On Wednesday morning (17 December, 9:14 AM, GMT+7, Bangkok time), major indices in Asia Pacific showed a varied performance amid investor focus on Japan’s trade data.
Data published by Japan’s finance ministry on Wednesday showed that exports in November climbed 6.1% from a year earlier. This outcome exceeded the 4.8% increase forecast by economists surveyed by Reuters and marked an acceleration from the 3.6% growth recorded in October.
Japan’s NIKKEI rose by 0.32% to 49,542.36. South Korea’s KOSPI grew by 0.49% to 4,018.53, while Australia’s ASX 200 declined by 0.20% to 8,581.80.
As for stocks in China, Shenzhen’s SZI surged by 0.41% to 12,967.78. Hong Kong’s HSI climbed by 0.08% to 25,254.37, while Shanghai’s SSEC slid by 0.05% to 3,822.84.
The U.S. stock markets edged down on Tuesday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) fell by 0.62% to 48,114.26. S&P 500 decreased by 0.24% to 6,800.26, while NASDAQ gained 0.23% to 23,111.46. VIX dipped by 0.12% to 16.48.
As for commodities, oil prices settled lower on Tuesday as concerns about oversupply persisted and optimism grew over a potential peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, which could lead to an easing of sanctions. Brent crude contracts fell $1.64, or about 2.71%, to close at $58.92 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude finished at $55.27, down $1.55, or 2.73%.
Nevertheless, the prices increased on Wednesday morning following an order by U.S. President Donald Trump for a “total and complete” blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers moving into and out of Venezuela. Brent crude futures advanced 51 cents, or 0.87%, to $59.43 per barrel, and the WTI added 53 cents, or 0.96%, to $55.80 per barrel.
Meanwhile, gold futures expanded by 0.42% to $4,350.70 per Troy ounce.
