Global Markets:
- Asian Stock Markets : Nikkei down 0.46%, Shanghai Composite up 0.31%, Hang Seng up 0.14% ASX down 0.20%
- Commodities : Gold at $2742.35 (-0.26%), Silver at $31.5 (-0.68%), Brent Oil at $81.69 (0.69%), WTI Oil at $78.4 (0.53%)
- Rates : US 10-year yield at 4.609, UK 10-year yield at 4.6805, Germany 10-year yield at 2.520
News & Data:
- (USD) Core Retail Sales m/m 0.4% vs 0.5% expected
- (USD) Retail Sales m/m 0.4% vs 0.6% expected
- (USD) Unemployment Claims 217K vs 210K expected
Markets Update:
Asian markets had a mixed session on Friday as investors analyzed key economic data from China. The country’s economy grew 5% in 2024, with a stronger-than-expected 5.4% expansion in the fourth quarter. Retail sales in December increased 3.7% year-on-year, exceeding forecasts of 3.5%, while industrial output rose 6.2%, beating expectations of 5.4%.
Stock markets in the region showed varied movements. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index gained 0.23%, and China’s CSI 300 rose 0.63%. Meanwhile, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.54%, and the Topix lost 0.46%. South Korea’s Kospi declined 0.26%, with the Kosdaq slipping 0.18%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 also edged down 0.2% to close at 8,310.4. The offshore yuan strengthened slightly, rising 0.06% to 7.3419 per U.S. dollar.
In the U.S., markets lost momentum after earlier gains, with major indices pulling back. The S&P 500 declined 0.21% to 5,937.34, ending a three-day winning streak. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.89% to 19,338.29, pressured by a selloff in tech stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 68.42 points, or 0.16%, closing at 43,153.13.
Global investors are closely watching China’s economic performance, as its resilience could influence broader market trends. While the latest data indicates steady growth, uncertainties remain regarding future economic policies and global demand.
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