Japan stocks rose amid broader gains in Asia as Nissan, Honda reportedly finalize mergers next year

Asia-Pacific markets opened the holiday-shortened Christmas week on a positive note, with investors awaiting an official announcement on mergers by Japanese carmakers. Honda. And Nissan.

The companies, which aim to reach a “final deal” by June 2025, are considering a set-up. By the summer of 2026 a new holding company led by a Honda executive.NHK said.

The presidents of Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi have notified Japan’s industry ministry of entering into merger talks. Kyodo News reported. Monday He is expected to hold a press conference on Monday afternoon, according to a Google translation of the report in Japanese.

Honda and Nissan Board meetings are expected to be held Monday to “enter full-scale negotiations for a business merger, and then sign a memorandum of understanding,” according to public broadcaster NHK.

Honda shares rose 3.82 percent, while Nissan shares saw a smaller gain of 1.58 percent.

Nissan shares Last Wednesday saw a record increase.Following a Media report that the struggling Japanese automaker is trying to merge with Honda.

Expected US inflation data on Friday helped boost the broader Asian market.

of Japan Nikki 225 It climbed 1.19% to 39,161.34, while the Topix added 0.92% to 2,726.74.

of South Korea Kospi Gained 1.57% to close at 2,442.01, and the small-cap Kosdaq rose 1.64% to 679.24.

of Australia S&P/ASX 200 1.67 percent to close at 8,201.6.

of Hong Kong Hang Seng Index It gained 0.74 percent in its last hour, while mainland China’s CSI 300 ended up 0.15 percent at 3,933.57.

In the US, all three major indexes rose on Friday. gave Dow Jones Industrial Average 1.18% increased, while S&P 500 Added 1.09% and tech heavy. Nasdaq Composite Advanced 1.03%

gave Price Index of Personal Consumption Expenditurethe Fed’s preferred measure of inflation, accelerated to 2.4% in November from 2.3% the previous month, but was still below the Dow Jones estimate of 2.5%.

Excluding food and energy, core PCE rose 2.8% from a year earlier, slightly below expectations of 2.9%.

– CNBC’s Brian Evans, Sean Conlon and Jeff Cox contributed to this report.