US stocks declined amid profit-taking, with Intel shares rising 2.9% to $25.51 after the US government announced acquiring a 10% stake in the company. However, Intel warned the deal might pose risks to its business, including harming international sales. Investors are awaiting earnings reports from Nvidia after Wednesday’s close, followed by Dell and Marvell Technology, seeking signs of continued momentum in the tech sector. JD.com shares jumped 17.2%, nearing their strongest level since September 2022, after Keurig Dr Pepper announced it would acquire the Dutch coffee company in a €15.7 billion ($18.4 billion) deal. The broader markets faced pressure following Friday’s gains when Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell hinted at a possible interest rate cut next month, citing increased risks to the labor market.

The Stoxx 600 index was affected by a 15.5% drop in Danish company Orsted shares after the Trump administration ordered a halt to advanced construction of an offshore wind project near Rhode Island. Orsted said it would proceed with the planned rights issue despite the US order. Shares of other renewable energy companies, including Vestas Wind and Siemens Energy, fell 3.2% and 2%, respectively. French pharmaceutical company Valneva’s shares plunged nearly 20% after the US FDA suspended its chikungunya vaccine license with immediate effect. Japan’s Nikkei index rose 0.4% to close at 42,807.82 points, with the broader Topix index increasing just under 0.2%. SoftBank Group and semiconductor test equipment maker Advantest were among the largest contributors to the Nikkei’s gains, with their shares rising 3.5% and 1.1%, respectively. Meanwhile, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda highlighted wage growth supporting conditions for resuming interest rate hikes.

Divergent central bank policies led to a stronger yen, negatively impacting revenue forecasts for Japanese exporters.