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Asian Markets
APAC markets rise ahead of BoJ rate call
Asia-Pacific markets traded mostly higher on Friday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street as geopolitical concerns eased and investors turned their focus to the Bank of Japan’s policy decision. The Bank of Japan raised its growth outlook and maintained its hawkish inflation forecasts on Friday while keeping interest rates unchanged, signalling confidence that a moderate recovery could justify further increases in still-low borrowing costs, even as it warned that yen weakness may prompt firms to pass on higher import costs and lift underlying consumer prices. By 11:50 am AEDT (12:50 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was little changed, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 edged up 0.2%. South Korea’s KOSPI 200 outperformed the region, rising 1.1%. On the data front, Japan’s headline inflation rate slowed sharply in December, falling to 2.1% from 2.9% in the previous period, its lowest level since March 2022. Core inflation, which excludes fresh food, rose 2.4% year on year, in line with market expectations. Overnight in the United States, major benchmarks extended gains for a second consecutive session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 each added 0.6%, while the Nasdaq Composite closed 0.9% higher. Commodity
Asian Markets
APAC markets in the green as risk appetite returns
Asia-Pacific markets rebounded on Thursday as risk appetite returned, tracking gains on Wall Street after United States President Donald Trump walked back his threats to impose tariffs on European countries over Greenland. Investor sentiment improved further after Trump said at the World Economic Forum in Davos that he would not use force to acquire the Arctic island, easing fears of a potential escalation in geopolitical tensions. Trump also said via a post on Truth Social that he had “formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region”. By 11:40 am AEDT (12:40 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.8%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 had gained 1.1%, and South Korea’s KOSPI 200 was 1.5% higher. On the data front, South Korea’s economic growth slowed in the December quarter as a sharp slump in construction investment and weaker exports outweighed modest gains in household consumption. The economy expanded 1.5% year on year in the October–December period, according to central bank advance estimates, missing expectations of 1.9% and down from 1.8% growth in the prior quarter. In Japan, export growth in December undershot forecasts, rising 5.1% year on year, as shipments to th
Asian Markets
APAC markets in retreat amid renewed tariff rhetoric
Asia-Pacific markets fell on Wednesday, tracking sharp overnight losses on Wall Street overnight after President Donald Trump escalated rhetoric over Greenland, reviving fears of a broader trade confrontation between the United States and its allies. By 11:50 am AEDT (12:50 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.5%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.8%. South Korea’s KOSPI 200 also fell 0.5%. The declines followed a steep sell-off in U.S. markets on Tuesday, where major benchmarks recorded their worst performances in months. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.8%, the S&P 500 dropped 2.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite slid 2.4%. In commodity markets, oil prices rose, with Brent crude gaining 1.5% on Tuesday to settle at US$64.92 per barrel. Gold prices surged as investors sought safe-haven assets, with spot gold jumping 2% to settle at a fresh record high of US$4,763.67 per ounce. Chinese markets were mostly lower. The Shanghai Composite finished flat at 4,113.6, while the CSI 300 edged down 0.3% to 4,718.9. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index dipped 0.3% to 26,487.5, and India’s BSE Sensex fell 1.3% to a 14-week low of 82,180.5. European equities also closed lower on Tuesday amid mounting trade tension
Asian Markets
APAC markets fall as US-EU tensions linger
Asia-Pacific markets traded lower on Tuesday as investors assessed United States tariff threats linked to Greenland, which have heightened concerns about a widening rift between Washington and European capitals. European countries are reportedly discussing counter-tariffs and broader economic measures in response to President Donald Trump’s latest threats, further straining transatlantic relations over the disputed Arctic territory. By 11:40 am AEDT (12:40 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.5%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 had fallen 1%, and South Korea’s KOSPI 200 was 0.6% lower. In economic data, South Korea’s producer prices rose for a fourth straight month in December, underpinned by higher agricultural prices and a weaker local currency, according to central bank figures released on Tuesday. The producer price index increased 0.4% from November to 121.76, accelerating from a 0.3% monthly rise, preliminary data from the Bank of Korea showed. Meanwhile, U.S. markets remained closed on Monday for a public holiday, limiting directional cues for Asian investors. In commodities, Brent crude eased 0.3% on Monday to settle at US$63.94 a barrel, while spot gold jumped 1.6% to a fresh record high of US$4,670.30 an ounc
Asian Markets
APAC markets trade lower; China data in focus
