On Thursday morning (18 September, 9:13 AM, GMT+7, Bangkok time), major indices in Asia Pacific traded mixed following an expected rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve.
As the U.S. Fed reduced its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points—the first such move since December—amid heightened concerns over softening employment conditions. The central bank signaled its readiness for additional monetary easing, aiming to stave off further deterioration in a labor market marked by rising Black unemployment, shrinking workweeks, and other fragile indicators.
In Japan, the country’s central bank has begun its two-day policy meeting, and is anticipated to keep its benchmark interest rates unchanged.
Japan’s NIKKEI surged by 0.93% to 45,205.12. South Korea’s KOSPI rose by 0.88% to 3,443.47, while Australia’s ASX 200 dropped by 0.59% to 8,766.9.
As for stocks in China, Shanghai’s SSEC climbed by 0.03% to 3,877.42. Hong Kong’s HSI increased by 0.05% to 26,922.71, while Shenzhen’s SZI dipped by 0.27% to 13,179.39.
The U.S. stock markets were mixed on Wednesday as NASDAQ lost 0.33% to 22,261.32. S&P 500 fell by 0.1% to 6,600.35, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) expanded by 0.57% to 46,018.32. VIX slumped by 3.91% to 15.72.
As for commodities, oil prices settled lower on Wednesday following data indicating a rise in U.S. diesel inventories, which heightened concerns over demand, while the U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates as anticipated. Brent crude futures declined by 52 cents, or 0.76%, to settle at $67.95 a barrel, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures fell 47 cents, or 0.73%, closing at $64.05.
This morning, Brent futures declined 33 cents, or 0.49%, to $67.62 a barrel, and the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) contracted 35 cents, or 0.55%, to $63.7 per barrel.
Meanwhile, gold futures decreased 0.68% to $3,692.6 per Troy ounce.
