Global Markets:
- Asian Stock Markets : Nikkei down 0.37%, Shanghai Composite up 0.14%, Hang Seng down 0.87% ASX down 0.03%
- Commodities : Gold at $4,349.70 (-0.87%), Silver at $71.875 (-7.76%), Brent Oil at $61.35 (+0.03%), WTI Oil at $57.97 (+0.03%)
- Rates : US 10-year yield at 4.131, UK 10-year yield at 4.5010, Germany 10-year yield at 2.8533
News & Data:
- (USD) Chicago PMI 43.5 to 39.8 expected
Markets Update:
Stocks across the Asia-Pacific region traded within a narrow range on Wednesday as subdued activity prevailed amid multiple market closures for New Year’s Eve. Several key exchanges, including those in South Korea, Japan, and Thailand, remained closed for the holiday. Markets in Australia and New Zealand ended trading early, while Hong Kong was also scheduled for an early close, contributing to thin volumes and muted price movements across the region.
In Australia, equities finished the shortened session slightly lower. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index slipped by 2.8 points, or 0.03 percent, to close at 8,714.30. The broader All Ordinaries Index also edged down, losing 3.6 points, or 0.04 percent, to settle at 9,018.80, reflecting cautious sentiment among investors.
Chinese equities showed mixed performance during morning trading. The Shanghai Composite Index was down 1.55 points at 3,963.57 shortly before the end of the morning session. Meanwhile, economic data offered some support to sentiment. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China’s Composite PMI Output Index rose to 50.7 in December from 49.7 in November, marking its highest level since June. The Manufacturing PMI also surprised on the upside, climbing to 50.1 and exceeding market expectations of 49.2.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index was down 245.6 points, or 0.95 percent, at 25,609 in early trading, ahead of its early market close.
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