empty
19.02.2021 02:10 PM
Asian stocks edge lower

This image is no longer relevant

Stock markets across the Asia-Pacific region edged lower this morning. Major stock indices began a downward trend, but some indicators managed to advance. The downside momentum can be attributed to negative dynamics in the equity markets of the United States.

Japan's Nikkei 225 shed 0.72%. Notably, the index has been declining for the third trading session in a row.

Japanese investors are assessing statistics on the country's economy. As it became known, Japan's core consumer prices fell by 0.6% in January from a year earlier. However, in the previous month, a drop in consumer prices was even greater. The country's CPI dipped by 1.2% in December. At the same time, most experts predicted a 1% reduction in January.

Another key indicator that is of great importance for the country's main regulator - the level of consumer prices excluding fresh food - also decreased by 0.6%, surging from a 1% drop in December. In this case, the result almost matched its initial forecast of a 0.7% reduction.

Japan's services PMI index also dipped in February, marking its lowest level in the last six months. The indicator fell to 45.8 from January's final of 46.1. Moreover, this was the 13th straight month of contraction in the service sector.

However, there are some positive reports. Japan's factory activity, on the contrary, is gaining ground. The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index increased to 50.6 from its previous value of 49.8. Recall that a reading above 50 indicates an expansion of the manufacturing sector. Moreover, the industry has not seen such a high index for almost two years.

China's Shanghai Composite Index sank 0.57% today. The Hong Kong Hang Seng Index followed suit, losing 0.17%.

South Korea's KOSPI index was among the lucky ones which managed to edge higher. It increased by 0.68%.

The Australian S&P/ASX 200 index showed negative dynamics, shedding 1.34%. At the same time, statistics across the country are far from positive. In particular, retail sales declined by 0.6% in January, compared to a 4.1% drop in the previous month. However, analysts expected the indicator to contract by about 2%.

The Australian Services Purchasing Managers Index decreased to 54.1 in February. However, a reading above 50 points indicates that activity in this area is expanding. However, the previous reading was 55.8. This suggests that activity has still declined, and even considerably.

Maria Shablon,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

US Market News Digest for June 17

Tensions in the US stock market are rising as the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies. Analysts warn that a potential full-scale war could trigger a 20% drop

Ekaterina Kiseleva 13:25 2025-06-17 UTC+2

Bitcoin bulls and bears engaged in tug-of-war. BTC barely reacts to US inflation

Currently, the flagship cryptocurrency is aiming for new highs, but it is still facing obstacles along the way. The latest challenge comes from the ongoing battle between bulls and bears

Larisa Kolesnikova 16:51 2025-06-16 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for June 16

US equity indices ended Friday's session in the red as escalating tensions between Israel and Iran drove oil prices higher and fueled market uncertainty. The S&P 500 fell by 1.13%

Ekaterina Kiseleva 13:50 2025-06-16 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for June 13

Despite the ongoing S&P 500 rally, investors remain interested in stocks, largely ignoring the mounting risks and instability in the global economy. This confidence is fueled by expectations of further

Ekaterina Kiseleva 12:29 2025-06-13 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for June 12: US stock market closes lower in light of US-China trade deal

US stock markets ended the session lower after the US and China had nailed down the highly anticipated trade deal. Despite the positive news backdrop, investors began to lock

Ekaterina Kiseleva 16:31 2025-06-12 UTC+2

Robinhood drops from the S&P 500 — domino effect hits global markets

Robinhood shares fell after the trading platform was excluded from the S&P 500. Warner Bros. stock declined following the company's announcement of plans to restructure its business. European stocks slid

14:54 2025-06-11 UTC+2

Daily contrasts: Nikkei rises, EUR slips, global markets hold breath ahead of US-China talks

J.M. Smucker declines. The World Bank cuts its 2025 global growth forecast. Nikkei advances, while Wall Street futures and the euro weaken. The dollar shows little movement, and bond markets

14:31 2025-06-11 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for June 11

The US stock market has reached projected levels and now enters a "quiet scouting phase" as investors await the release of key inflation figures. The upcoming data

Ekaterina Kiseleva 13:57 2025-06-11 UTC+2

Contrasts of the day: Nikkei up, euro down, world holds breath ahead of US-China talks

J.M. Smucker falls after pessimistic forecast World Bank cuts global growth forecast for 2025 Nikkei up, Wall Street futures and euro fall Dollar little changed, bonds await CPI and auction

Thomas Frank 07:48 2025-06-11 UTC+2

Rates rise: markets Await CPI, Trump clashes with Musk, Qualcomm acquires Alphawave

The May CPI report is set for release on Wednesday. A budget bill takes center stage amid a public disagreement between Trump and Musk. Alphawave surged following news

14:05 2025-06-10 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.