Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Thursday as investors assessed quarterly earnings from major technology companies, while oil and precious metals extended gains amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
By 11:45 am AEDT (12:45 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.8%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 was little changed, and South Korea’s KOSPI 200 slipped 0.3%.
Among regional corporate movers, Samsung Electronics pared early gains to slip 0.7% despite reporting more than a threefold surge in fourth-quarter profit, beating expectations and reaching a record level.
The performance was driven by a shortage of memory chips and strong demand linked to artificial intelligence servers.
United States markets ended Wednesday’s session mixed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 closed near flat, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.2%.
Energy and metals markets continued to climb. Brent crude rose 1.2% to settle at US$67.37 per barrel, its highest level since 29 September.
Spot gold surged 4.6% to finish at a fresh record high of US$5,418.55 per ounce. Silver also rallied, rising 4.2% to close at a record US$116.55 per ounce.
In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite edged up 0.3% to 4,151.2, while the CSI 300 also gained 0.3% to 4,718.0.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index hit a 54-month high, jumping 2.6% to 27,826.9 and marking its highest close since July 2021. India’s BSE Sensex added 0.6% to 82,344.7.
European markets finished mixed on Wednesday. The UK’s FTSE 100 declined 0.5% to 10,154.4, Germany’s DAX slipped 0.3% to 24,822.8, and France’s CAC 40 fell 1.1% to 8,066.7.
