Global stock markets showed signs of renewed optimism on Wednesday as investors across Asia, Europe, and the Americas responded positively to easing trade tensions and the anticipation of key inflation data from the United States. The extension of the U.S.-China tariff truce for another 90 days has contributed to a more confident market sentiment, providing additional time for negotiations between the world’s two largest economies.
In Asia, the region’s markets largely advanced, led by Japan’s Nikkei 225, which surged about 2.77 percent to 42,979 points, reaching a record high amid optimism on trade negotiations and strong corporate earnings. This rally reflects investor optimism around the tariff truce extension and strong corporate earnings performance. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 also hit a historic peak and currently stands around 8,821 points, with minor fluctuations as investors await the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy decision.Â
China’s CSI 300 index remains flat
China’s CSI 300 index was relatively flat, hovering near 3,666 points.
Moreover, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index saw a slight decline, trading near 19,000 points with a minor drop of 0.1 percent reported earlier.
Singapore’s trade ministry upgraded its 2025 growth forecast to 1.5 percent to 2.5 percent, up from its previous projection of 0 percent to 2 percent, underscoring improved economic prospects in the region. The broader MSCI Asia-Pacific index edged slightly higher, while China’s CSI 300 index remained flat and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng experienced a minor decline of 0.1 percent in early trade.
In Europe, stock markets maintained a steady course with optimism fueled by the U.S.-China trade developments and expectations of supportive monetary policy.
Europe’s main indexes showed positive movement with the FTSE 100 at about 9,130, DAX at approximately 24,139, and CAC 40 around 7,699 points, reflecting steady investor confidence.
Read more | Stock market today: Asian shares rise as Nikkei futures trade near record high
Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq reflect caution
Across the Atlantic, U.S. markets closed slightly lower on Tuesday night as investors prepared for crucial inflation reports due later this week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 200 points (about 0.45 percent) to 34,975, the S&P 500 fell 0.25 percent to 6,373.45, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.3 percent to 21,385.40. Markets remain attentive to upcoming U.S. consumer price index (CPI) and producer price index (PPI) data, which are expected to heavily influence the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions in September. Economists caution that higher-than-expected inflation readings could delay anticipated rate cuts, contributing to some market uncertainty in the near term.
Investor sentiment globally has been buoyed in recent weeks by resilient U.S. corporate earnings and the prospect of interest rate cuts. However, caution is prevalent as markets digest the ongoing implications of tariff adjustments and their impact on inflation and growth. The extensions of the tariff pause have preserved stability for now, but economic data will be crucial in shaping the next phase of market trends.
