On Thursday morning (22 August, 9:44 AM, GMT+7, Bangkok time), indices in Asia Pacific traded mixed with investors analyzing preliminary business activity reports from Australia, Japan, and India.
In August, Japan experienced a quicker expansion in business activity, as indicated by the composite purchasing managers index rising to 53.0 from July’s 52.5.
The Bank of Korea maintained its benchmark interest rate at 3.5% as anticipated; however, traders will closely scrutinize the central bank’s press release later for clues on possible upcoming policy adjustments.
Moreover, following the recent release of minutes from the Federal Reserve’s July meeting, some members advocated for a rate cut in July rather than waiting until September. Nonetheless, the majority of participants agreed that if economic data remained on track, a rate cut would be suitable at the upcoming meeting.
Japan’s NIKKEI rose by 0.69% to 38,212.56. Australia’s ASX 200 grew by 0.17% to 8,024.4, while South Korea’s KOSPI slid by 0.19% to 2,695.93.
As for stocks in China, Shanghai’s SSEC declined 0.22% to 2,850.25. Shenzhen’s SZI dropped by 0.71% to 8,171.6, while Hong Kong’s HSI climbed by 0.16% to 17,419.01.
Meanwhile, the US stock markets edged up on Wednesday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) increased by 0.14% to 40,890.49. NASDAQ gained 0.57% to 17,918.99, and S&P 500 surged by 0.42% to 5,620.85. VIX jumped by 2.46% to 16.27.
As for commodities, oil prices settled lower on Wednesday following a significant downward revision of key employment figures by the U.S. government, which offset price support from a drop in U.S. oil inventories. Brent futures decreased $1.15 or 1.49% to settle at $76.05 a barrel, and the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) slid $1.24 or 1.69% to settle at $71.93 per barrel.
This morning, Brent futures lost 19 cents or 0.25% to $75.86 a barrel, and the WTI dipped 28 cents or 0.39% to $71.65 per barrel.
Meanwhile, gold futures fell by 0.26% to $2,540.8 per Troy ounce.
