On Thursday morning (4 September, 9:34 AM, GMT+7, Bangkok time), indices in Asia Pacific traded mixed, while gains in U.S. technology shares propelled two major indices on Wall Street, including the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite. This came amid persistent concerns over the global economic outlook, which continue to cast a shadow on investor sentiment.
Bond markets remained under scrutiny, as long-term yields faced sustained upward pressure worldwide. In the U.S., the 30-year Treasury yield briefly surpassed 5% on Wednesday—a level last seen in July—following a court decision that deemed most tariffs imposed during the Trump administration unlawful. The ruling has sparked debate over the future of tariff collections and their economic impact.
Across the region, Japan witnessed its own bond market turbulence, with its 30-year government bond yield reaching a record high. The sharp increase of 100 basis points since the start of the year reflects mounting inflationary pressures, low real interest rates, and heightened political uncertainty.
Meanwhile, investors are awaiting the release of Australia’s July household spending figures, which are expected to offer further insights into the country’s economic health.
Japan’s NIKKEI jumped by 1.23% to 42,453.69. South Korea’s KOSPI rose by 0.48% to 3,199.79, while Australia’s ASX 200 grew by 0.9% to 8,817.4.
As for stocks in China, Shanghai’s SSEC dropped by 1.01% to 3,775.03. Hong Kong’s HSI declined by 0.44% to 25,231.37, and Shenzhen’s SZI contracted by 1% to 12,347.67.
The U.S. stock markets edged up on Wednesday as NASDAQ gained 1.03% to 21,497.72. S&P 500 increased by 0.51% to 6,448.26, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) slid by 0.05% to 45,271.23. VIX slumped by 4.78% to 16.35.
As for commodities, oil prices settled lower on Wednesday, sliding over 2% as traders assessed the likelihood of OPEC+ adjusting production targets at an upcoming meeting this weekend. Brent crude concluded the session down $1.54, or 2.23%, at $67.60 per barrel. The U.S. West Texas Intermediate retreated $1.62, or 2.47%, to finish at $63.97 per barrel.
This morning, Brent futures fell 39 cents or 0.58% to $67.21 a barrel, and the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) decreased 41 cents or 0.64% to $63.56 per barrel.
Meanwhile, gold futures shrank by 0.9% to $3,602.8 per Troy ounce.
