Asia-Pacific markets opened mixed on Monday as the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) commenced a crucial two-day policy meeting, with expectations that it will maintain the cash rate at 3.6%, according to a Reuters poll. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) cautioned that the RBA may face increasing challenges compared to prior meetings due to emerging tensions in economic data. In a recent note, CBA highlighted the August Consumer Price Index (CPI), indicating “material upside risks to Q3 inflation,” coupled with a cyclical uptick in activity data. However, signs of softening employment and moderating wage growth were also noted by CBA economists.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 rose by 0.43%, reflecting some buoyancy in local stocks. South Korea’s Kospi gained 1.05%, while the small-cap Kosdaq climbed 0.82%. Conversely, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell by 0.68%, and the Topix slid 1.27% after reaching a record high on Friday. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index futures stood at 26,290, surpassing the last close of 26,128.2.
On the U.S. front, major stock indices rebounded on Friday following the release of essential inflation data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged by 299.97 points, or 0.65%, closing at 46,247.29. The S&P 500 also gained, rising by 0.59% to finish at 6,643.70, while the Nasdaq Composite increased by 0.44%, ending the session at 22,484.07. This boost interrupted a three-day losing streak for the major indices. Nevertheless, the week closed with losses, marking the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500’s first negative week in four, down 0.7% and 0.3%, respectively. The Dow registered a slight decline of 0.2% for the week.
With significant dynamics at play, the upcoming decisions from the RBA and reactions from the financial markets can greatly influence monetary policy and economic trajectories across the Asia-Pacific region. Investors and analysts alike will be closely watching the RBA’s deliberations for insights into future interest rates and economic outlooks. As the global economy navigates inflationary pressures, the implications of these developments resonate far beyond local markets, reinforcing the interconnected nature of today’s financial landscape.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/29/asia-pacific-markets-nikkei-225-kospi-asx-200.html
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Publish Date: 2025-09-29 05:40:00
