On Friday morning (23 January, 9:18 AM, GMT+7, Bangkok time), most major indices in the Asia Pacific mirrored positive momentum on Wall Street as tensions in global politics appeared to recede. The market’s attention shifted to the Bank of Japan’s upcoming policy meeting, with investors anticipating the central bank’s interest rate decision.
Economists surveyed by Reuters widely expect the Bank of Japan to maintain its benchmark rate at 0.75%. HSBC analysts projected that the central bank could implement its next 25-basis-point increase in July 2026. However, the bank cautioned that sustained weakness in the yen might prompt an earlier rate adjustment, possibly as soon as April.
In the United States, investors are awaiting PMI figures, looking for indications about the trajectory of the economy. Meanwhile, developments at the Federal Reserve remain in focus, as President Trump has announced that the nomination of a new Fed Chair to succeed Jerome Powell is forthcoming.
Japan’s NIKKEI rose by 0.27% to 53,831.89. South Korea’s KOSPI grew by 0.33% to 4,968.95, and Australia’s ASX 200 increased by 0.36% to 8,880.30.
As for stocks in China, Shanghai’s SSEC climbed by 0.31% to 4,135.20. Shenzhen’s SZI expanded by 0.49% to 14,396.88, and Hong Kong’s HSI added 0.69% to 26,813.32.
The U.S. stock markets edged up on Thursday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) gained 0.63% to 49,384.01. NASDAQ escalated by 0.91% to 23,436.02, and S&P 500 advanced by 0.55% to 6,913.35. VIX plummeted by 7.46% to 15.64.
As for commodities, oil prices settled lower on Thursday as investor sentiment shifted following remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump, expressing a more moderate stance regarding both Greenland and Iran, and as indications appeared of potential progress toward resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Brent crude ended the session down $1.18, or 1.8%, at $64.06 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude closed $1.26, or 2.1%, lower at $59.36 per barrel.
This morning, Brent crude futures rose 42 cents, or 0.66%, to $64.48 per barrel, and the WTI surged 42 cents, or 0.71%, to $59.78 per barrel.
Meanwhile, gold futures advanced by 0.83% to $4,954.00 per Troy ounce.
