Asian markets delivered a mixed performance as U.S. stocks hit record highs despite Donald Trump’s latest tariff-related comments, which caused only minor ripples on Wall Street.
Japan’s Nikkei index dropped nearly 1% to 38,081.10, weighed down by a strengthening yen, which rose against the U.S. dollar. The dollar fell to 152.31 yen from 153.08 yen, retreating further from its recent position above 155 yen. Analysts attributed the yen’s rally to investor caution over U.S. trade policy, positioning it as a safe-haven currency.
In South Korea, the Kospi slid 0.6% to 2,505.49, led by a 3.3% decline in Samsung Electronics after the company announced a leadership shakeup. Samsung appointed Young Hyun Jun, vice chairman and head of the Device Solutions division, as its new chief executive, aiming to bolster its competitiveness in the semiconductor market.
Chinese markets showed strength, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rising 0.5% to 19,259.77 and the Shanghai Composite adding 0.7% to 3,283.55, despite a reported 10% drop in industrial profits.
Elsewhere, Australia’s S&P/ASX gained 0.5% to 8,400.10, while India’s Sensex edged down 0.1%. Taiwan’s Taiex fell sharply by 1.4%, and Bangkok’s SET index shed 0.6%.
The contrast in Asian equities follows a positive session on Wall Street, where the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.3% to 44,860.31, the S&P 500 climbed 0.6% to 6,021.63, and the Nasdaq Composite also increased 0.6% to 19,174.30.
In the bond market, yields on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes edged higher, reaching 4.293% compared to 4.263% on Monday.
