On Friday (21 August, 9:11 AM, GMT+7, Bangkok time), major indices in the Asia Pacific traded mixed, with losses seen on Wall Street after U.S. Treasury yields with longer maturities resumed their upward trend. The renewed increase in yields weighed on sentiment in equity markets, highlighting ongoing concerns among investors over inflation and elevated government borrowing costs.
Recent government measures aimed at stabilizing U.S. Treasuries failed to restore confidence, with market participants remaining focused on the underlying drivers of surging yields, including persistent inflation and significant fiscal spending.
Analysts noted that market optimism following Wednesday’s government intervention was short-lived, as the actions did not address the primary causes behind the recent increases in yields.
Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran remain unresolved. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to intensifying economic measures against Iran, promising a coordinated campaign of economic isolation.
Japan’s NIKKEI dropped by 0.74% to 65,725.53. Australia’s ASX 200 slid by 0.16% to 9,069.60, while South Korea’s KOSPI rose by 0.59% to 6,893.19.
As for stocks in China, Shenzhen’s SZI grew by 0.30% to 14,015.31. Hong Kong’s HSI increased by 0.69% to 25,874.60, while Shanghai’s SSEC dipped by 0.03% to 3,902.37.
The U.S. stock markets edged up down Thursday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) lost 1.32% to 52,759.21. NASDAQ declined by 1.00% to 26,067.16, and S&P 500 fell by 0.87% to 7,641.16. VIX soared by 7.52% to 16.01.
As for commodities, oil prices settled higher on Thursday, following remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump indicating potential reprisals against countries backing Iran. Brent crude advanced by $2.16, closing at $93.78 per barrel, a 2.4% gain. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures for September delivery finished $2 higher at $87.83 per barrel, up 2.3% on the day.
This morning, Brent futures surged 3 cents, or 0.03%, to $93.81 per barrel, and the WTI futures decreased 3 cents, or 0.03%, to $86.80 per barrel.
Meanwhile, gold futures added 0.32% to $4,586.00 per Troy ounce.
