Cityscape and Tokyo Tower at sunset, Tokyo, Japan.
© Marco Bottigelli | Moment | Getty Images
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Wednesday as traders parse a slew of key economic data in the region.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 0.14% while the Topix added 0.5%. South Korea’s Kospi slipped 0.2% and the Kosdaq dipped 0.25%.
Australia’s benchmark S&P/ASX 200 traded flat. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index slid 0.53% while China’s CSI 300 traded flat after China’s manufacturing activity fell more-than-expected into contractionary territory in April.
The Bank of Japan kickstarts its policy meeting on Wednesday, and is widely expected to hold rates at 0.5% when the meeting concludes on Thursday.
Investors will also be waiting on a slew of key economic data in the region. Australia’s first quarter inflation rose 2.4% compared to the same period last year, higher than the Reuters expectations of a 2.3% climb.
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that tariff negotiations with India are “coming along great,” and he believes the U.S. will strike a trade deal with the South Asian nation.
Speaking at a White House press briefing, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration also held “substantial talks” with Japan over a possible trade deal, and that “the contours of a deal” with South Korea could be coming together.
Stock futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average were little changed Tuesday night after the blue-chip index posted its longest winning run since July. Futures tied to the 30-stock Dow fell 6 points, or 0.01%. S&P 500 futures slipped 0.2%, while Nasdaq 100 futures lost 0.4%.
Overnight stateside, the three major averages closed higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose on Tuesday, hitting its highs of the day.
The Dow climbed 300.03 points, or 0.75%, to close at 40,527.62. The S&P 500 gained 0.58%, ending at 5,560.83. Both indexes posted a sixth straight positive day, marking the longest win streak since July for the Dow and since November for the S&P 500. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.55%, settling at 17,461.32.
— CNBC’s Sean Conlon, Alex Harring and Erin Doherty contributed to this report.