Asian-Pacific markets experienced mostly positive movements on Thursday. Australia’s stocks hovered near two-year highs, as the S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.33%. This places it at its highest level since late April 2022, and it is set to end the year with a significant increase of 7.7%. The positive momentum in the Australian market indicates growing investor confidence in the country’s economy.
In contrast to Australia, Japan’s stock market experienced a slight dip in performance. The Nikkei 225 fell 0.49% after rallying more than 1% in the previous session. The broader Topix index also decreased by 0.25%, signaling a cooling off after four consecutive sessions of gains. Despite this temporary setback, retail sales data from Japan revealed a 5.3% growth in November, surpassing expectations set by a Reuters poll. This suggests that the Japanese economy still has the potential for growth.
China’s stock market saw a second consecutive day of gains, with the CSI 300 index opening 0.32% higher. China’s online gaming stocks experienced a rebound, which boosted overall market performance. This upward trend indicates a recovery in the Chinese market, following recent challenges and regulatory concerns. However, it is important to note that Hong Kong remains the poorest performing large Asia-Pacific market in 2023, with a decline of approximately 16%.
South Korea’s Kospi index increased by 0.49%, maintaining gains from the previous session. Additionally, the small-cap Kosdaq turned positive after the second hour of trading, rising by 0.19%. The steady performance in the Korean market suggests market stability and positive investor sentiment.
Overnight, the US stock market closed higher, contributing to the positive sentiment observed in Asian markets. The S&P 500 inched up 0.14%, while the Nasdaq Composite added 0.16%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.3%, ending the session at 37,656.52 points, marking a fresh closing high. The S&P 500 is now less than 0.5% away from its record closing level of 4,796.56, achieved in January 2022. The market’s strong performance in the US has had a positive impact on Asian markets, contributing to their overall rise.
Asian markets have generally exhibited positive movements, with Australia’s stocks reaching new heights and China’s market rebounding. Conversely, Japan experienced a slight decrease in performance, while Hong Kong remains the worst-performing large Asia-Pacific market this year. The influence of the US market has also played a role in the positive sentiment observed in Asian markets. Overall, the outlook for Asian markets remains promising, with investors keeping a close eye on key economic indicators and global market trends.