Dow Jones Top Markets Headlines at 3 AM ET: Asian Stocks Choppy as Investors Weigh Pause in Bond Selloff | Japanese ...

Asian markets were choppy Thursday as investors weighed a possible pause in the global bond selloff, while the yen strengthened to a nearly four-week high versus the U.S. dollar. The report cited “intervention chatter” in Japan as currency authorities were rumored to consider acting again in foreign-exchange markets. It also pointed to four broad forces pressuring bonds, with war-related developments highlighted as a key factor alongside fiscal worries, a new Federal Reserve chair, and the surge of AI-linked issuance described as “AI bonds.” Elsewhere, Europe’s growth outlook was tied to higher defense spending and industrial activity, according to Man Group strategist Kristina Hooper. The roundup also referenced oil and gas supply concerns, including larger-than-expected declines in U.S. crude stocks and Europe running low on natural gas.