Stock Market Update: Asian Shares Recover After Trump’s Victory, Focus Shifts to Fed Decision
Asian stock markets showed signs of recovery on Thursday, bouncing back from early losses as U.S. stocks hit record highs following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election. Investors are now turning their attention to the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision, set to be announced later in the day.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index fell 0.4%, settling at 39,339.74, amid concerns over potential trade tensions under a Trump administration. Neil Newman, head of strategy for Astris Advisory Japan, pointed out that Trump’s tariff policies could lead to uncertainties.
Meanwhile, in Seoul, South Korea’s Kospi index rebounded by 0.5%, closing at 2,576.30. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 also gained 0.1%, reaching 8,204.80.
Chinese markets saw notable gains. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose by 0.9% to 20,729.01, and the Shanghai Composite increased by 0.9%, reaching 3,413.47. A key factor behind the Chinese market’s strength was a report showing a 13% year-over-year increase in exports for October, marking the fastest growth in over two years.
Trump has pledged to implement tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese imports, a move that could further strain the Chinese economy, which is already grappling with slowing growth. This uncertainty about higher tariffs and Trump’s tax and regulation policies is influencing market sentiment.
Zichun Huang of Capital Economics suggested that while the impact of tariffs may not be immediate, there is still a risk of escalating trade tensions. However, he added that Chinese shipments might remain strong in the short term, despite any potential drag from Trump’s policies.
In the U.S., stocks surged on Wednesday. The S&P 500 soared 2.5% to 5,929.04, marking its best day in nearly two years. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 3.6% to 43,729.93, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 3%, reaching 18,983.47. All three indices hit fresh record highs.
The long-term effects of Trump’s second term on the U.S. economy will depend largely on whether Republicans gain control of Congress, a development that is still uncertain. Investors are betting that Trump’s policies could stimulate economic growth, which could result in higher bond yields. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond rose to 4.43%, up from 4.29% the previous day.
Trump’s pro-business policies, including tax cuts and deregulation, could lead to faster economic growth, but they might also contribute to higher inflation and costs for U.S. households. Trade tensions and restrictions on immigration could add to inflationary pressures, as businesses may raise wages to address labor shortages.
Wall Street’s recent rally has been fueled by expectations of interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, as inflation has moderated. However, with the economy showing signs of strength, traders are now revising their expectations for how many rate cuts the Fed will make next year.
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to announce an interest rate cut on Thursday, although traders have begun adjusting their expectations for the number of cuts throughout 2024.
In other markets, the U.S. dollar weakened slightly against the Japanese yen, falling to 154.46 from 154.62. The euro rose to $1.0740 from $1.0730.
Crude oil prices were up, with U.S. benchmark crude increasing by 45 cents to $72.14 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, was up 55 cents, reaching $75.47.
Bitcoin saw a slight decline, dropping to $75,780 after hitting an all-time high above $76,480 on Wednesday. Trump has expressed plans to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the planet,” promising to create a “strategic reserve” of bitcoin.
As markets adjust to Trump’s victory and look ahead to the Fed’s decision, the path forward remains uncertain, with many factors—domestic and international—set to influence global economies in the months to come.
- Asian shares regained momentum on Thursday after early losses, as investors focused on how Donald Trump’s victory might influence the economy and global markets. Attention is also turning to the Federal Reserve’s upcoming decision on interest rates.
- Stocks in Asia bounced back following a strong performance in U.S. markets, driven by optimism around Trump’s return to office. As global investors assess Trump’s economic policies, all eyes are also on the Federal Reserve’s interest rate announcement.
- After early market dips, Asian shares recovered as Trump’s win spurred hopes of stronger economic growth. Investors are now looking ahead to the Fed’s rate decision, with expectations that it could influence market trends.
- Stocks in Asia saw a boost after Trump’s victory, with optimism around his economic policies and potential tariffs. As investors digest these factors, the Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates remains a key focus for markets.
- In the wake of Trump’s win, Asian markets rallied as investors placed their bets on how his presidency might impact the global economy. Now, market attention shifts to the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision later in the day.
