On Wednesday morning (19 February, 9:27 AM, GMT+7, Bangkok time), major indices in Asia Pacific traded mixed with investors analyzing a slew of economic data in the region, including business sentiment and trade data from Japan and New Zealand’s interest rate decision.
Japanese manufacturers’ sentiment increased in February, hitting its highest level since November at plus 3, up from plus 2 in January. Moreover, the nation also reported its largest trade deficit in two years at 2.76 trillion yen in January, exceeding estimates by Reuters of 2.1 trillion yen and reversing a prior month surplus of 132 billion yen.
In New Zealand, the country’s central bank reduced benchmark rates by 50 basis points to 3.75% on Wednesday, marking the fourth consecutive cut. The move comes as easing inflation provides the RBNZ with the opportunity to stimulate a struggling economy.
Japan’s NIKKEI decreased by 0.26% to 39,169.67. Australia’s ASX 200 dropped by 0.58% to 8,431.9, while South Korea’s KOSPI jumped by 1.78% to 2,673.69.
As for stocks in China, Shanghai’s SSEC rose by 0.57% to 3,343.47. Shenzhen’s SZI grew by 0.87% to 10,709.5, while Hong Kong’s HSI declined by 0.32% to 22,902.28.
Meanwhile, the US stock markets edged up on Tuesday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) climbed by 0.02% to 44,556.34. NASDAQ gained 0.07% to 20,041.26, and S&P 500 surged by 0.24% to 6,129.58. VIX slid by 0.13% to 15.35.
As for commodities, oil prices settled higher on Tuesday following a drone attack on a Russian pipeline pumping station, which curtailed flows from Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, the anticipation of increased supply limited further price hikes. Brent futures for April escalated 62 cents or 0.82% to $75.84 a barrel, and the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) added $1.11 or 1.57% to $71.85 per barrel.
This morning, Brent futures edged up 18 cents or 0.24% to $76.02 a barrel, and the WTI expanded 21 cents or 0.29% to $72.06 per barrel.
Meanwhile, gold futures increased 0.27% to $2,957 per Troy ounce.
