Yen Weakness Supports Japanese Stocks Closing at Record Levels: Global markets have recently witnessed a series of notable developments,
reflecting the interplay of economic, industrial, and technological factors.
In China, aluminum imports and related raw materials continued to surge,
driven by rising domestic demand and the expansion of manufacturing and infrastructure sectors.
Meanwhile, the accelerating global enthusiasm for artificial intelligence has sparked concerns of a repeat of the “dot-com bubble.”
According to warnings from Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI.
On the other side of Asia, Japanese stocks hit fresh record highs supported by a weaker yen
and strong performance from automakers,
reflecting a mix of local confidence and favorable monetary conditions.
Content
China’s Aluminum Imports
An AI Market Bubble?
Japanese Stocks
China’s Aluminum Imports Rise 38% in July Amid Strong Domestic Demand.
Chinese customs data released on Monday showed that China’s imports
of raw aluminum and products jumped 38.2% year-on-year in July to 360,000 metric tons,
as Beijing continued to boost purchases of the lightweight metal amid growing local demand.
In the first seven months of 2025,
imports of raw aluminum and products rose 1.5% year-on-year to a total of 2.33 million tons.
China also stepped up purchases of bauxite
The primary raw material for aluminum production,
with imports soaring 34.2% in July to 20.06 million tons.
These figures highlight China’s position as the world’s largest aluminum consumer,
supported by the ongoing expansion of manufacturing and infrastructure sectors that drive demand for the metal.
Sam Altman Warns of an AI Market Bubble Similar to the Dot-Com Crash
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, warned that the artificial intelligence market is experiencing excessive
enthusiasm that could lead to an investment bubble similar to the dot-com crash of the late 1990s.
Speaking to The Verge, Altman noted that the massive inflows of capital and soaring valuations of AI companies
may pose risks to market stability,
adding that the current situation reminds him of the collapse of internet companies in the early 2000s,
When the Nasdaq lost nearly 80% of its value between 2000 and 2002.
Japanese Stocks Close at Fresh Record Highs Backed by Yen Weakness and Automakers’ Performance
Japan’s Nikkei index closed Monday’s session at a new all-time high,
extending last week’s rally, fueled by strong gains in automakers that benefited from a weaker yen against the US dollar.
The Nikkei ended the session up 0.77% at 43,714.31 points — its highest close on record,
while the broader Topix index gained 0.43% to 3,120.96 points,
marking a second consecutive record close.
The performance was driven by renewed confidence in local economic growth prospects and an improved
outlook for corporate earnings, particularly as the effects of recently imposed US tariffs began to show
. Bank shares also received support from expectations of a Bank of Japan rate hike after stronger-than-expected economic data,
which typically boosts banks’ profitability by widening lending margins.
The auto sector was the standout performer,
with Toyota Motor shares rising 1.72% and Honda Motor gaining 1.56%,
supported by a 0.2% drop in the yen against the dollar,
which increased the appeal of exporters by boosting the value of overseas profits when converted back to the local currency.
Yen Weakness Supports Japanese Stocks Closing at Record Levels