Currency traders at the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul closely monitor market movements on Monday, February 17, 2025. Screens display South Korea’s main stock index, the KOSPI, alongside the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the South Korean won. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Global stock markets showed a mixed performance on Monday as investors closely monitored economic updates and U.S. policy decisions that could influence central bank actions.
European Markets See Modest Moves
France’s CAC 40 dipped slightly by 0.1% to 8,171.59, while Germany’s DAX rose 0.4% to 22,560.00. Britain’s FTSE 100 edged up by 0.1% to 8,742.97, reflecting cautious trading sentiment.
U.S. Markets Pause for a Holiday
American stock markets remained closed for a public holiday, leaving investors to focus on overseas developments.
Japan's Growth Beats Expectations
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index fluctuated in early trading before closing just 0.1% higher at 39,174.25. The country's economy expanded at an annualized rate of 2.8% for October-December, exceeding forecasts. Quarterly, Japan posted a 0.7% increase in GDP, marking three consecutive quarters of growth. Over the full year, Japan’s economy expanded by 0.1%, driven by steady exports and moderate consumer spending.
Mixed Performance Across Asia
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dipped by 0.2% to 8,537.10, while South Korea’s Kospi saw a strong 0.8% gain, closing at 2,610.42. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index initially climbed but later dropped slightly by 0.1% to 22,616.23. Meanwhile, China’s Shanghai Composite gained 0.3%, settling at 3,355.83.
Trade Tensions in Focus
Markets remain cautious about the potential economic impacts of tariffs announced by former U.S. President Donald Trump. However, analysts believe a full-scale global trade war may be avoided, as recent tariffs are not set to take effect for several weeks, allowing time for negotiations.
Central Banks Eye Inflation
Both the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan continue to target a 2% inflation rate, which remains a key factor in monetary policy decisions.
Oil and Currency Markets Update
Crude oil prices edged higher, with U.S. benchmark crude rising 28 cents to $71.02 per barrel, while Brent Crude climbed 34 cents to $75.08 per barrel. In currency markets, the U.S. dollar weakened against the Japanese yen, slipping to 151.90 from 152.25. The euro also declined to $1.0472 from $1.0495.
