TOKYO, April 11 (Reuters) – Berkshire Hathaway Inc’s (BRKa.N) Warren Buffett is considering additional investment in Japanese stocks and said he holds a 7.4% stake in each of five Japanese trading houses, including Itochu Corp (8001.T), the Nikkei reported on Tuesday.

In an interview with the newspaper, Buffett also said he would visit Japanese trading houses and Tungaloy Corp offices during his stay in Japan this time.

Berkshire Hathaway had more than a 6% stake in each of those five trading houses, according to regulatory filings made in November last year.

Full coverage: REUTERS

China’s Consumer, Factory Prices Skid As Demand Falters

BEIJING, April 11 (Reuters) – China’s consumer inflation hit an 18-month low and factory-gate price declines sped up in March as demand stayed persistently weak, shoring up the case for policymakers to take more steps to support the uneven economic recovery.

In contrast to surging prices globally, China’s retail and producer inflation has remained anaemic as the consumer and industrial sectors struggle to recover from their pandemic hit. Analysts now think consumer inflation could fall short of Beijing’s official targets this year.

Full coverage: REUTERS

Oil Rises On China Stimulus Expectations, Weaker Dollar

CHENNAI, April 11 (Reuters) – Oil prices rose on Tuesday on expectations of potential economic stimulus by China, healthy demand in the rest of Asia and a drop in U.S. crude stockpiles.

Brent crude futures rose 64 cents, or 0.8%, to $84.82 a barrel at 0557 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures gained 67 cents, or 0.8%, to $80.41 a barrel.

Data from China showed that consumer inflation in March hit the slowest pace since September 2021, suggesting demand weakness persists amid an uneven economic recovery, which spurred expectations Beijing may take steps to boost growth.

Full coverage: REUTERS

Asia Stocks Rise On Hopes Regional Central Banks Hold Steady On Rates

HONG KONG, April 11 (Reuters) – Asia stock prices rose on Tuesday, boosted by investor optimism that the region’s central banks will continue to pause or end interest rate increase cycles, whatever action the U.S. Federal Reserve takes.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) rose 0.44% as trading resumed after a long holiday weekend in many major Asian markets.

On Tuesday morning, South Korea’s central bank held interest rates steady for a second consecutive meeting, as expected.

Full coverage: REUTERS

Morning Bid: Asia Stocks Bounce As Dovish Central Banks Lift The Mood

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Kevin Buckland.

Asian stocks put in a strong showing on their return to full trading globally after the Easter break, with Australian investors coming back to a 1.3% rally in their equity benchmark.

In Japan, where it had been trading as usual over the holiday period, the Nikkei jumped 1.4% after new Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda signalled overnight he would stick to ultra-easy stimulus for now, knocking down the yen. The market got an additional boost after Warren Buffett said he plans to add to Japanese investments.

Full coverage: REUTERS