Asian stock markets are seeing mixed trading on Monday, following broadly positive cues from Wall Street on Friday.
Investors are weighing uncertainty over US trade policy, as President Donald Trump signaled some flexibility regarding upcoming reciprocal tariffs set to take effect on April 2, while also warning that exemptions for one country could set a precedent for others.
“April 2nd is going to be liberation day for America,” Trump said on Friday. “We’ve been ripped off by every country in the world, friend and foe.”
Japan’s Nikkei trades flat
The Japanese stock market is relatively flat in choppy trading after losses over the past three sessions.
The Nikkei 225 index remains below the 37,700 level, with gains in index heavyweights being offset by weakness in exporters and financial stocks.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index was at 37,676.97, down 0.0002%, after hitting a high of 37,841.68 earlier.
SoftBank Group is up nearly 3%, while Fast Retailing (Uniqlo’s parent) is edging up 0.4%. Honda is up 0.1%, and Toyota is gaining almost 1%.
Japan’s manufacturing sector continued to contract in March at an accelerated pace, according to the latest Jibun Bank survey.
The manufacturing PMI fell to 48.3 from 49.0 in February, staying below the 50-mark that separates expansion from contraction.
The services sector also slipped into contraction, with the services PMI falling to 49.5 in March from 53.7 in February.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fluctuates amid tariff concerns
Hong Kong stocks traded between gains and losses as investors remained cautious ahead of Trump’s next round of tariffs.
The Hang Seng Index was down 0.24% to 23,633.06, moving between a high of 23,769.27 and a low of 23,531.20. The Hang Seng Tech Index dipped less than 0.1%.
On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index gained 0.3%, while the Shanghai Composite Index edged down less than 0.1%.
China has signaled its readiness to deal with potential trade shocks.
“We have preparations for possible unexpected shocks, which of course mainly come from external sources,” said Premier Li Qiang at the China Development Forum on Sunday.
“Where necessary, the Chinese government will introduce new policies to ensure the smooth operation of the Chinese economy.”
With no clear resolution in sight, market volatility is expected to persist as investors closely watch trade developments and economic data in the coming days.
Other Asian markets
The Australian stock market is trading slightly lower, reversing gains from the past two sessions.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index is down 6.00 points or 0.08% to 7,925.20.
South Korean shares were little changed on Monday as investors reacted to political developments in the country.
The Constitutional Court struck down the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him as acting president, according to local media reports.
The Kospi was down around 0.10% to trade at 2,640.38.
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