archiveCurrency markets

Asian stocks were mostly lower Wednesday even as investors wagered that the Federal Reserve will come ahead with a cut to interest rates, while Australia’s benchmark hit a new record. U.S. futures were mixed and oil prices were little changed.In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index gave up early gains to shed 0.4% to 41,095.23. Reports said the Finance Ministry might have intervened in the currency market last week, buying nearly 6 trillion yen ($37 billion) to support the yen.The U.S. dollar rose to 158.42 Japanese yen from 158.34 yen on...

The yen inched lower toward a key level against the dollar Monday, even as Japan’s top currency official warned that authorities stand ready to intervene in currency markets 24 hours a day if necessary. “If there are excessive currency fluctuations, it has a negative impact on the national economy," said Vice Finance Minister Masato Kanda. “In the event of excessive moves based on speculation, we are prepared to take appropriate action." Kanda was speaking as the yen traded ever closer to 160 to dollar and the weak point of 160.17...