Asia-Pacific markets were trading slightly weaker on Monday as investors assessed escalating rhetoric from the Trump administration over Greenland and braced for a heavy slate of economic data from China. Over the weekend, United States President Donald Trump and European leaders exchanged sharp comments over the Arctic territory, after Trump threatened tariffs on eight European countries while reiterating his demand for U.S. control of Greenland, which is part of Denmark. By 11:30 am AEDT (12:20 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.2%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.3%, while South Korea’s KOSPI 200 edged 0.1% lower. In Japan, fresh data showed a sharp deterioration in capital spending intentions. Core machinery orders fell a seasonally adjusted 11.0% month-on-month in November to 883.9 billion yen, according to the Cabinet Office. The result was well below expectations for a 5.1% decline, following a 7.0% increase in October. Meanwhile, China’s economy grew at its slowest pace in nearly three years in the fourth quarter, with gross domestic product (GDP) rising 4.5% as weaker domestic demand weighed on activity, even as full-year growth met Beijing’s 5% target, retail sales missed expectations with a 0.9% rise in D

Asian Markets
APAC markets mixed after Taiwan, US reach trade deal
Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Friday after Taiwan and the United States reached a trade agreement that would see Taiwan invest in the U.S. semiconductor sector. By 11:55 am AEDT (12:55 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 had gained 0.2% to 8,879.60 points and South Korea’s Kospi 200 had risen 0.5% to 699.77. Japan’s Nikkei 225 was down 0.5% to 53,835.74. The U.S. will cut tariffs on Taiwan from 20% to 15% under the new trade deal. Taiwan’s semiconductor industry will also invest at least US$250 billion in the U.S. technology sector, the U.S. said, and give $250 billion in credit guarantees to encourage further investment into U.S. chip manufacturing. Chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) surged past estimates to reach record profits, per its fourth quarter earnings report today. South Korea’s central bank held rates steady at 2.50% for a fifth consecutive meeting yesterday, meanwhile. In the United States, the S&P 500 climbed 0.3%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.6%, and the Nasdaq Composite increased 0.3% on Thursday. Brent crude prices fell 4.2% to $63.76 per barrel. Spot gold was down 0.1% to $4,614.93 per ounce. Taiwan’s TAIEX index fell 0.4% to 30,810.58 yesterday. The Shang
Asian Markets
APAC markets mixed, South Korea interest rates in focus
Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Thursday as South Korea’s central bank prepares to announce its interest rate decision. By 11:40 am AEDT (1:40 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 had gained 0.4% to 8,856.80 points and South Korea’s Kospi 200 had risen 0.1% to 686.53 while Japan’s Nikkei 225 was down 0.9% to 53,855.99. The Bank of Korea is likely to keep rates unchanged at 2.50% today, Reuters-polled economists forecast. It has held rates steady at its past four meetings. South Korea’s consumer price index rose by 2.1% in 2025, near the Bank of Korea’s target rate of 2%. Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party will dissolve the House of Representatives next week and call a snap election, the party’s secretary-general Shunichi Suzuki said yesterday. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is aiming to hold the election on 8 February, according to Reuters. India will release balance of trade and unemployment rate data for December later today. In the United States, the S&P 500 shed 0.5%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1% on Wednesday. Brent crude prices fell 1.4% to US$64.55 per barrel. Spot gold was up 0.7% to $4,620.60 per ounce, and reached all-time highs of $4,641.40 ear
Asian Markets
APAC markets mixed, Nikkei soars on Japan election news
Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Wednesday after Wall Street slumped, with Japan’s stocks soaring on expectations of a snap election next month. By 11:40 am AEDT (12:40 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dipped 0.1% to 8,802.10 and South Korea’s Kospi 200 rose 0.2%% to 682.27. Japan’s Nikkei 225 was up 0.9% to 54,037.95, crossing the 54,000 barrier for the first time. Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is stepping up preparations to call a snap election, news agency Jiji Press reported. The Nikkei also reached record highs yesterday on reports an election could be called for February. The LDP has reportedly told its prefecture-level chapters to submit their candidates for the House by Monday. It is likely to dissolve the country’s House of Representatives on 23 January, per NHK. China will report its balance of trade for December today. Its trade surplus in November was US$112 billion, its third-largest ever. India will also release wage price index data for December later today. The country’s headline inflation was 1.33% in December, beating estimates, according to its consumer price index report earlier this week. In the United States, the S&P 500 dropped 0.2%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 0
Asian Markets
APAC markets up; Nikkei hits record on election report
Asia-Pacific markets climbed on Tuesday after Wall Street hit new records, with the Nikkei surging to all-time highs following reports of a potential snap election in Japan next month. By 11:55 am AEDT (12:55 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 had gained 0.9% to 8,838.60 points, Japan’s Nikkei 225 was up 3.6% to 53,730.66 and South Korea’s Kospi 200 rose 0.8%% to 678.21. Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is likely to dissolve the country’s House of Representatives on 23 January, NHK reported, with an election possible in February. The Nikkei 225 reached a record 53,814.79 today following Monday’s public holiday. Australian consumer confidence fell 1.7% this month, per the Westpac-Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment report today. Expectations of family finances and economic conditions across the next 12 months dropped, and around 64% of respondents expect mortgage rates to rise this year. India’s annual consumer price index inflation increased 1.33% in December, according to data released yesterday. This is up from 0.71% in November but below ANZ estimates of 1.8%. In the United States, the S&P 500 closed 0.2% higher, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite increased 0.3%. The S&