Asian Stocks Rise Driven by the Technology Sector
Asian stocks saw a significant rise today, driven by gains in the technology sector, with Nvidia shares jumping 8.2%.
Markets are expecting a potential interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve,
while speculation grows over central bank moves and their impact on the global economy.
Topic
Currency and Commodity Movements
Strong Gains
On Thursday, Asian stocks made notable gains, led by a tech-driven rally that began on Wall Street and spread across the region. Stock indices in Japan and South Korea rose, as the yen weakened to its lowest level against the dollar since December. The MSCI Asia-Pacific Index reached its highest level in nearly a month, while the region’s tech index climbed more than 2%. Nvidia shares surged 8.2% in overnight trading, fueling the market rally, while Chinese stocks also saw gains in early trading.
Market Expectations
Markets currently expect the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates by 25 basis points during its meeting next week, with the possibility of a larger 50 basis point cut. As the central bank begins lowering borrowing costs, attention will shift to the pace of future monetary easing. Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury yields remained stable, with the 10-year yield at 3.67%, while yields in Australia and New Zealand edged slightly higher.
U.S. Inflation and Its Impact
A report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Wednesday showed that the core Consumer Price Index (CPI), which excludes food and energy costs, rose 0.3% from the previous month, marking the highest increase in four months. This rise could influence the central bank’s decision on rate cuts. Seema Shah from Principal Asset Management commented that the report could be used by hawkish Federal Reserve members to advocate for a cautious approach to inflation.
Currency and Commodity Movements
The U.S. dollar index stabilized after falling the previous day, while oil continued to post gains, supported by the impact of Hurricane Francine, which hit key oil-producing regions in the Gulf of Mexico. This event caused some traders to halt bearish bets on oil, boosting price stability.
Yen Movements
The Japanese yen edged higher following remarks from Bank of Japan board member Naoki Tamura, who suggested raising the benchmark interest rate to at least 1% by the end of the forecast period. Meanwhile, economic data showed that Japan’s Producer Price Index rose less than expected in August. Investors are also watching for key economic data in Asia, including producer prices in Hong Kong, inflation and industrial output in India, and the interest rate decision in Pakistan.
Future Outlook
Investors are closely monitoring expected rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, which could signal a soft landing for the economy or potentially mark the start of a more severe downturn. With over 140 basis points of rate cuts anticipated by January, speculation continues about the Fed’s next steps and their impact on global markets.
Corporate News
In corporate developments, OpenAI is in talks to raise $6.5 billion in funding, which could push its valuation to $150 billion. Meanwhile, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang noted that limited product availability has frustrated some customers, creating tensions in the market.
Asian Stocks Rise Driven by the Technology Sector