Impact of US Tariffs on Asian Markets

Asia-Pacific markets experienced a mostly downward trend on Thursday as investors evaluated the implications of newly imposed US tariffs on European, Mexican, and Canadian imports. While tariffs on EU goods are set at a 25% rate, the implementation of tariffs on Mexico and Canada has been postponed to April 2.

Nvidia's Earnings Surge

In the midst of tariff tensions, Nvidia's impressive earnings report captured the market's attention. The company reported a 78% annual revenue increase to $39.3 billion in the fourth quarter, exceeding expectations and showcasing the tech giant's robust performance.

Market Movements Across Asia

Japan's Nikkei 225 saw a slight increase of 0.27%, contrasting with South Korea's Kospi, which fell by 0.87%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng and mainland China's Shanghai Composite both experienced minor declines, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 ended the day with a modest gain.

The dollar also saw a slight increase against the Japanese yen, trading at 149.3100 at 7:15 am CET.