Japan navigated another year of overall trade deficits, but a ballooning surplus with the United States has emerged as a critical point of focus, particularly as Japanese negotiators engage in tense discussions with the Trump administration over potential and existing tariffs.

Finance Ministry data released Thursday paints a complex picture of Japan’s trade dynamics against a backdrop of global economic friction.

Provisional statistics revealed that for the fiscal year ending in March, Japan recorded a global trade deficit totaling 5.2 trillion yen (approximately $37 billion).

This marked the fourth consecutive year the nation imported more goods and services than it exported overall.

Driving factors included a 4.7% rise in annual imports, exacerbated by a weaker Japanese yen which inflated the cost of bringing goods into the country.

However, overall exports also climbed 5.9%, boosted by robust shipments of vehicles and computer chips, as well as a notable influx of foreign tourists whose spending counts towards exports.

Contrastingly, Japan’s trade relationship with the United States yielded significantly different results.

The trade surplus with the US surged to 9 trillion yen (around $63 billion) during the same fiscal year.

This growing imbalance stands as a particularly sensitive issue for US President Donald Trump, who has frequently targeted such surpluses in his trade rhetoric.

Navigating the tariff gauntlet

The release of these figures coincides with ongoing negotiations in Washington, where Japanese officials are working to counter US tariff threats.

Japan, a long-standing key ally and major investor in the United States employing hundreds of thousands of Americans, finds itself navigating a challenging trade environment.

President Trump initially announced plans on April 2 to impose broad tariffs, including a potential 24% levy on imports from Japan.

While market reactions prompted a partial 90-day suspension of these new tariffs for many nations (excluding China, which faced increases up to 145%), Japan still confronts significant trade barriers.

It currently faces a 10% baseline tariff on various goods, alongside recently imposed 25% taxes on crucial exports like cars, auto parts, steel, and aluminum.

These duties present a considerable challenge for the administration of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

Monthly trends and shifting flows

Looking at more recent data, Japan registered a trade surplus of 544 billion yen (about $4 billion) for the month of March alone.

March exports saw a nearly 4% year-on-year increase, marking the sixth consecutive month of growth, although the pace slightly moderated compared to February.

Exports to the US grew by 3% in March, while shipments to the broader Asian region increased by 5.5%.

Notably, while direct exports to China decreased, shipments surged to other Asian economies like Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea.

This pattern led some analysts to speculate about strategic shifts in trade routes.

“This is likely due to the rerouting of exports within Asia to avoid tariff conflicts with the US,” commented Min Joo Kang, a senior economist at ING, in a report.

Concessions on the horizon?

The high stakes of the ongoing negotiations have fueled speculation among some analysts that Tokyo might eventually offer concessions to appease Washington, potentially involving increased imports of American agricultural products like rice.

Rice is a culturally significant and traditionally protected staple in Japan, but recent domestic shortages have driven up prices, perhaps creating an opening for such a move.

As negotiations continue, the juxtaposition of Japan’s overall trade deficit with its substantial and growing surplus with the United States underscores the complex pressures shaping global commerce and bilateral relations under the current tariff regime.

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Strava, the fitness tracking platform with over 150 million users globally, announced on Thursday that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Runna, a UK-based tech company known for its personalized running training plans and coaching.

The move signals Strava’s growing ambitions in the booming running space and its intent to broaden offerings beyond workout tracking.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Strava confirmed the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions.

Strava taps into rising interest in running

The acquisition comes at a time when global interest in running is surging.

According to Strava’s internal data, nearly one billion runs were logged on the platform in 2024, making running the fastest-growing sport globally.

Notably, Gen Z users have turned to running not just for fitness but as a way to find community and purpose.

“Coming off Strava’s accelerated innovation and unprecedented growth last year, it was the right time to look for complementary businesses that could create even greater value for our users,” said Michael Martin, chief executive officer of Strava.

“Runna’s mission to give every runner a personalized plan to achieve their goal is a perfect fit.”

The company highlighted that 43% of its users are aiming to complete a major race or event in 2025, driving a spike in demand for customized training plans.

Runna to remain independent for now

Runna, founded in 2021 by Dom Maskell and Ben Parker, has grown rapidly, becoming one of the most highly rated running apps across iOS and Android.

Officially launched in 2022, the app is now available in over 180 countries and was a finalist for Apple’s App of the Year in 2024.

Strava plans to keep Runna operating as a separate app for the foreseeable future while investing in its continued growth.

“I have been deeply impressed with Dom, Ben and the Runna team,” said Martin.

“Our plan is to keep the apps separate for the foreseeable future, to invest in growing the Runna team and further accelerate the development of the Runna app,” he said.

Co-founder Dom Maskell expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition. “We are delighted to become part of Strava,” he said.

“We’ve spent many hours with the Strava leadership and are excited to be on the same team.” Co-founder Ben Parker added that the partnership will allow Runna to enhance its services for runners around the world.

