On Friday morning (25 April, 9:25 AM, GMT+7, Bangkok time), most indices in Asia Pacific increased following a three-day ascent on Wall Street fueled by a tech stock surge while investors analyzed the global trade environment amid a softened stance on tariffs by the U.S.
Japanese media outlet Kyodo News reported that Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba revealed a set of urgent economic initiatives aimed at offsetting the negative impact of President Donald Trump’s elevated tariffs. The plan encompasses strategies like aiding corporate financing and boosting domestic consumption. Additionally, the Japanese government also aims to lower fuel costs and enhance subsidies for energy expenses.
Tokyo’s core Consumer Price Index (CPI) surged by 3.4% in April compared to the previous year, exceeding Reuters’ projected 3.2% increase and outstripped the 2.4% recorded in March.
Meanwhile, markets in Australia are closed for a holiday.
Japan’s NIKKEI jumped by 1.43% to 35,538.56, and South Korea’s KOSPI surged by 0.66% to 2,539.
As for stocks in China, Shenzhen’s SZI rose by 0.43% to 9,920.61. Hong Kong’s HSI grew by 0.79% to 22,082.41, while Shanghai’s SSEC slid by 0.06% to 3,295.42.
Meanwhile, the US stock markets edged up on Thursday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) expanded by 1.23% to 40,093.4. NASDAQ soared by 2.74% to 17,166.04, and S&P 500 increased by 2.03% to 5,484.77. VIX plummeted by 6.96% to 26.47.
As for commodities, oil prices settled higher on Thursday as investors deliberated over a softened U.S. dollar, the possibility of an OPEC+ production boost, varied economic reports, contradictory U.S. tariff indications, and updates on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Brent futures added 43 cents or 0.7% to $66.55 a barrel, and the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 52 cents or 0.8% to $62.79 per barrel.
This morning, Brent futures climbed 11 cents or 0.17% to $66.66 a barrel, and the WTI escalated 8 cents or 0.13% to $62.87 per barrel.
Meanwhile, gold futures rose by 0.42% to $3,362.7 per Troy ounce.
