Asia-Pacific markets started the week on mixed footing as investors awaited critical data releases from China and Japan.
ING described the week as “quiet” in terms of regional economic news, though upcoming reports could still shift market sentiment.
China’s loan prime rate (LPR) is set to be announced on Wednesday, with no changes expected. The one-year LPR remains at 3.1%, and the five-year rate stays at 3.6%.
Meanwhile, Japan is preparing to release trade data midweek, followed by October inflation numbers on Friday.
Australia’s central bank will publish minutes from its latest meeting on Tuesday, offering insights into monetary policy.
Regional Market Movements:
- Japan’s Nikkei 225 slid 1.09%, closing at 38,220.85, while the Topix index dipped 0.73% to 2,691.76.
- South Korea’s Kospi jumped 2.16% to 2,469.07, led by a 5.98% surge in Samsung Electronics. The Kosdaq added 0.6%, finishing at 689.55.
- Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.18% to 8,300.2, marking its third consecutive session of gains and hitting a one-month high.
- Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed 0.82% in late trading, while mainland China’s CSI 300 declined 0.46% to close at 3,950.38.
The global business landscape also felt the ripple effects of market activity.
In the United States, all three major indices ended lower last Friday as investors fretted over interest rates.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.70%, the S&P 500 shed 1.32%, and the Nasdaq Composite lost 2.24%.
Losses were led by pharmaceutical stocks, with Amgen down 4.2% and Moderna falling 7.3%.
As the region eyes key data releases, markets remain delicately balanced.
While South Korea and Australia found momentum, concerns over China’s economic trajectory and Japan’s inflation data add complexity to the week ahead.
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