The Asian stock markets displayed a mixed performance in today’s trading session, with some indices showing marginal gains while others ended in red.
Gainers:
- Shanghai Composite Index: Trading at 3,407.33, up by +7.18 points (+0.21%).
- Shenzhen Component Index: Trading at 10,671.16, up by +11.18 points (+0.10%).
- Straits Times Index (STI): Trading at 3,784.39, up by +12.76 points (+0.34%).
- NZX 50: Trading at 13,270.01, up by +64.91 points (+0.49%).
- Malaysia Composite Index: Trading at 1,636.35, up by +8.21 points (+0.50%).
Losers:
- Nikkei 225: Trading at 39,894.54, down by -386.62 points (-0.96%).
- Hang Seng Index (HSI): Trading at 20,041.42, down by -49.04 points (-0.24%).
- KOSPI: Trading at 2,399.49, down by -5.28 points (-0.22%).
- ASX 200: Trading at 8,235.00, down by -26.80 points (-0.32%).
- NIFTY 50: Trading at 23,664.00, down by -149.40 points (-0.63%).
- Taiwan Weighted Index: Trading at 23,190.20, down by -85.48 points (-0.37%).
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index broke its five-day winning streak, with markets seeing a pullback on Monday. Shares in Australia slid, and Japan’s Nikkei 225 also declined, reflecting cautious sentiment. Meanwhile, US Treasury yields held steady in early trading after climbing last week. Trading activity remains subdued due to the year-end holiday season, amplifying potential market fluctuations.
“With negative cues from US equity markets, Asian stocks are starting the week on a softer note,” wrote Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone Group, in a research note. “Local markets are heavily influenced by end-of-year portfolio adjustments and the likelihood of active managers reducing risk as the year comes to a close.”
Despite Monday’s losses, Asian equities are set to close the year on a positive note. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index has gained 7.9% in 2024, supported by central banks easing monetary policies and a rally in tech stocks driven by optimism surrounding advancements in artificial intelligence.
