The Japanese stock market has finished lower in two straight sessions, sinking more than 1,200 points or 2 percent in that span. The Nikkei now sits just above the 59,280-point plateau although it's expected to see support on Friday.
The global forecast for the Asian markets is upbeat, thanks to strong earnings news and receding crude oil prices. The European and U.S. markets were firmly higher on Thursday and the Asian bourses are expected to follow suit.
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Market Analysis
April 24, 2026 15:15 ET Economics news flow was relatively light this week even as the conflict in the Middle East continued, raising concerns for policymakers. In the U.S., spending data, initial jobless claims and pending home sales were the highlights. Business confidence in the biggest euro area economy was in focus in Europe. Inflation data from Japan gained attention in Asia.