Asia markets kicked off the holiday-shortened week with a mixed performance as investors eagerly awaited policy decisions from key central banks. The Reserve Bank of Australia and the Reserve Bank of India were the focus of attention, with monetary policy announcements expected later in the week. Moreover, private surveys on service sector activity in China and Hong Kong were due to be released on Monday. Additionally, Singapore was set to reveal its retail sales figures for December, and Thailand’s inflation numbers for January were also on the agenda.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 started the day 1.05% lower, retreating from its all-time high reached on Friday. Meanwhile, Japan witnessed a positive performance, with the Nikkei 225 climbing by 0.66% and the broader Topix rising by 0.51%. South Korea’s Kospi, on the other hand, experienced a decline of 1.06%, and the small-cap Kosdaq fell by 0.8%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index also indicated a downward trend, with futures at 15,412 compared to the HSI’s previous close of 15,533.56.
The Lunar New Year is approaching, resulting in shortened trading weeks for various Asian countries, including China, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong. This festival brings about a festive atmosphere and significant disruptions to daily activities, including financial markets. Investors should anticipate reduced liquidity and volatility during this period.
In the United States, the S&P 500 achieved a fresh record high on Friday. This milestone was driven by better-than-expected quarterly results from technology companies, most notably Meta, the parent company of Facebook. The positive sentiment was further boosted by the impressive January jobs report, which surpassed expectations. Consequently, the S&P 500 added 1.1% to close at 4,958.61, surpassing its previous record close of 4,927.93 set just a few days earlier. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also closed at a new record high of 38,654.42, representing a 0.4% increase. Similarly, the Nasdaq Composite experienced a significant surge of 1.7%.
As Asia markets begin a holiday-shortened week, investors await important policy decisions from central banks. The outcomes of the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Reserve Bank of India’s meetings will likely influence market sentiment and direction. Additionally, private surveys on service sector activity and economic data releases from various Asian countries will provide further insights into the regional economy. Investors should proceed with caution during the upcoming Lunar New Year period, considering the potential disruptions and reduced trading volumes. Meanwhile, positive developments in the U.S. have set the stage for a strong start to the week, with record highs reached in key indices.