Global Markets:
- Asian Stock Markets : Nikkei up 1.96%, Shanghai Composite up 1.20%, Hang Seng up 0.80% ASX up 0.89%
- Commodities : Gold at $5,202.11 (0.50%) Silver at $89.210 (1.91%), Brent Oil at $71.08 (0.71%), WTI Oil at $66.11 (0.73%)
- Rates : US 10-year yield at 4.045, UK 10-year yield at 4.3070, Germany 10-year yield at 2.7076
News & Data:
- (USD) Richmond Manufacturing Index -10 to -8 expected
Markets Update:
Asian stock markets are trading mostly higher on Wednesday, supported by strong gains on Wall Street overnight, particularly in technology stocks. The rally followed easing concerns about potential disruptions from artificial intelligence, after AI firm Anthropic highlighted that its Claude chatbot would integrate with existing businesses rather than replace them. However, investors remain cautious due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Asian markets had also ended mostly higher on Tuesday.
Australian shares are sharply higher, with the S&P/ASX 200 rising above 9,100, led by gains in mining and technology stocks. Major miners such as BHP, Fortescue, and Rio Tinto advanced, while technology stocks including Block, Zip, Xero, and WiseTech posted strong gains. Banking and gold stocks also moved higher. Meanwhile, inflation in Australia rose 3.8 percent annually in January, while construction activity declined slightly in the fourth quarter.
Japanese stocks are also trading strongly, with the Nikkei 225 reaching record highs, supported by gains in technology and automobile shares. Companies such as SoftBank, Toyota, and Advantest posted solid gains, although financial stocks declined.
Elsewhere in Asia, markets in South Korea, Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong are trading higher. Wall Street also ended sharply higher on Tuesday, with the Nasdaq leading gains, while crude oil prices declined amid ongoing tariff-related uncertainty.
Upcoming Events:
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