Stock market today: Asia stocks track Wall Street gains, Japan shares hit record high
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Japanese stocks set a record high after U.S. stocks climbed to all-time highs. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 jumped 1.9% and ended at 39,940.00. Japan's unemployment rate dropped to 2.4% in January. China's manufacturing activity contracted for the fifth consecutive month in February. Investors are anticipating policies to revitalize the economy at China's upcoming National People's Congress. The S&P 500 rose 0.5% to 5,096.27, the Nasdaq composite gained 0.9% to 38,996.39, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.1% to 38,996.39. Yields eased after an inflation report showed prices rose as expected. The Federal Reserve may begin cutting interest rates in June. U.S. benchmark crude oil reached $78.50 per barrel. The U.S. dollar rose to 150.34 Japanese yen from 149.98 yen.

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https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/stock-market-today-asia-stocks-track-wall-street-107708314