Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Monday after a turbulent trading week, as investors assessed economic data and trade policy developments.
By 11:30 am AEDT (12:30 am GMT) Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.3% after closing at a six-month low in the previous session. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.4%, while South Korea’s Kospi edged down 0.1%.
Among data releases, Japan recorded a current account deficit of ¥257.6 billion in January, according to preliminary data from the Ministry of Finance. Exports increased 2.1% year-on-year to ¥7.502 trillion, while imports surged 17.7% to ¥10.440 trillion.
China’s consumer inflation fell below zero for the first time in 13 months due to seasonal distortions and deflationary pressures. The consumer price index (CPI) declined 0.7% year-on-year in February, reversing a 0.5% gain in January, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Over the weekend, China announced retaliatory tariffs on Canadian agricultural goods following Ottawa’s earlier import duties on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum.
Beijing imposed a 100% tariff on Canadian rapeseed oil, oil cakes, and peas, while a 25% levy was placed on aquatic products and pork.
On Friday, Wall Street saw moderate gains despite a volatile session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 222.6 points, or 0.5%, to close at 42,801.7, The S&P 500 rose 0.6% to 5,770.2, the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.7% to 18,196.2.
In commodities, Brent crude climbed 1.3% to US$70.36 per barrel, while spot gold eased 0.1% to $2,909.55 per ounce.
Chinese equities showed mixed performance, with the Shanghai Composite down 0.3% to 3,372.5, and the CSI 300 also losing 0.3% to 3,944.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index declined 0.6% to 24,231.3, while India’s BSE Sensex remained flat at 74,332.6.
In Europe, markets closed lower, with the FTSE 100 flat at 8,679.9, Germany’s DAX down 1.8% to 23,008.9, and France’s CAC 40 declining 0.9% to 8,120.8.
