Asian Stocks Rise on Economic Hopes; Wall Street Hits Record on Rate Cut Expectations
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Japanese stocks hit a record high, with Tokyo's Nikkei 225 jumping 1.9% to 39,940. Japan's unemployment rate dropped to 2.4% in January.
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Hong Kong's Hang Seng was up 0.3% to 16,562.50. China's manufacturing activity contracted for the 5th straight month in February.
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Investors anticipate economic revitalization policies at China's National People's Congress next week.
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On Wall Street, the S&P 500 rose 0.5% to a record 5,096.27. Hopes grow for Fed rate cuts starting in June.
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U.S. benchmark crude oil gained 24 cents to $78.50/barrel. The dollar rose to 150.34 Japanese yen.