All posts tagged: Asian markets

Asian stocks track Wall Street tech bounce, oil eases on Middle East hope

Asian stocks track Wall Street tech bounce, oil eases on Middle East hope

Published by Sam Flores

HONG KONG: Asian stocks enjoyed a partial rebound from the previous day’s rout on Tuesday (Jun 9) as investors returned to the AI trade, while easing Middle East tensions also provided support and pushed oil prices down.  The gains across most equity markets followed a rebound on Wall Street, fuelled by a race to pick up cheaper assets following a sell-off sparked by bets on a US interest rate hike and warnings over tech firms’ valuations. News that the US economy had created more than double the number of jobs than expected in May indicated it remained in rude health but put pressure on the Federal Reserve to tighten monetary policy as it also battled surging inflation. That came after disappointing revenue forecasts from chip giant Broadcom had sparked jitters about the AI sector, which has helped drive markets to record highs this year. A plunge in tech firms in New York on Friday was followed by a similar collapse for their Asian counterparts on Monday, sending Seoul’s Kospi down more than 8 per cent. …

Asian stocks mixed as investors weigh Mideast ceasefire doubts, fallout worries

Asian stocks mixed as investors weigh Mideast ceasefire doubts, fallout worries

Published by Sam Flores

Markets digested the latest developments, weighing the long-term implications of already lost crude supply and the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz on emerging, energy-importing countries in Asia. “The conflict appears to have moved into a prolonged standoff rather than towards a swift or durable resolution,” MUFG analysts wrote in a note. “For markets, this environment implies continued disruption to energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.” Asian currencies also came under pressure: the Indonesian rupiah weakened to 17,185 a dollar, within striking distance of its all-time low of 17,193 a piece.  The rupiah has been under sustained pressure since the Middle East war broke out in late February, losing over 2 per cent to become one of the worst-hit regional currencies. All eyes are on Bank Indonesia’s monetary policy meeting later in the day, where the central bank is expected to keep rates unchanged. “BI is not expected to face immediate pressure to tighten policy, instead prioritising financial market stability in the near term,” said Radhika Rao, senior economist at DBS Bank. “Potential …

Shares are higher in Asia in an upbeat start to the new year

Shares are higher in Asia in an upbeat start to the new year

Published by Sam Flores

TOKYO: Asian markets made a bright start to 2026 on Friday (Jan 2) but volumes were thin with Tokyo and Shanghai still closed as investors awaited fresh direction from Wall Street. Stocks had a bumper 2025, with the S&P adding 16.4 per cent, the tech-rich Nasdaq 20.4 per cent and London’s FTSE enjoying its merriest Christmas in 16 years. In Asia, Seoul stocks whooshed 75 per cent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index bounced 28 per cent and Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 rocketed more than 26 per cent. “Naturally, the start of the new year comes with the question everyone asks moving from one year to the next: will this continue? The consensus is that, yes, it will,” said Kyle Rodda at Australian brokerage Capital.com. “When it comes to the all important US economy, Wall Street is pricing in growth will accelerate this year while inflation still moderates and interest rates get cut. Meanwhile, analysts predict that corporate fundamentals will improve,” Rodda said. Hong Kong was up 2.2 per cent Friday with chip designer Biren Technologies …

Stocks mixed, precious metals slip in quiet Asian trade

Stocks mixed, precious metals slip in quiet Asian trade

Published by Sam Flores

HONG KONG: Asian equities were mixed on Monday (Dec 29) in quiet post-Christmas trading as investors look ahead to the release of minutes from the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting this month, while precious metals retreated from record highs. Markets looked set to end the last few days of the year on a positive note, helped by hopes for more US interest rate cuts and optimism that the tech-led rally still has more legs. While the US central bank lowered borrowing costs earlier in December as expected, it also indicated it could stand pat when decision-makers gather again at the end of next month, with two voting against any move and one calling for a bigger reduction. The minutes from the meeting are due to be released on Tuesday, and traders will be poring over their contents for any indication about its plans for 2026. The prospect of cuts has helped push world markets ever higher this year, offsetting niggling worries about stretched valuations in the tech sector. On Monday, shares in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney, …