Global Markets:
- Asian Stock Markets : Nikkei up 1.92%, Shanghai Composite down 0.15%, Hang Seng down 0.18% ASX up 0.66%
- Commodities : Gold at $4794.36 (-0.89%) Silver at $93.138 (0.55%), Brent Oil at $65.33 (0.14%), WTI Oil at $60.77 (0.25%)
- Rates : US 10-year yield at 4.256, UK 10-year yield at 4.4610, Germany 10-year yield at 2.8781
News & Data:
- (USD) Pending Home Sales m/m -9.3% to -0.3% expected
Markets Update:
Asian stock markets are trading mostly higher on Thursday, tracking broadly positive cues from Wall Street overnight, as investor sentiment improved following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum. Trump ruled out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland and eased concerns about a potential tariff war with Europe by stating that previously threatened tariffs would not be implemented. Asian markets had ended mostly lower on Wednesday.
Australian shares are notably higher, snapping a three-session losing streak. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 has moved back above the 8,800 level, supported by broad-based gains led by financial and energy stocks, although gold miners remain under pressure. Major miners and oil stocks are trading higher, while technology stocks are showing mixed performance. The upbeat market mood was reinforced by strong domestic data, with Australia’s unemployment rate falling to 4.1 percent in December, well below expectations. The economy added a robust 65,200 jobs during the month, driven largely by full-time employment growth.
Japanese stocks are also sharply higher, ending a five-session losing streak. The Nikkei 225 surged nearly 2 percent, led by gains in financial, technology, and exporter stocks, despite weaker-than-expected trade data for December.
Elsewhere in Asia, markets in South Korea, Taiwan, China, and Southeast Asia are mostly higher, while Hong Kong is slightly firmer. On Wall Street, U.S. stocks ended sharply higher after a volatile session, supported by renewed buying interest, while European markets closed mixed.
Upcoming Events:
- 01.30 PM GMT – USD Final GDP q/q
