Monday 17th March 2025: Asia-Pacific Markets Climb as China Unveils Economic Boost Plan

Global Markets:

•  Asian Stock Markets : Nikkei up 1.25%, Shanghai Composite up 0.16%, Hang Seng up 1.08% ASX up 0.83%
• Commodities : Gold at $2992.35 (0.20%), Silver at $34.25 (-0.68%), Brent Oil at $71.15 (0.65%), WTI Oil at $67.41 (0.74%)
• Rates : US 10-year yield at 4.309, UK 10-year yield at 4.6700, Germany 10-year yield at 2.8730

News & Data:

• (USD) Prelim UoM Consumer Sentiment 57.9  to 63.1 expected
• (USD) Prelim UoM Inflation Expectations 4.9%  to 4.3% expected

Markets Update:

Asia-Pacific markets mostly climbed on Monday as investors closely monitored Chinese equities. Mainland China’s CSI 300 slipped 0.11% in volatile trade, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index jumped 1.32%. On Sunday, China’s government introduced a “Special Action Plan to Boost Consumption,” aiming to increase incomes and revive spending. Other initiatives include stabilizing the stock and real estate markets and encouraging a higher birth rate.

China’s retail sales grew 4.0% year-on-year for January-February, aligning with Reuters estimates and exceeding December’s 3.7% growth. Urban investment also surpassed expectations, rising 4.1% compared to a projected 3.6%. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 1.34%, while the Topix index rose 1.46%. South Korea’s Kospi index advanced 1.70%, and the Kosdaq added 0.52%. India’s Nifty 50 opened 0.71% higher, with the BSE Sensex up 0.47%. Meanwhile, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.67% in late trade.

U.S. futures slipped Sunday after markets closed lower last week, weighed by renewed tariff threats from Trump. However, Wall Street saw a strong rebound Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 674.62 points (1.65%) to 41,488.19. The S&P 500 jumped 2.13% to 5,638.94, and the Nasdaq Composite soared 2.61% to 17,754.09, marking their best trading day of 2025.

Big tech stocks recovered sharply. Nvidia surged over 5%, Tesla rose nearly 4%, and Meta gained close to 3%. Amazon and Apple also advanced, signaling renewed investor confidence in the sector.

Upcoming Events: 

• 12:30 PM GMT – USD Core Retail Sales m/m
• 12:30 PM GMT – USD Retail Sales m/m

The post Monday 17th March 2025: Asia-Pacific Markets Climb as China Unveils Economic Boost Plan first appeared on IC Markets | Official Blog.