Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Tuesday, following record-setting gains on Wall Street overnight, as investors weighed the strength of corporate earnings against ongoing tariff concerns and assessed political developments in Japan.
By 11 am AEST (1 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.2%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 also gained 0.2% as markets reopened after the weekend election in which the ruling party lost its upper house majority. South Korea’s Kospi 200 declined by 0.2%.
Among data releases, the Reserve Bank of Australia’s latest meeting minutes showed that the recent decision to hold rates was primarily driven by a stronger-than-expected labour market and ongoing global uncertainty.
Earlier in the session, New Zealand trade data showed a 10% year-on-year rise in goods exports for June 2025, totalling NZ$6.6 billion. Imports rose more sharply - up 19% to $6.5 billion - resulting in a monthly trade surplus of $142 million.
In the United States, stocks ended Monday’s session mixed, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite clinching fresh record highs.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.04%, while the S&P 500 rose 0.1% to close at a new record. The Nasdaq Composite gained 0.4%, also reaching a fresh high, buoyed by strength in technology ahead of key earnings reports.
In commodities, Brent crude edged down 0.1% to US$69.21 per barrel. Spot gold jumped 1.4% to US$3,397.06 per ounce.
Chinese equities continued to rally, with the Shanghai Composite climbing 0.7% to a fresh nine-month high of 3,559.8. The CSI 300 index also advanced 0.7% to 4,085.6.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index extended its record-setting momentum, adding 0.7% to close at 24,994.1. India’s BSE Sensex ended the session up 0.5% at 82,200.3.
European markets also finished mixed. The UK’s FTSE 100 climbed 0.2% to a record high of 9,013.0. Germany’s DAX edged up 0.1% to 24,307.8, while France’s CAC 40 slipped 0.3% to 7,798.2.
