Market Overview

Investors in the Asia-Pacific region faced a mixed trading session on Wednesday, as they digested the latest corporate earnings and economic indicators. The spotlight remained on the ongoing earnings season, with particular attention to the implications of US tariffs on market dynamics.

Economic Data Highlights

Japan reported a 1.1% decline in industrial production and a 1.2% drop in retail sales for March. Meanwhile, China's manufacturing sector showed signs of contraction, with the NBS manufacturing PMI falling below the critical 50 mark to 49.0 in April. Conversely, the Caixin PMI offered a glimmer of hope, inching up to 50.4. Australia's inflation rate remained steady at 2.4% in March, mirroring the previous month's figures.

Market Movements

By 4:27 am CET, the S&P/ASX 200 in Australia had gained 0.21%, while the US dollar held steady against the Japanese yen at ¥142.3770. Shortly after, South Korea's Kospi and Hong Kong's Hang Seng experienced declines of 0.64% and 0.27%, respectively. Mainland China's markets showed mixed results, with the Shanghai Composite remaining flat and the Shenzhen Composite rising by 0.62%. Japan's Nikkei 225 also saw a modest increase of 0.17%.