Analyst recaps Asian stock markets' performance on Monday

Hong Kong's stock market ended higher on Monday with the benchmark Hang Seng Index up 1.89 percent to close at 26,622.88 points.

The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index jumped 1.62 percent to end at 9,454.12 points, and the Hang Seng Tech Index climbed 2.08 percent to end at 6,324.25 points. Tokyo stocks ended lower Monday, as export-oriented issues were pressured by the yen's appreciation, while investors unloaded shares after securing dividend rights before the end of the fiscal first half.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended down 311.24 points, or 0.69 percent, from Friday at 45,043.75.

He Jian, a market analyst, recapped stock markets' performance of Hong Kong and Japan on Monday.

"Hong Kong stocks also rose today following news of the rebound in industrial profits, easing concerns over corporate earnings pressure in the world's second-largest economy. The Hang Seng Index added 1.9 percent, while the Hang Seng Tech Index rose 2.1 percent. Technology firms led the rise. E-commerce company Alibaba Group jumped 4.1 percent, while JD.com added 3.1 percent. Tencent advanced 2.5 percent, while food-delivery service provider Meituan rose 2.2 percent. Hong Kong-listed mainland brokerage stocks strengthened, with [both] GF Securities and Huatai Securities gaining 13 percent, CITIC Securities up 12 percent and Oriental Securities surging over 11 percent. Huaxi Securities' latest report estimated that 45 listed brokerages will achieve adjusted revenue of over 158 billion yuan (about 22 billion U.S. dollars) in the third quarter of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 50 percent and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 21 percent. Gold stocks also rose broadly, with Tongguan Gold up over 6 percent, and Zhaojin Mining jumping 6.7 percent. The gain in the stock market was in line with the surge in spot gold prices. Gold jumped to a record high above 3,800 U.S. dollars per ounce today, supported by a weaker dollar and growing expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates further this year," said the analyst.

"Moving to Japan, the Nikkei 225 slipped today, retreating from record-high levels reached last week, as numerous stocks lost their dividend entitlements. Monday marked the ex-dividend date for many Japanese firms, meaning new shareholders won't receive upcoming dividend payouts. That, along with a strengthening yen and recent market highs, created headwinds for equities, according to market strategists. In a closely watched market debut, Sony Financial jumped 16 percent after being spun off from Sony Group, whose shares edged 0.2 percent higher. The biggest decliners were Honda Motor, down 5.2 percent, followed by Mazda Motor, which slid 4.6 percent," he said.

Analyst recaps Asian stock markets' performance on Monday

The multilateral system is "under attack" amid global turmoil, President of the 80th UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock warned in her remarks on Wednesday.

In her briefing on the priorities for the resumed 80th Session of the General Assembly, the UNGA president noted that the current multilateral system does not collapse all in a sudden, but "crumbles piece by piece" in divisions, compromises, and lack of political commitment.

The president called all the UN member states to defend the UN Charter and international law and promote cross-regional cooperation.

She also urged to push forward the work of the UNGA on certain critical issues with a strong majority, rather than an absolute consensus among all member states. Such act is not a failure of multilateralism, but "an affirmation of it," she said.

The foundational principles of the institution should not be eroded by appeasement, she said, calling the member states to show courage, leadership, and responsibility at the UN's "critical make-or-break moment."

"The UN needs you. Your support, your leadership, your principle, stand, your cross-regional cooperation, if we are to preserve and modernize this institution, if we are to make it, rather than break it," she said.

UNGA President warns global multilateral system "under attack"