Most Asian stocks moved in a flat-to-low range on Friday amid growing concerns over increased U.S. trade tariffs and sticky inflation, while an artificial intelligence-fueled rally in Chinese stocks powered on.
Regional markets took limited cues from a strong overnight close on Wall Street, as investors were relieved by U.S. President Donald Trump not immediately imposing reciprocal tariffs, as he had earlier threatened.
But U.S. stock index futures were flat in Asian trade, given that Trump still signed an order outlining plans to impose higher duties on major U.S. trading partners. Hotter-than-expected producer inflation data also added to angst over higher for longer interest rates, following a strong consumer inflation reading earlier this week.
Chinese shares- particularly major tech stocks in Hong Kong- remained key outperformers in Asia, especially after the release of the DeepSeek AI in late-January.
Australian markets also hit record highs, as investors positioned for an interest rate cut by the Reserve Bank of Australia next week.
Other Asian markets were less upbeat. Japan’s Nikkei 225 and TOPIX indexes fell 0.5% and 0.1%, respectively, as local exporters were pressured by a sharp overnight recovery in the yen.
Singapore’s Straits Times index fell 0.4%, even as the country’s fourth-quarter gross domestic product grew much more than expected.
South Korea’s KOSPI added 0.4% on persistent gains in tech stocks, while futures for India’s Nifty 50 index pointed to a flat open, as investors digested mixed signals from a meeting between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Most Asian stocks moved in a flat-to-low range on Friday amid growing concerns over increased U.S. trade tariffs and sticky inflation, while an artificial intelligence-fueled rally in Chinese stocks powered on.
Regional markets took limited cues from a strong overnight close on Wall Street, as investors were relieved by U.S. President Donald Trump not immediately imposing reciprocal tariffs, as he had earlier threatened.
But U.S. stock index futures were flat in Asian trade, given that Trump still signed an order outlining plans to impose higher duties on major U.S. trading partners. Hotter-than-expected producer inflation data also added to angst over higher for longer interest rates, following a strong consumer inflation reading earlier this week.
Chinese shares- particularly major tech stocks in Hong Kong- remained key outperformers in Asia, especially after the release of the DeepSeek AI in late-January.
Australian markets also hit record highs, as investors positioned for an interest rate cut by the Reserve Bank of Australia next week.
Other Asian markets were less upbeat. Japan’s Nikkei 225 and TOPIX indexes fell 0.5% and 0.1%, respectively, as local exporters were pressured by a sharp overnight recovery in the yen.
Singapore’s Straits Times index fell 0.4%, even as the country’s fourth-quarter gross domestic product grew much more than expected.
South Korea’s KOSPI added 0.4% on persistent gains in tech stocks, while futures for India’s Nifty 50 index pointed to a flat open, as investors digested mixed signals from a meeting between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Source : Investing.com