On Wednesday morning (28 January, 9:30 AM, GMT+7, Bangkok time), major indices in the Asia Pacific traded mixed, diverging from the new S&P 500 peak reached in the U.S. Investors remain attentive to signs from central banks and key economic data as regional inflation readings and Federal Reserve policy are in focus.
Australia’s consumer price index increased by 3.6% in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking the fastest pace in a year and a half. This outcome supports recent indications from policymakers that prospects for rate reductions in 2026 may be modest. The figure matched economists’ forecasts and represented an uptick from the 3.2% annual rate reported in the previous quarter.
On the U.S. front, the Federal Reserve is expected to leave its policy rate unchanged at 3.5% to 3.75%. Market participants are closely watching for any indication of future policy direction, particularly with robust economic growth continuing. Chris Brigati at SWBC indicated that Fed communications will probably underline flexibility and reliance on incoming economic data for future decisions while also noting that this week’s earnings from major technology firms are anticipated to be generally favorable in tone.
Japan’s NIKKEI decreased by 0.49% to 53,072.48. Australia’s ASX 200 slid by 0.27% to 8,917.30, while South Korea’s KOSPI advanced by 1.76% to 5,174.55.
As for stocks in China, Shanghai’s SSEC rose by 0.31% to 4,152.80. Hong Kong’s HSI grew by 0.98% to 27,392.31, while Shenzhen’s SZI dipped by 0.23% to 14,296.75.
The U.S. stock markets edged up on Tuesday as NASDAQ expanded by 0.91% to 23,817.09. S&P 500 increased by 0.41% to 6,978.60, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) lost 0.83% to 49,003.41. VIX jumped by 1.24% to 16.35.
As for commodities, oil prices settled higher on Tuesday as severe winter weather disrupted production operations and halted crude exports from the U.S. Gulf Coast during the weekend. Brent crude rose $1.98, closing at $67.57 per barrel with a gain of 3.02%. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude advanced by $1.76, settling at $62.39 per barrel, up 2.9%.
This morning, Brent crude futures gained 9 cents, or 0.13%, to $67.66 per barrel, and the WTI surged 19 cents, or 0.30%, to $62.58 per barrel.
Meanwhile, gold futures soared by 2.44% to $5,206.70 per Troy ounce.
