Nikada
Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index saw a rise of 0.41%, reflecting a positive mood in the equity markets.
However, the Shanghai Composite in China took a hit, plummeting by 1.46% to reach its lowest levels in almost four years, with economic uncertainties continuing to weigh on investor sentiment.
The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong showed a moderate increase of 0.07%.
India’s SENSEX index surged by 0.89%, underlining the positive sentiment that swept across the region.
Australia’s ASX 200 surged by 1.47% to achieve an all-time high, backed by a notable decrease in producer inflation to 0.9% in Q4.
Investors also turned their attention to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s impending monetary policy decision scheduled for the following week, seeking additional cues on domestic rates.
In the U.S. on Thursday, all three major indexes concluded with gains. The rise was fueled by robust performances from major tech companies, despite Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicating that an interest rate cut in March is improbable.
On Friday, U.S. stock futures climbed higher, buoyed by the latest earnings reports: Dow (+0.02%); S&P 500 (+0.55%); Nasdaq (+0.95%).
Market participants are now eagerly anticipating the release of U.S. jobs figures later in the day, which could potentially guide the Fed’s forthcoming monetary policy decision.
Currencies: (JPY:USD), (CNY:USD), (AUD:USD), (INR:USD), (HKD:USD), (NZD:USD).
Insights on Asia’s Market Movement
