3%, and South Korea's Kospi was largely unchanged. Contrarily, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index surged by 3.3%, driven by Alibaba's exceptional earnings showing rapid revenue growth, primarily due to the artificial intelligence sector boom in China. Alibaba's profits soared, prompting an 8.1% jump in its U.S. stock.

In the United States, Walmart's disappointing profit outlook led to decreased stock performance across the retail sector, affecting companies like Costco and Target. On the bond market front, U.S. Treasury yields eased as unexpected jobless claims pointed to potential economic shifts, influencing Federal Reserve rate considerations. Energy prices also saw minor declines as global economic discussions continued.

(With inputs from agencies.)