Asian Stock Market: Trades mixed as yields rebound, New Zealand leads bears on RBNZ


  • Asian equities struggle between gains and losses with Taiwan and New Zealand occupying the extreme ends.
  • Shares in New Zealand slump after RBNZ’s rate hikes, Taiwan stays hopeful of the US help against China.
  • Snap drowned Nasdaq but Dow Jones bucked the trend, S&P 500 Futures print mild gains.
  • FOMC Minutes, US Durable Goods Orders eyed for fresh impulse.

Markets in the Asia-Pacific bloc tracked Wall Street’s pattern during early Wednesday as lackluster yields and mildly bid stock futures await the key data/events from the US. While portraying the mood, the MSCI’s index of the Asia-Pacific shares ex-Japan rises half a percent but Japan’s Nikkei 225 struggles for clear directions.

New Zealand’s NZX 50 was a big loser, with around a 1.0% daily fall, as the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) announced 50 basis points (bps) rate hike. On the contrary, shares in Taiwan gained the most, up nearly 1.05% at the latest, as the US readiness to help the Asian nation counter China’s pressure renewed investor optimism despite Beijing's readiness for a military drill near Taiwan.

Elsewhere, Australia’s ASX 200 adds 0.70% even as RBA Assistant Governor (Economic) Luci Ellis signaled more rate hikes. Furthermore, Japan’s government maintains its economic assessment in May but fears of growth and North Korea’s missile launches seem to have weighed on the Nikkei 225.

It’s worth noting that covid fears and the resulted economic pessimism for China challenge stocks in Beijing whereas India’s BSE Sensex remains directionless during the first negative year in six.

On a broader front, the US 10-year Treasury yields bounce off the monthly low while rising 0.8 basis points (bps) to 2.767% whereas the S&P 500 Futures add 0.60% on a day by the press time. On Tuesday, Wall Street closed mixed as downbeat US housing data and fears of Snap’s losses drowned Nasdaq.

Looking forward, the US Durable Goods Orders for April, expected 0.6% versus 1.1% prior, as well as the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Minutes, will join the speech from ECB President Christine Lagarde to direct immediate moves.

Share: Feed news

Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

Recommended content


Recommended content

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD stays near 1.0400 in thin holiday trading

EUR/USD stays near 1.0400 in thin holiday trading

EUR/USD trades with mild losses near 1.0400 on Tuesday. The expectation that the US Federal Reserve will deliver fewer rate cuts in 2025 provides some support for the US Dollar. Trading volumes are likely to remain low heading into the Christmas break.

EUR/USD News
GBP/USD struggles to find direction, holds steady near 1.2550

GBP/USD struggles to find direction, holds steady near 1.2550

GBP/USD consolidates in a range at around 1.2550 on Tuesday after closing in negative territory on Monday. The US Dollar preserves its strength and makes it difficult for the pair to gain traction as trading conditions thin out on Christmas Eve.

GBP/USD News
Gold holds above $2,600, bulls non-committed on hawkish Fed outlook

Gold holds above $2,600, bulls non-committed on hawkish Fed outlook

Gold trades in a narrow channel above $2,600 on Tuesday, albeit lacking strong follow-through buying. Geopolitical tensions and trade war fears lend support to the safe-haven XAU/USD, while the Fed’s hawkish shift acts as a tailwind for the USD and caps the precious metal.

Gold News
IRS says crypto staking should be taxed in response to lawsuit

IRS says crypto staking should be taxed in response to lawsuit

In a filing on Monday, the US International Revenue Service stated that the rewards gotten from staking cryptocurrencies should be taxed, responding to a lawsuit from couple Joshua and Jessica Jarrett.

Read more
2025 outlook: What is next for developed economies and currencies?

2025 outlook: What is next for developed economies and currencies?

As the door closes in 2024, and while the year feels like it has passed in the blink of an eye, a lot has happened. If I had to summarise it all in four words, it would be: ‘a year of surprises’.

Read more
Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads

Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads

VERIFIED Low spreads are crucial for reducing trading costs. Explore top Forex brokers offering competitive spreads and high leverage. Compare options for EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and Gold.

Read More

Forex MAJORS

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures