Asian shares were hesitant on Wednesday after a mixed US jobs reading failed to move the needle on the rate outlook there, leaving investors awaiting further cues to guide their next move.
Ford Motor said on Monday it will take a $19.5 billion writedown and is killing several electric-vehicle models, in the most dramatic example yet of the auto industry's retreat from battery-powered models in response to the Trump administration's policies and weakening EV demand.
The Bank of Japan is set to raise interest rates on Friday to a three-decade high and pledge to keep hiking borrowing costs, closing the year with two rate hikes despite headwinds from US tariffs and the inauguration of a dovish prime minister.
Japan’s manufacturing sector inched closer to expansion in December, purchasing managers index data showed on Monday, while the service sector expanded during the month, albeit at a slower pace from November.
Most Asian stocks fell on Tuesday, extending recent losses as the technology sector saw little respite from concerns over stretched artificial intelligence valuations.