Asian stocks decline at open, tech leads drop - The Business Times

• The European Central Bank (ECB) is monitoring liquidity conditions and monetary policy operations for the period between 11 February and 5 May 2026. • An increasing number of banks are currently testing their participation viability to ensure operational readiness for these specific operations.

• European markets saw gains, with the FTSE 100 closing up 0.7% (68.26 points) at 10,529.89, coinciding with the Dow Jones hitting a new high. • In a separate legal development, the US Supreme Court ruled 7-2 to send a $1.25 million jury award against Germany-based Bayer back to a Missouri state court.

• Asian stock markets rallied on Thursday, June 25, 2026, driven by a surge in technology shares across the region. • The rally was triggered by "blockbuster" earnings reports from US chipmakers Micron and Qualcomm, which renewed investor confidence in artificial intelligence.

• Spain's economy grew by 0.6% in the first quarter of the year, according to confirmed GDP data. • The figures provide an official measure of the country's economic expansion during the start of the year.

• The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted 10-2 on June 16-17, 2026, to maintain the federal funds rate at a target range of 4.25% to 4.50%. • This decision contradicts earlier market expectations that the Federal Reserve would begin easing monetary policy by mid-2026.

• The Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that U.S. economic growth rebounded in the first quarter of 2026. • GDP increased in 46 states and Washington, D.C., with Washington state seeing the highest annualized growth at 4.5 percent.

• Brookings hosted a series of events featuring experts and policymakers, including Senators Jeff Merkley and Adam Schiff, to discuss the rise of prediction markets. • These platforms allow users to trade on the outcomes of diverse real-world events, ranging from election results and military strikes to corporate pricing.

• Major Asian stock indices declined on Friday as a renewed selloff in technology stocks erased gains from the previous session. • Significant losses were seen in Japan's Nikkei 225, which dropped 3.91%, and South Korea's Kospi, which tumbled 5.65%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 1.87%.

• Asian stock markets experienced a significant decline, led by a tech selloff centered on Apple following a previous artificial intelligence rally. • Major indices saw sharp drops, including Hong Kong’s Hang Seng falling 2%, China’s CSI 300 sliding 2.6%, and the Shanghai Composite dropping 1.7%.

• South Korea's Kospi index triggered a circuit breaker after a sharp 8% fall, leading a broader decline across Asian markets. • The sell-off was driven by investors dumping technology stocks due to growing concerns regarding the costs and sustainability of the artificial intelligence boom.

• Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have invested a record ₹39,640 crore into Indian government securities (G-Secs) during June. • This surge is driven by expanded access to sovereign debt and specific tax exemptions designed to attract overseas capital.

• Asian tech stocks plummeted on Friday, led by a 12% drop in SoftBank, following reports that Apple and Microsoft are passing rising AI chip costs to consumers. • Major semiconductor players were hit hard, with South Korea's SK Hynix and Samsung both falling over 4%, while Japan's Advantest and Tokyo Electron dropped 6% and 2% respectively.