Asian markets kicked off Thursday in a swirl of anticipation, riding the wake of a US Federal Reserve rate cut, a move that had traders eyeing both stimulus-fueled highs and the shadows of global uncertainty.
From Tokyo to Sydney, a mosaic of divergent moves unfolded across the region, as investors tried to decode what looser US policy means for their own portfolios.
While some indices started on the front foot, others hesitated, reflecting both optimism and wariness after the world’s most-watched central bank signaled it prefers slow, careful easing over aggressive stimulus.
Asian markets see mixed early moves
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 greeted the news with a bullish jump, rising around 1.04% to notch yet another record high in early trade.
The rally was helped by strong tech and real estate shares, a testament to local investors’ faith in resilient corporate profits, even as the Bank of Japan’s upcoming meeting kept some nerves on edge.
South Korea’s Kospi 100 followed suit, tacking on a 1.33% as traders piled back into chipmakers and exporters refreshed by the prospect of easier global money flows.
Meanwhile, over in Sydney, Australia’s ASX 200 slipped around 0.5% at the open, with energy and mining names dragging on sentiment after soft overnight commodity moves and a hint of caution around local inflation pressures.
Market watchers say local catalysts, like the RBA’s stance, could keep Aussie equities marching to a different beat than their Northern neighbors, at least in the short run.
Hang Seng down 0.3%, Shanghai up 0.2%
East Asia’s other heavyweight indices also reflected the global uncertainty.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index edged lower by about 0.3%, erasing earlier gains as traders digested the Fed’s cautious outlook and a mixed bag of corporate news.
Mainland China’s markets mirrored the indecision; the Shanghai Composite ticked up just 0.2% in choppy trade, with big players in tech and e-commerce offset by softness in traditional manufacturers.
While the Fed’s pivot was a major talking point, local headlines, from China’s move to boost AI chip demand to lingering trade deal speculation, reminded investors that Asian fortunes are shaped by more than just US monetary winds.
India’s Sensex and Nifty 50 are expected to continue their upward momentum on Thursday, driven by positive global cues and optimism around the US Federal Reserve’s rate cut.
Nifty is likely to test resistance near 25,500-25,600, with strong support around 25,000.
Banking and IT sectors will lead gains, while overall market sentiment remains cautiously optimistic amid ongoing US-India trade talks.
The early hours set the stage for a session where global and local stories will continue to dance side by side, with every tick watched for a hint of what’s ahead.
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