分类： business

Asian markets experienced a downturn on Wednesday, despite a robust recovery on Wall Street led by technology and banking sectors. Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 1% to 27,544.06, while South Korea’s Kospi fell 1.0% to 2,932.15. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.5% to 7,209.40, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slid nearly 0.9% to 23,899.34. Trading in Shanghai was suspended due to national holidays. Persistent concerns over COVID-19 infections and China’s economic slowdown, particularly the debt crisis of China Evergrande Group, have kept investors cautious. Tan Boon Heng of Mizuho Bank noted that risks from China’s credit issues and real estate sector remain unresolved. In Japan, the new finance minister’s commitment to traditional economic policies has provided some reassurance, though Fitch Ratings maintains a negative outlook due to pandemic-related macroeconomic risks. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s central bank raised interest rates for the first time in seven years, signaling a shift from pandemic-era support measures. Wall Street saw gains, with the S&P 500 rising 1.1%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.9%, and the Nasdaq climbing 1.3%. Despite recent volatility, analysts anticipate strong corporate earnings in the upcoming third-quarter reports, which could bolster market confidence. Energy markets saw slight declines, with U.S. crude dropping to $78.81 a barrel and Brent crude falling to $82.48 a barrel. The U.S. dollar strengthened against the Japanese yen and the euro.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, headquartered in Miami, has issued a stern warning to Florida, threatening to relocate its ships following Governor Ron DeSantis’s enactment of a law prohibiting businesses from mandating proof of COVID-19 vaccination. The company argues that this state legislation conflicts with federal health guidelines, which permit cruise operations in U.S. waters provided nearly all passengers and crew are vaccinated. CEO Frank Del Rio emphasized the tension between state and federal jurisdictions, stating, “Lawyers believe federal law supersedes state law, but we hope this doesn’t escalate into a legal or political battle.” Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which also owns Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, is exploring alternative bases in other states or the Caribbean if Florida remains inhospitable. Del Rio revealed these plans during the company’s quarterly earnings call, expressing optimism that a resolution could still be reached through ongoing discussions with DeSantis’s office. The governor’s recent executive order and subsequent legislation, which also grants him authority to override local pandemic-related measures, were framed as efforts to protect individual freedoms and privacy. However, the cruise industry, which has been grounded in U.S. waters since March 2020, is eager to resume operations. Federal guidelines from the CDC allow vaccinated cruises to bypass trial voyages and commence regular trips, provided 98% of crew and 95% of passengers are vaccinated. Despite these challenges, Norwegian reported a surge in bookings, signaling potential recovery by early 2022, even as the company posted a $1.37 billion loss in the first quarter of 2021.