Major stock indices across the Asia-Pacific region traded mixed on Wednesday, as sharp losses on Wall Street pushed investors toward safe-haven assets, lifting gold prices to a fresh all-time high.
Gold surged 2.5% to $4,876 per ounce, reflecting heightened risk aversion amid growing geopolitical and policy uncertainty. The rally in the precious metal followed remarks by US President Donald Trump, which unsettled global markets and prompted investors to reduce exposure to riskier assets.
Market participants are now closely watching developments at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where comments from global leaders—including Trump—are expected to provide further direction to financial markets.
In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 was trading 0.49% lower at 7:18 am CET, extending pressure from overnight US losses. Mainland Chinese markets showed resilience, with the Shanghai Composite up 0.28% and the Shenzhen Composite gaining 0.70%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was largely flat, reflecting cautious sentiment, while South Korea’s Kospi advanced 0.48%.
Meanwhile, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 ended the session 0.37% lower, tracking weakness in global equities.
Overall, mixed equity performance and the sharp rise in gold underscore a broader shift toward safety as investors weigh geopolitical risks, policy uncertainty, and signals from global leaders at Davos.
