Asia stocks lower after Wall Street gains on recovery hopes

Asian stock are lower after Wall Street gained for a third day on hopes for for a global economic rebound

BEIJING — Major Asian stock markets declined Wednesday after Wall Street gained on hopes for a global economic recovery and Japan’s exports sank.

Market benchmarks in Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Seoul retreated.

Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 index rose for a third day, gaining 1.9% on Tuesday after U.S. retail spending was stronger than expected.

Also Tuesday, the Federal Reserve promised to keep its policy ultra-loose to support business activity.

Global stock markets have regained most of this year’s losses as investors look ahead to a rebound from the coronavirus pandemic despite rising infections in the United States, Brazil and some other major countries.

Analysts warn the gains might be too big and too fast to be justified by the uncertain economic outlook.

U.S. retail figures showing an 18% gain over the previous month are encouraging but still $50 billion below what might have been expected without the coronavirus, said Rob Carnell of ING in a report.

“We don’t imagine markets will share this nuanced view.” said Carnell. “They will likely make the most of any good news and continue to be dismissive of any bad news.”

The Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.1% to 2,929.62 and the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo retreated 0.6% to 22,455.76. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong lost 0.3% to 24,274.01.

In Seoul, the Kospi shed 0.3% to 2,131.12 and India’s Sensex opened down 0.4% at 33,474.57.

Sydney’s S&P-ASX 200 gained 0.4% to 5,967.60. New Zealand advanced while Singapore declined.

Adding to the mixed picture, Japan’s government reported May exports fell 28.3% from a year earlier in their biggest decline since the 2008 global crisis.

May might mark the low point for Japanese exporters as their major foreign customers begin to emerge from lockdowns, said Marcel Thieliant of Capital Economics in a report.

Also Wednesday, Singapore reported May exports fell 25% from a year earlier.

Financial markets have been underpinned by promises from the Fed and other central banks to inject more money into economies through bond purchases and other steps.

However, many analysts are skeptical about the U.S. stock market’s run since it began climbing after hitting a bottom in late March, down 34% from its record.

Investors have been pushing up shares of companies that would benefit from a reopening economy.

On Tuesday, Nordstrom jumped 12.9% for one of the biggest gains in the S&P 500, leading a group of retailers that stand to benefit if shoppers return to stores.

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for July delivery lost 90 cents to $37.48 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract gained $1.26 on Tuesday to settle at $38.38. Brent crude, the benchmark for international prices, shed 67 cents to $40.29 per barrel in London. It rose $1.24 the previous session to $40.96 a barrel.

The dollar declined to 107.24 yen from Tuesday’s 107.33 yen. The euro gained to $1.1274 from $1.1266.