Aussie and Japan Stocks Surge While Korean Markets Open Lower Amid Global Trends

"Aussie and Japan Stocks Rise; Korean Markets Open Lower"

Asian markets mostly rose, with Japan's Nikkei up 0.24%. U.S. stocks gained, despite tariff announcements by President Trump impacting late-session gains.

Rachel Patel2 hours agoLast Update : 2 hours ago

Aussie and Japan stocks rise, Korean stocks open lower

www.cnbc.com

On January 31, 2025, Asian markets experienced mixed results as Japan’s stocks rose following positive earnings reports from Big Tech in the U.S. The Nikkei 225 index increased by 0.24%, while the broader Topix index saw a rise of 0.21%. In contrast, South Korean markets opened lower after a four-day break, with the Kospi falling by 1.14%.

6 Key Takeaways

Ameyoko shopping street is busy in Tokyo.
Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 0.24%.
Tokyo consumer price index increased to 2.5%.
South Korean markets opened lower post-holiday.
Australian S&P/ASX 200 reached all-time high.
U.S. major indexes rose before tariff announcement.

Fast Answer: Asian markets showed mixed performance on January 31, 2025, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 rising 0.24% and South Korea’s Kospi dropping 1.14%. Japan’s consumer price index rose 2.5% year-on-year, while retail sales climbed 3.7% in December.

Japan’s economic indicators released on Friday reflected a stable outlook. The consumer price index, excluding fresh food, rose to 2.5% in January, slightly up from 2.4% in December. This aligns with Reuters’ estimates, indicating consistent inflationary pressures. Additionally, Japan’s unemployment rate fell to 2.4% in December, lower than the previous month’s 2.5%, although it missed the expected figure of 2.5% by analysts.

Retail sales in Japan for December showed a significant increase of 3.7% compared to the previous year, suggesting strong consumer spending. Meanwhile, industrial output rebounded with a growth of 0.3% month-on-month, recovering from a 2.2% decline in November. These figures highlight a resilient economic environment in Japan.

In South Korea, the Kospi index opened lower, dropping 1.14%, while the small-cap Kosdaq fell by 0.36%. This decline came after a four-day market closure. Conversely, Australian markets continued their upward trend, with the S&P/ASX 200 closing at an all-time high of 8,532.30, marking a 0.45% increase. Indian stocks also opened higher in anticipation of the Union Budget, with the benchmark Nifty 50 gaining 0.71%.

Overall, the mixed performance across Asian markets reflects varying economic conditions and investor sentiment following developments in the U.S. stock market. Japan’s positive economic indicators contrast with the downturn in South Korea, while Australia and India show signs of growth.

Notice: Canadian investors should note the potential impact of U.S. tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, as announced by President Trump, which may influence market dynamics in North America.

The Asian markets on January 31, 2025, displayed a blend of positive and negative Trends, with Japan leading gains while South Korea faced declines. This reflects the ongoing complexities in the global economic landscape, influenced by recent U.S. market performance and domestic economic indicators.