empty
19.02.2021 02:10 PM
Asian stocks edge lower

This image is no longer relevant

Stock markets across the Asia-Pacific region edged lower this morning. Major stock indices began a downward trend, but some indicators managed to advance. The downside momentum can be attributed to negative dynamics in the equity markets of the United States.

Japan's Nikkei 225 shed 0.72%. Notably, the index has been declining for the third trading session in a row.

Japanese investors are assessing statistics on the country's economy. As it became known, Japan's core consumer prices fell by 0.6% in January from a year earlier. However, in the previous month, a drop in consumer prices was even greater. The country's CPI dipped by 1.2% in December. At the same time, most experts predicted a 1% reduction in January.

Another key indicator that is of great importance for the country's main regulator - the level of consumer prices excluding fresh food - also decreased by 0.6%, surging from a 1% drop in December. In this case, the result almost matched its initial forecast of a 0.7% reduction.

Japan's services PMI index also dipped in February, marking its lowest level in the last six months. The indicator fell to 45.8 from January's final of 46.1. Moreover, this was the 13th straight month of contraction in the service sector.

However, there are some positive reports. Japan's factory activity, on the contrary, is gaining ground. The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index increased to 50.6 from its previous value of 49.8. Recall that a reading above 50 indicates an expansion of the manufacturing sector. Moreover, the industry has not seen such a high index for almost two years.

China's Shanghai Composite Index sank 0.57% today. The Hong Kong Hang Seng Index followed suit, losing 0.17%.

South Korea's KOSPI index was among the lucky ones which managed to edge higher. It increased by 0.68%.

The Australian S&P/ASX 200 index showed negative dynamics, shedding 1.34%. At the same time, statistics across the country are far from positive. In particular, retail sales declined by 0.6% in January, compared to a 4.1% drop in the previous month. However, analysts expected the indicator to contract by about 2%.

The Australian Services Purchasing Managers Index decreased to 54.1 in February. However, a reading above 50 points indicates that activity in this area is expanding. However, the previous reading was 55.8. This suggests that activity has still declined, and even considerably.

Maria Shablon,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

US Market News Digest for April 22

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 continue to slide as mounting concerns over slowing economic growth and the impact of trade tariffs weigh on sentiment. The market remains volatile, with

Ekaterina Kiseleva 11:13 2025-04-22 UTC+2

Trump, Fed, and gold at $3,000? Markets respond to alarming signals

Investors are worried about the Fed's independence under Trump. US assets are falling, and the dollar is at a three-year low against the euro. Safe-haven currencies like

11:46 2025-04-21 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for April 21

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq slipped once again after Donald Trump lashed out at the Federal Reserve. His comments called the independence of the central bank into question, amplifying inflation

Ekaterina Kiseleva 11:41 2025-04-21 UTC+2

Trump, Fed, $3,000 Gold? Markets React to Red Flags

Investors Worried About Trump Fed Independence US Assets Fall, Dollar Hits Three-Year Low Against Euro Safe-Haven Yen, Swiss Franc Rise Gold Hits New Record High South Korea Stock Market

Thomas Frank 10:18 2025-04-21 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for April 18

Donald Trump ratcheted up his criticism against Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, once again calling for an immediate interest rate cut. This renewed political pressure adds to the tensions surrounding

Ekaterina Kiseleva 12:09 2025-04-18 UTC+2

When Giants Fall: How Alphabet and UnitedHealth Decisions Hurt the Market

Trading on U.S. stock markets ended in disarray on Thursday, with positive news from tech giants and pharma companies colliding with interest rate concerns. Market participants wavered between hopes

Thomas Frank 11:56 2025-04-18 UTC+2

Powell in danger? Can Trump fire Fed Chair and what does that mean for markets?

Donald Trump has once again set his sights on the Federal Reserve, accusing its chairman Jerome Powell of failing in monetary policy and threatening to fire him. But what lies

Аlena Ivannitskaya 08:43 2025-04-18 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for April 17

Jerome Powell's latest remarks triggered a sharp sell-off in US equities. Both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq posted notable losses after the Fed chairman said that interest rates

Ekaterina Kiseleva 11:21 2025-04-17 UTC+2

When it all went wrong: Nvidia under pressure, stocks fall, Powell waits for clarity

Powell says economy slowing in Q1, may wait for more clarity European stocks slip ahead of ECB policy decision Nvidia warns of blame over US chip export restrictions to China

Thomas Frank 10:27 2025-04-17 UTC+2

US stock market in red zone: Dow Jones – 0.4%, Nasdaq – 0.1%. Upbeat corporate reports do not save Wall Street

The US stock market closed Tuesday with minor losses, as uncertainty over trade duties continued to weigh on investor sentiment. Consumer and healthcare stocks were particularly affected, though strong earnings

11:38 2025-04-16 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.