Broader commitment to open fitness ecosystem

The deal also aligns with Strava’s efforts to strengthen its developer ecosystem.

Over 100 training apps currently integrate with Strava’s API, and the company emphasized that this acquisition will not alter its commitment to being an open platform for developers.

“Strava is the community for all active people regardless of sport, skill level, location, app or device,” Martin said.

“We’re proud to recognize and invest in an API developer like Runna.”

As Strava continues to build on its position as a hub for active lifestyles, the acquisition of Runna reflects its broader strategy to offer more personalized, goal-driven experiences to its user base.

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Herbalife stock price has imploded in the past few years, erasing billions of dollars in value. HLF plunged from a high of $61.65 in February 2019 to $6.25 today, its lowest level since 2009. This article explains whether Herbalife is a good stock to buy the dip in and what to expect.

Why Herbalife stock has crashed

Herbalife is an American company in the multi-level marketing industry. It uses its large team of sellers to source new business in the US and other countries. These salespeople sell products like supplements, herbal tea, soups, and snacks. 

Herbalife became a popular company a few years ago when billionaires Bill Ackman and Carl Icahn took different stakes. Ackman placed a giant short trade on the company and accused it of running a pyramid scheme.

Icahn, on the other hand, invested in the company, hoping that it would push the stock much higher over time. This happened because Ackman had won a lawsuit against Icahn a few years earlier.

In the aftermath, Ackman closed his position, losing over $1 billion. Icahn then sold his stock, triggering a strong sell-off. Had Ackman not sold his stake, his funds would now be worth billions. 

Herbalife’s business has slowed in the past few years, which explains why the stock has imploded. Its annual revenue moved from $5.8 billion in 2021 to $4.933 billion last year.

The most recent results showed that Herbalife’s net sales dropped by 0.6% to $1.2 billion. This slowdown is expected to continue this year as demand for its products weakens because of the weight loss drugs by companies like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

HLF to continue its turnaround

Herbalife is now implementing a turnaround strategy as it seeks to boost its sales. As part of this strategy, the firm announced that Stephan Gratziani as the chief executive. 

The company has also continued to lower its debt. It slashed its debt by $250 million last year and is committed to reduce its debt by between $1 billion and $1.4 billion by the end of 2028.

Analysts expect this turnaround strategy will grow its sales in the next few years. The average estimate among analysts is that its first quarter revenue will be $1.22 billion, down by 3% from a year earlier. 

Herbalife’s revenue will then drop by 1.15% to $1.27 billion in the second quarter. The annual revenue will be $4.94 billion this year, followed by $5.14 billion next year. 

Its annual profit per share is expected to be $1.98 this year, followed by $2.51 next year. Herbalife often beats analyst estimates, which explains why they are bullish on the stock. The average HLF stock price forecast for the company is $9.33, up from the current $6.24.

Herbalife stock price technical analysis

HLF stock price chart | Source: TradingView

The weekly chart shows that the HLF stock price has been in a strong bearish trend in the past few years. This decline was in line with our prediction. It has crashed from a high of $58.95 in 2021 to the current $6.25. 

Most recently, the stock has formed a descending triangle pattern. This pattern comprises of a horizontal line and a descending trendline that connects the highest swing since last year.

A descending triangle is a popular bearish sign in the market. It has remained below the 50-week moving average. 

Therefore, the stock will likely continue falling as sellers target the key psychological point at $5. This price is about 20% below the current level. A move above the descending trendline will invalidate the bearish view.

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Shares of Wipro Ltd dropped as much as 6.3% on Thursday after the IT services firm issued a disappointing revenue forecast for the June quarter, raising concerns of a third consecutive year of decline amid persistent global tech spending cuts.

India’s fourth-largest IT exporter said on Wednesday it expects revenue in the April-June period to fall between 1.5% and 3.5% sequentially, with new Chief Executive Srini Pallia warning that “uncertainties have dramatically increased” going into the new fiscal year.

The guidance, analysts said, marks a worrisome start for fiscal 2026 and signals continued headwinds despite a leadership change.

Pallia, who took over in April 2024 following the abrupt exit of Thierry Delaporte, inherits a company grappling with a string of weak quarters, stalled large deals, talent attrition, and market share erosion.

Wipro shares were down 5% as of 11:51 am IST on Thursday, extending their year-to-date decline to 22.4%.

While that is marginally better than the broader Nifty IT index’s 24.8% fall, it underscores growing investor scepticism about the firm’s prospects.

Analysts warn of a third year of revenue contraction

Brokerages were quick to flag that Wipro’s first-quarter guidance could derail any early hopes of a recovery.

“The first quarter guidance sets the stage for another challenging year following two years of revenue decline,” analysts at Phillip Capital said in a note.

