Global Markets:
- Asian Stock Markets : Nikkei down 1.25%, Shanghai Composite down 1.26%, Hang Seng down 0.59% ASX down 0.05%
- Commodities : Gold at $5,010.31 (0.26%) Silver at $77.718 (0.11%), Brent Oil at $71.92 (0.36%), WTI Oil at $66.67 (0.47%)
- Rates : US 10-year yield at 4.070, UK 10-year yield at 4.3710, Germany 10-year yield at 2.7451
News & Data:
- (USD) Unemployment Claims 206K to 223K expected
Markets Update:
Asian stock markets are trading mostly lower on Friday, following negative cues from Wall Street amid renewed concerns about a potential U.S. military intervention in Iran. Trading activity remained thin due to Lunar New Year holidays in China and Taiwan, while investors stayed cautious ahead of key U.S. inflation data that could influence interest rate expectations.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 is down 0.15 percent to around 9,072, ending a five-session winning streak. Technology stocks led the decline, with WiseTech, Xero, and Appen posting sharp losses, while miners showed mixed performance. BHP, Fortescue, and Mineral Resources gained, but Rio Tinto declined after weaker earnings. Financial stocks were mixed, while oil and gold stocks showed varied movements. Notably, Alliance Aviation, Guzman y Gomez, and Inghams fell sharply on disappointing updates, while Latitude Group and QBE Insurance surged on strong results.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 is down about 1.3 percent, with losses across technology, banking, and export sectors. Major names like SoftBank, Toyota, Sony, and Tokyo Electron declined. However, some industrial stocks gained. Japan’s inflation eased to 1.5 percent in January, while PMI data showed continued economic expansion.
Elsewhere in Asia, most markets declined, though South Korea rose. Wall Street and European markets also closed lower, while oil prices climbed on geopolitical tensions.
Upcoming Events:
- 01:30 PM GMT – USD Advance GDP q/q
- 01:30 PM GMT – USD Core PCE Price Index m/m
