On Wednesday, the stock market saw an uptick as traders assessed the latest U.S. tariff actions and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s indication of a cautious stance on interest rate reductions. Investors were attentive ahead of an upcoming report on U.S. consumer prices, which is anticipated to influence monetary policy direction—particularly in light of President Donald Trump’s recent tariff measures and their possible inflationary consequences on the American economy.
In the Asia-Pacific region, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 increased by 0.34%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.16%. South Korea’s Kospi rose by 0.23%. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index saw a notable surge of 1.76%, and China’s Shanghai Composite gained 0.09%.
In contrast, the U.S. markets had a mixed close. The S&P 500 saw a minor rise of 0.03% to finish at 6,068.50. However, the Nasdaq Composite fell by 0.36% to settle at 19,643.86. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a gain of 123.24 points, or 0.28%, closing at 44,593.65.
On Tuesday, Jerome Powell reiterated the Federal Reserve’s determination to manage inflation but cautioned against any hasty moves towards cutting interest rates, underscoring the careful approach being taken amidst economic uncertainties.
