Global Markets:
- Asian Stock Markets : Nikkei up 2.39%, Shanghai Composite down 0.02%, Hang Seng up 0.43% ASX up 0.14%
- Commodities : Gold at $5,048.51 (-0.60%) Silver at $80.940 (-1.57%), Brent Oil at $68.85 (-0.28%), WTI Oil at $64.14 (-0.34%)
- Rates : US 10-year yield at 4.183, UK 10-year yield at 4.5280, Germany 10-year yield at 2.8394
News & Data:
- (EUR) Sentix Investor Confidence 4.2 to -0.2 expected
Markets Update:
Asian stock markets traded mostly higher on Tuesday, supported by positive cues from Wall Street and continued strength in Japan after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s decisive election victory. However, investors remained cautious ahead of key U.S. economic data, including retail sales, inflation, and the delayed monthly jobs report, which could shape the Federal Reserve’s interest rate outlook. Markets currently expect the Fed to hold rates steady until June, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.26 percent to 8,892.80, led by gains in mining, energy, and technology stocks, though financials weakened. Major miners including BHP, Rio Tinto, and Mineral Resources advanced over 1 percent. Energy shares were mostly higher, while tech stocks showed mixed performance. Banking stocks declined, with Commonwealth Bank and Westpac posting notable losses. G8 Education plunged over 17 percent after announcing a goodwill impairment, while Treasury Wine Estates gained more than 6 percent following a U.S. settlement.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged nearly 3 percent to above 57,900, reaching record levels, with strong gains in SoftBank, exporters, and financial stocks. Other Asian markets also advanced, while Wall Street closed higher overnight, supported by gains in technology shares and record highs in major indices.
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