Global Markets:
- Asian Stock Markets : Nikkei down 0.81%, Shanghai Composite up 1.85%, Hang Seng up 2.22% ASX up 0.06%
- Commodities : Gold at $2028.5 (0.12%), Silver at $22.67 (0.64%), Brent Oil at $79.22 (0.14%), WTI Oil at $74.67 (0.15%)
- Rates : US 10-year yield at 4.113, UK 10-year yield at 4.032, Germany 10-year yield at 2.339
News & Data:
- (USD) CB Leading Index m/m -0.1% vs -0.3% expected
Markets Update:
On Wednesday, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index surged 2.22%, driven by a tech stock rally, notably with Alibaba gaining 6.57% after founder Jack Ma’s reported $50 million investment. In contrast, the mainland Chinese CSI 300 dipped 0.45%. Japan’s positive economic data, exceeding expectations in December exports, resulted in a $62.1 billion trade surplus, while Australia saw an expansion in manufacturing activity.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 marginally rose to 7,519.2, marking four consecutive days of gains. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slid 0.26%, and the Topix experienced a smaller loss of 0.15%. South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.43%, with major stocks like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix seeing significant losses. The small-cap Kosdaq also dropped by 1.35%.
In the U.S. overnight, the S&P 500 set a new all-time high of 4,864.60 with a 0.29% gain, driven by positive corporate earnings assessments. The Nasdaq Composite advanced by 0.43%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average snapped a three-day winning streak, falling 0.25% below the 38,000 level reached on Monday.
Upcoming Events:
- 2:45 PM GMT – CAD Overnight Rate
- 2:45 PM GMT – USD Flash Manufacturing PMI
- 2:45 PM GMT – USD Flash Services PMI