Several firms—including Nomura, Nuvama, Emkay, and ICICI Securities—trimmed their FY26 and FY27 earnings estimates, citing elevated macroeconomic uncertainty, slowing transformation project spends, and the lingering impact of geopolitical tensions and tariffs, particularly in key markets like the United States.

Nomura cut its FY26 earnings per share (EPS) estimates by 2–4% and revised the target price to ₹280 from ₹300.

It maintained a Buy rating, citing improved shareholder return policies, but warned that its earnings projections remain 8–9% below Bloomberg consensus.

Nuvama downgraded the stock to Hold and reduced its price target to ₹260, stating that Wipro’s weak first-quarter guidance jeopardizes the turnaround thesis.

The brokerage lowered its FY26/27 EPS estimates by up to 3.7%.

Muted forecast triggers widespread downgrades

At least nine out of the 39 analysts covering the stock have downgraded their ratings, while 20 have cut their price targets, according to LSEG data.

The average analyst rating remains at “Hold”, but the median target price has declined by nearly 14% to ₹250 over the past month.

Emkay Global said the company’s Q1 outlook factors in both potential demand recovery and further weakness.

It maintained a “Reduce” rating with a ₹260 target, highlighting low near-term visibility despite a strong deal pipeline.

ICICI Securities termed the March quarter’s performance “abysmal,” citing weak revenues and macro concerns—especially in discretionary-heavy sectors like auto and manufacturing.

The firm said the lone bright spot was the total contract value (TCV) from two large deal wins, but added that Wipro’s key challenge lies in translating orders into revenues and stabilising its European operations.

Brokerages remain cautious as growth triggers remain elusive

Motilal Oswal Financial Services (MOFSL) cut its FY26/FY27 EPS estimates by around 4%, anticipating a 1.9% YoY revenue decline in constant currency terms.

The brokerage retained its Sell rating with a target price of ₹215, implying a valuation of 17 times FY27 earnings.

Though some brokerages note positives such as improved capital allocation policies and a projected FY27 dividend yield of 4%, consensus suggests that the near-term outlook remains grim with little to spark a re-rating in the stock.

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AMD stock price has plunged since 2024, leading to a $245 billion wipeout as the market cap dropped from a high of $379 billion in 2024 to $134 billion today. It has also retreated to its lowest level since May 2023. 

Why AMD stock price crashed

AMD share price continued its downtrend this week as the trade war between the United States and China escalated. 

On Tuesday, Beijing ordered its airlines to pause deliveries from Boeing, the second-biggest airline manufacturer in the world. In response, the Trump administration asked its chip companies not to sell their less advanced products to China. 

NVIDIA has warned that these curbs will lead to a $5.5 hit to its business since the company still makes a lot of money from China. AMD has also warned that the curves will seriously affect its business this year.

These curbs come when there are concerns about the demand from data centers, which may also hurt its operations. There are signs that large companies that went on a spending spree on data centers are starting to scale back their operations. 

Microsoft, one of the top investors in data centers, has started to pause its operations in the US and other countries. This trend may continue to other companies like Amazon and Google.

AMD stock price has also plunged because its other segments, like embedded and gaming are not doing well, with their sales trajectory moving in the negative direction. 

All these factors have affected most companies in the semiconductor industry. NVIDIA’s stock price has plunged by over 30% from its highest point this year. 

Similarly, the top semiconductor ETFs like the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) and the iShares Semiconductor fund (SOXX) have moved into a bear market after falling by over 20% from their highest levels this year.

AMD’s growth is driven by the data center business

The most recent results showed that AMD’s business is primarily being driven by its data center business. This growth has helped it to grow its market share in the AI GPU industry.

The data center division’s revenue jumped by 69% to $3.8 billion in the fourth quarter, while its operating income stood at $1.157 billion. 

Its client segment, which sells chips like Ryzen for use in desktops and notebooks, rose by 58% to $2.3 billion. However, the revenue from the gaming and embedded businesses dropped by 59% and 13%.

AMD believes that its AI business will help to boost its growth over time. Its estimate is that first-quarter revenue will be about $7.1 billion, up by about 30% from a year earlier. 

The ongoing AMD stock crash has made it a fairly undervalued company. It has a forward P/E ratio of 34.5, lower than its five-year average of 94. The non-GAAP PE ratio of 19 is also lower than its historical level of 50.

AMD stock price analysis

AMD chart by TradingView

The weekly chart shows that the AMD share price has crashed in the past few months as we predicted here and here. It has crashed below the important support at $133, its highest level in July 2023.

The stock just plunged below the 50-week and 200-week Exponential Moving Averages (EMA). These two averages could cross each other soon, forming a death cross pattern, a popular bearish sign. 

AMD shares also dropped below the key support at $93.56, its lowest swing in October 2023. Top oscillators like the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and the MACD have all pointed downwards.

Therefore, there is a risk that the AMD stock price will keep falling as sellers target the key support at $55.25, the lowest swing in October 2022, which is about 37% below the current level. 

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