Asia-Pacific markets had a mixed performance on Monday as investors remained cautious over escalating trade tensions. U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a blanket 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, keeping market sentiment on edge.
Japan And South Korea End Session Flat
Japan’s Nikkei 225 ended the day unchanged at 38,801.17, while the broader Topix index slipped 0.15% to 2,733.01. Meanwhile, Japan’s loan growth slowed slightly to 3% year on year in January, compared to 3.1% in December.
In South Korea, the Kospi closed flat at 2,521.27, whereas the small-cap Kosdaq gained 0.91%, finishing at 749.67.
China’s Markets Rebound As Inflation Surges
Mainland China’s CSI 300 Index reversed early losses to close 0.21% higher at 3,901.06. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index surged 1.76% in the final hour of trading.
Fresh inflation data from China revealed a spike in consumer prices, reaching a five-month high in January due to increased spending ahead of the Lunar New Year. The consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.7% month-on-month and 0.5% year-on-year, exceeding the 0.4% increase expected by analysts. However, the producer price index (PPI) fell 2.3% compared to the previous year, marking a steeper decline than the 2.1% drop projected.
India’s Markets Extend Losses After Rate Cut
Indian equities continued their downward trend following the Reserve Bank of India’s first interest rate cut in five years. The Nifty 50 dropped 0.91%, while the BSE Sensex fell 0.87% by midday local time.
Singapore Hits Record High, Australia Declines
Singapore’s Straits Times Index (STI) reached an all-time high of 3,910.12 points, buoyed by strong gains in Singapore Telecommunications, along with local banking giants DBS Group Holdings, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC), and United Overseas Bank (UOB). The STI was up 0.53% in the last hour of trade.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.34%, closing at 8,482.80, reflecting broader market caution.
Investors Brace For Volatility
With ongoing trade uncertainties and fresh economic data in focus, investors will be closely watching policy developments and market reactions in the coming days.
