Asian markets traded cautiously as investors awaited third-quarter earnings results from Nvidia, a leading player in artificial intelligence.
The company, valued at $3.6 trillion, will report its results after the market close. Nvidia shares rose 4.9% on Tuesday, with options pricing suggesting a potential 9% swing in either direction, underscoring its role as a key indicator of the tech sector’s pivot to AI.
The MSCI Asia-Pacific index (excluding Japan) dipped 0.1%, while Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.2%. In contrast, Chinese markets outperformed, with mainland blue-chip stocks rising 0.4% and the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong edging up 0.1%, as the People’s Bank of China left benchmark lending rates unchanged, in line with expectations.
Bitcoin remained above $92,000 after briefly surpassing $94,000 overnight, fueled by optimism about a potential crypto-friendly stance from Donald Trump’s administration. Investors are also closely monitoring his expected announcement of a Treasury Secretary pick, which could come as early as today.
On Wall Street, the S&P 500 gained 0.4% to close at 5,916.98, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.3% to 43,268.94, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1% to 18,987.47.
In the bond market, U.S. 10-year Treasury yields declined slightly, falling to 4.402% from Monday’s close of 4.409%.
