Monday 10th March 2025: Asia-Pacific Markets Mixed as Global Trade Uncertainty Continues

Global Markets:

•  Asian Stock Markets : Nikkei up 0.55%, Shanghai Composite down 0.58%, Hang Seng down 2.26% ASX up 0.17%
• Commodities : Gold at $2914.35 (0.19%), Silver at $32.85 (0.08%), Brent Oil at $69.5 (-0.85%), WTI Oil at $66.58 (-0.94%)
• Rates : US 10-year yield at 4.283, UK 10-year yield at 4.6475, Germany 10-year yield at 2.8350

News & Data:

• (USD) Non-Farm Employment Change 151K  to 159K expected
• (USD) Unemployment Rate 4.1%  to 4.0% expected
• (CAD) Unemployment Rate 6.6% to 6.7% expected
• (CAD) Employment Change 1.1K  to 19.7K expected

Markets Update:

Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Monday after a volatile global trading week. U.S. stocks were expected to open lower, continuing their uncertain trend amid concerns over President Trump’s tariff policies and their impact on economic growth and inflation. Investors closely monitored steel manufacturers ahead of the 25% U.S. tariff on steel and aluminum imports set to begin Wednesday.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.24% despite choppy trading, while the broader Topix index fell 0.26%, reversing earlier gains. South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.47%, and the Kosdaq increased 0.53%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.24% after reaching a six-month high in its previous session. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped 2.11%, while China’s CSI 300 declined 0.83%. Over the weekend, China’s consumer inflation turned negative for the first time in 13 months, with the consumer price index falling 0.7% in February.

China also announced retaliatory tariffs on Canadian agricultural goods after Ottawa imposed import duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum last year. A 100% tariff was placed on Canadian rapeseed oil, oil cakes, and peas, while aquatic products and pork faced a 25% levy. In India, the Nifty 50 rose 0.32%, and the BSE Sensex climbed 0.43%.

In the U.S., major indexes closed higher on Friday despite market volatility. The S&P 500 gained 0.55%, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.7%. The Dow Jones added 222.64 points, or 0.52%, ending at 42,801.72. However, trade policy concerns made it the worst week in months for the markets.

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The post Monday 10th March 2025: Asia-Pacific Markets Mixed as Global Trade Uncertainty Continues first appeared on IC Markets | Official Blog.