Asian stock markets displayed mixed results on Friday, reflecting the recent upward momentum encountered by Wall Street as it nears its all-time highs. This was prompted by U.S. economic data that aligned closely with forecasts, signaling a stable market outlook.
Trading commenced with Japan’s Nikkei 225 index dipping 0.9% to reach 36,491.80 after a significant rise of 3.4% the previous day. The Japanese yen showed a slight strengthening against the U.S. dollar, declining to 141.05 from 141.79 during early trading. This shift added pressure on Japan’s export sector, which is particularly sensitive to currency fluctuations.
Market analysts, including IG market analyst Yeap Jun Rong, anticipate that the upcoming Bank of Japan meeting will remain uneventful concerning interest rates. However, there are hints of a potential shift toward a more hawkish stance in coming months, especially as policymakers prepare for possible rate hikes in December and beyond. Later today, industrial production data is expected to be made public, which will provide insights into manufacturing demand in Japan and could impact the yen further.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index rose by 1.1%, reaching 17,422.75, while the Shanghai Composite saw a minor decrease of 0.1% to 2,714.77. Investors are keenly awaiting China’s monthly economic indicators, set for release on Saturday, with predictions suggesting a potential slowdown in key areas such as industrial output, fixed asset investment, and retail sales.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index edged up 0.3% to 8,096.00, while South Korea’s Kospi experienced a slight decline of 0.1%, landing at 2,568.41.
Meanwhile, on the U.S. front, the S&P 500 advanced 0.7% to 5,595.76, edging closer to its record achieved in July, just 1.3% shy of that peak. This upswing marks the S&P 500’s potential for a fourth weekly gain in five weeks. Additionally, the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw an increase of 0.6%, reaching 41,096.77, with the Nasdaq composite growing by 1% to hit 17,569.68.
A significant contributor to the S&P 500’s rise has been Nvidia, whose shares surged by 1.9%, culminating in a near 16% increase for the week. The tech giant appears to have regained stability after a tumultuous previous summer, which saw its stock plummet over 20% amidst concerns over inflated valuations in the artificial intelligence sector.
Recent economic snapshots indicate that although there was a slight uptick in U.S. unemployment claims last week, numbers remain historically low. Additionally, the wholesale price index showed a 1.7% rise in August compared to the previous year, indicating a slowdown from July’s rates. This trend is reflected in a broader inflation measure that surpassed forecasts, keeping traders engaged with expectations for a modest quarter-point interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve next week.
As for the bond market, yields on the 10-year Treasury increased marginally from 3.66% to 3.68%. This stabilization follows a decline since April, driven by anticipations of forthcoming rate reductions. This environment has encouraged the average rate for a 30-year mortgage to drop to its lowest in 19 months.
In energy markets, benchmark U.S. crude prices rose by 31 cents, reaching $68.28 per barrel, while Brent crude also saw a similar increase, settling at $72.28. The euro exchanged at $1.1086, reflecting a slight rise from $1.1074.
As the financial landscape evolves, market participants remain alert to economic signals and data releases that could inform trading strategies and investment decisions in both domestic and overseas markets.